The New York herald., 1921-03-28
.GOMPERS SCORES
FOLLOWERS WHO
AID SOVIET CAUSE
DenOunces as Unpatri0tic
Those Who Urge Recogni-
tion of Bolsheviki.
PERIL TO UNION LABOR
.Flatly Refuses to Retract
Views in Sharp Letter
TO Local Bodies.
VICTIMS OF PROPAGANDA
Federation Chief Says Protests
Are Based on Misinformati0n
and Lack Of Facts.
VICTIMS OF PROPAGANDA
b. ne Associated ?, es,.

WtsHINGros, March 27. = Samuel
Goinpers, president of the American
Federation of Labor, to-day denounced
as 'unpatriotic Americans" those labor
leaders who have severely criticised
his refusal 10 indorse the Russian
Soviet Government or to urge its rec
oenition by the United States.
Fiat refusal 10 retract In the slight
est from his position was expressed
by Mr.. Gompers IN $500 word letter
10 the Central Trades Unions of kaIa-
mazoo. Mich. Phoenix, Ariz.; Laramie.
Wyo., and other similar labor organiza-
tions which had adopted resolutions
condemning the present administra-
tion OF the federation for its Russian
stand as subservient to capital and
against the best interests of the work
ers. The action OF these bodies. the
letter said, apparently was based on
conclusions drawn from utter mis-
information" of the true situation in
Russia
I'm the many years have been an
official of the American Federation of
Labor" the letter said. mo document
has been received by me containing
more misinformation or conclusions
based upon such a lack of knowledge
1t is true that l have read much of the
propaganda that is being circulated
through the United States in favor OF
the Bolshevick Government of Russia
and 1t is true that the letter adopted
by the Kalamazoo Trades and Labor
Council gives voice to that propaganda.
Impcriis Labor Movement.
I'm these days it is past understand
ing how American citizens can bring
themselves to aid and comfort propa-
ganda that has for its purpose the
destruction Of the union labor move
ment in America. and the overthrow OF
our republic
The letter quoted from numerous Of
ficial announcements of the Russian
government as to the necessity for
''niitarization OF labor" in order that
masses OF labor should be moved
about. ordered and sent from place TO
place in the same manner as soldiers"
and commented on measures which
Trotzky had taken to force the return
to work of railroad and bank employees
who had voluntarily quit their posi-
tions.
Docs the Kalamazoo Trades and
Labor Council support this programme
for the United States?" Mr.. Gompers
inquired.
The Federation president declared
that "the Communist party in Russia
the real rulers OF that country--num-
bered less that ten thousand members"
That was shown, he said, by the fact
that while each member OF the party
was entitled to an allowance OF two
pounds of bread n day. less than ten
thousand applications for that allow
ance were made 70 the food commits
saire
Assertions OF the Kals mazoo central
body that unemployment in America
would be relieved by lifting the en-
barge on Russia Mr.. Gompers denied
on the ground that there Is no such en-
bargo. and IL there we're. lifting II
would have no material effect on trade
relations.
1T may be news to you that the great
est amount OF American manufactured
articles sent TO Russia, outside OF NUM-
tons, was in 1913" he wrote, and then
they amounted to only $4,000, 900"
No Obstacle 20 Trade
Trade relations with Russia were for
nlslly resumed in JuIy. 1920. the letter
continued, with the removal OF the ON
barge, and to-day there IL no obstacle
in the way OF the Russian people dealing
with the United states as far az the
later is concerned"
Millions of dollars are known to have
been sent from Russia 10 the United
States to pay those who circulate Boil
snevik propa ganda," Mr.. GouIpcrs eaid.
'If those who have consciously or un-
consciously aided In the circulation have
failed TO be rewarded thcy have missed
o. great opportunity for gain. for their
services have been well worth financial
recognition by Lenine and Trotzky.
When the people or Russia elect
representative Government the American
Federation or Labor will be the first to
demand It's recognition"
1t Is understood that about sixty cen
tral labor organize lions and individual
locals have gone on record In more or
Iess heated terms as opposing MIR Com
perss anti Russian policy. At Fedora
ton headquarters small Importance was
attached to this opposition. which was
declared TO represent only o. small per-
cantrne ar tha entire n,enh~rship OF the