The Connecticut labor news., 1921-06-24

The statement of President Com pers and the question of Delegate Michael Mcclure of San Francisco follows:
 Delegate Mcclure: MT Chairman and delegates to this convention; prior to leaving the city of San Fran CISCO anonymous statements were published in regard to the president of the American Federation of Labor in regard to members of the executive council. Those statements were is sued by people who are not connected with the American Federation of La Dor, but are connected with the manufacturers. Some of those state ments were made in regard to the land of my birth. It seems, MT. Chairman and delegates, that prior to this con- vention a number of people in this country not connected with the labor movement and the Irish movement movement and the Irish movement, not for the benefit of Ireland and not for the benefit of the labor move ment. Some of them came to this convention-on somebody's pay roll, I believe-not for the benefit of Ire land but for the benefit of some other kind of isms' that they might gain propaganda for their own ends. Prior to leaving San Francisco I issued that statement. 1 was asked what my atti- tude in regard to the president of the American Federation of Labor on his attitude-in regard to the republic of Irelanu President Gompers has the statement in his possession at the present time. 1 said it was one of the several statements that had been is 41,, ton, and that 1 would withhold my judgement until the president of the American Federation of Labor ex- plained his position on the matter.
 "I also said in that statement that had it not been for the president of the American Federation of Labor the red flag would be floating in many places in this country. l have waited, Mr. Chairman, for your to make that statement Up to the present time that statement has not been made, and in behalf of millions of Irish people in this country and Irish-AmericanS will ask you noW-and not with any thought am 1 arising at this time to create votes for the president of the American Federation of Labor-but ask you to clear up-this matter in the minds of a number of people. uOuSdlluS OI tIl6lIl III lllIS OOuHtI y, who have no respect for this labor movement. I respect this movement, respect the flag of this country, but believe 1t Is due to the labor move ment and to our people in this coun- try that at this time you make a state ment, and in behalf of the people who are here represented from the city of San Francisco, 1 ask you as president of the American Federation of Labor to make a statement on that matter"
 President Gompers answered.:
 "During my entire life, particularly since my connection with the Amer ican labor movement, there has never been a time when my SympathleS and convictions did moi cooperate with the aspirations of the Irish people in Ireland l was associated in the or ganized labor movement of our Coun- try in early days when the struggle in Ireland and all over the world was made for home rule. There was not then living a man of prominence in the home rule movement but with whom l was upon most intimate and cordial and cooperative terms. Whenever the occasion required that should go to Europe l visited Ire land and paid tribute to the martyrs and the heroes and the statesmen of Ireland in defense of their own coun- try. Of course that was practically Continued on Page Eight.)