The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1921-06-25
VETERAN LABOR
LEADER VICTOR
OVER ]. L. LEWIS
Big Demonstration Greets Men.
ton of GOmpers Name at
Convention
LEWIS is ALSO CHEERED
First Serious Opposition Of
G0mpers in Many Years
For Post
LEWIS is ALSO CHEERED

Denver, June Is. Samuel
Gompers, veteran leader of or
ganized labor, again was elected
president of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor in the annual
convention here. Mr.. Gompers
defeated John L. Lewis for the
post. 1t was the first serious
opposition offered to Mr.. Comp
ers in many years.
The vote was 25,O22 to 1924.
Only ow of the largest organiza-
tions cast a vote solid for Lewis-the
machinists' union and the United
Brotherhood of Carpenters.
The miners delegation split their
vote, giving Gompers, 1856 and Lewis
2,l32. President Lewis declined to
vote the 30 votes he held.
The railroad vote, which had been
claimed almost solidly by Lewis sup
porters, split The two largest unions
the electrical workers and the rail-
way car men-cast their entire vote
to Gompers.
Commends Veteran.
Mr.. Parkins commended the veteran
labor leader as man with wonder
1ul intuition and faith Of matchless
knowledge, fearless courage; who
took a rope of sand and made It the
strongest and most formidable eco
nomic movement in the entire world.
Under his fearless leadership you
have no cause for fear from the open
shop movement and other hostile
drives" declared the speaker, adding:
mo man in the United tates Is more
lied about and abused than the presi-
dent of the American Federation of
Labor. Whq? Because this man has
accomplished something. He has
shone Incompatible and wonderful
ability and constructive force"
GOmpers' Statement. .'.s,.
am sure that my election will
bring no comfort to Gary or to
Hearst" said President Gompers in
responding to cries from delegates for
Il speech.
This Is demonstration to the
whole world" he added, "that chain
OF newspapers owned by multi-mil-
lionaire with his mud-slinging ma
chine cannot control the American
Federation of Labor"
The first name submitted as can
didate for the Presidency was that
of President Samuel Gompers, who
was nominated in an eulogizing
speech by George Perkins, of Chicago,
president of the Cigarmakers' Union.
A demonstration of several min
utes duration greeted the announce
ment of Mr.. Gompers' name by Mr..
Perkins at the close Of his address.
A number of delegates jumped to
their feet and cheered while scores of
others remained quietly in their seats
averting d, stampede in behalf of the
veteran labor leader.
When William Green, secretary of
the United Mine Workers., mounted
the platform to nominate John L.
Lewis, president of the United Mine
Workers of America, he was given an
ovation.
Convention in UprOar.
The convention in its first night
session last night, disposed of the
question of future relations with the
federation of trades
unions and the recognition of the
Russian soviet government.
Almost riotous scenes marked both
actions of the convention which up
held the action of the executive
council in severing relations with the
European labor movement and in con-
demning the Russian soviet govern
ment. Defenders on both the inter-
national federation and the Russian
soviet were annoyed by speaking and
rafting of chairs and jostling of