Omaha daily bee., 1921-06-26
Compers Again
Elected Head
OF Federation
John L. Lewis Of Miners I'm.
ion, His Only Opponent,
Fails to Poll Strength
He Claimed.
CONTINUED From Page Ons.)

(COntluue0 FROM rage Onesl
their seats unmoved by the urgings
OF fellow delegates.
This was the first time that Com.
pers had been seriously opposed
since 1894, when he was defeated by
John Mcbride, a mine worker. at a
convention in this city, but he was
returned to Office the following year.
On Verge of Tears.
When his victory was announced
the labor leader, who is now II
years old, could scarcely control his
emotions and was on the verge OF
tears when he took his place at the
rostrum to thank the delegates for
their support and confidence, and de-
claring that MY election will bring
no comfort to Gary or Hearst"
Lewis, of the mine workers, arose
from his place at the rear of the hall
and declared in stirring address
that he accepted the verdict of the
American Federation OF Labor with
out the slightest tinge OF enmity in
my mind" adding:
II have used no dishonorable
methods in my efforts to realize my
aspiration for the presidency.
II have not been the candidate OF
William Randolph Hearst. l do not
know the man.
II stand more than ever before
with the great trade union movement
OF America and my voice and ability
shall always be given to making the
American labor movement greater
than ever before"
Lewis Gets Ovation.
He was given tremendous ova-
ton as he concluded his speech.
The official roll call showed that
only five organizations voted solidly
for the mine workers leader. They
were the United Brotherhood of Car
penters and Joiners, international
Association of Machinists, Mine Mill
and Smelter Workers, Tailors and
the Draftsmen's union.
The Mine Workers delegation split
their vote-Frank Harrington, prcsi-
dent. OF the Illinois district; Robert
Harlan, president of the Washington
district, and Alexander Howat, presi-
dent of the Kansas district United
Mine. Workers, casting their total
votes of 1896 for Gompers.
Lewis, who as a delegate held 593
votes, did not cast his ballot.
The railroad organizations, which
were reported to have backed the
Lewis boom, failed to support him,
two Of the largest unions--Electrical
Workers and Railway Carmen-vot-
ing solidly for Gompers. The build
ing trades unions and majority of
the metal working organizations also
supported the labor chief.
]. Mahlon Barnes of Chicago, Of
the Cigar Makers union of which
Gompers is a member, cast his 68th
votes for Lewis.
Hottest in History.
The election of Gompers brought
to close one of the hottest political
campaigns ever waged in the history
of organized labor. The campaign
ing had gone on relentlessly since
the convention opened and at times
proceedings on the floor of the con-
vention were interrupted by the elec-
tioneering. 4
Charges and counter charges were
hurled back and forth by both sides.
Early in the campaign reports were
published that certain anti-Gompcrs
interests were operating among the
delegates with 100000 "slush fund"
Efforts to bring about an investiga-
ton of these charges failed. At no
time, however, did these charges in
volve the Lewis supporters, as they
were all made against persons outside
the ranks of organized labor.
William J. Spencer of Washington,
D. c.. secretary of the buildings |
trade department, and James G. For
rester of Washington were elected
fraternal delegates to the British
trade union congress. Peter ]. Brady
OF New York, who was nominated,
withdrew his name.
John O'Hara of Danbury, Conn.,,
was selected as fraternal delegate to
the Canadian trades and labor con-
gress.
Cincinnati, o., was selected tor the |
site of the next convention over Fort
Worth, Tex, by vote of 22,482 to
1422l.
Daniel J. Tobin of indianapolis was
reelected treasurer and Frank Nor
rison of Washington was reelected
secretary. Jacob Fischer of In
and Matthew Woll of Chi
cago were reelected seventh and