Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-06-27
THE FEDERATION ELECTION.

Samuel Gonpers scored another psrsonal triumph
u his reelection as president of the American Fedora
tnn OF Labor at the Denver convention. Mr.. Gompers
hAs been elected and reelected 30 often that he has be-
ceane an institution almost equal with the Organization
ssosh. of which he has so long been the guiding spirit.
Il IS difficult at this distances to estimate accurately
tAA character of the work done at this convention, and
to draw from it satisfactory conclusions as to the trend
OF tendencies within the labor movement There has
oeen TOR years within that body the irreconci1able con-
fHct between sober constructrveness and extreme radical
Ism Both these elements have been in evidence in all
OF the recent conventions, the one at Denver included.
On the floor Of the convention and in the committees.
enefe mas been constantly in progress the struggle be-
tween these Two elements for the domination over the
affairs of the great body Of organized labor, and at times
1t has seemed that the federation was destined to pass
entirely from the control Of the constructive men who
have built 1t and to have become the instruments of de-
struction and dizntegration wherever tts influence was
felt. That probability stood out strongly IN the last pre-
cedtng convention; but it seems fair to conclude from
the proceedings at Denver that this tendency has been
checked, at least in some measure
The repeated reelection az Mr.. Gompers is not to
Be INTERPRETED as a continued acceptance for the doctrines
Tor which he stands. He has been supported for re-
election at several conventions by men who were en-
tiresy out OF sympathy with his policies, but who recog-
niaed the strength OF the man and who perhaps felt 1t
hopeless to contest his supremacy. This years conven-
ton has gone on record as favorinE some policies which
Gonnpers opposes; chief among them being that of the
government ownership Of railroads. Gouapefs has never
been in favor of this. and is not now. As the omcial
given him in causing to be framed proposals for legisla-
ton intended to carry out this program. In many other
respectsl the convention supported not only the person
atty OF Goupers, but the policies to which he h commit
ted. In spite OF most strenuous Efforts Of aetive and
skilled agttatorH the convention has repudtated the sm-
tire body Of radicaltsrn represented IN the Third inter-
national at Moscow and has refused to give is approval
to such movements n those for Unemployment Insurance
and similar policies which have been opposed by COM
pcs and those who have been chiefly associated With
him In the management Of the federation.
s&. It mama clear that If II hA1 not hAen for GonnoAfk
ths federation would long stnes have plunged mp to thu
mack In sradtcalhm. It needed the influence Of q strong
man to prevent this calamity, and the fact that Com
pWs has been even partially successful In preventing this
reGn9t, n evidence Of the influence that even one man.
II he be = strong constructive man, can WELD. There IL
a moral in this which other men may do well to heed.
The labor movement has suffered not alone from the>a
tivity Of the malignant elements which are contained in
It, but from the inactivity of those whose tendencies are,
right, but have neglected to assert themselves. In this
the labor movement Is similar to almost every great pub
lie movement which we have; and as In the labor move
ment, 30 in relation to other public affairs it behooves
men to realize the Importance Of sanity and sound judg-
ment, and to bestir themselves so that the affairs Of the
nation may not be permitted to go by default.