Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-03-28
LEADERS
BOOSTING HEM
ARE DENOUNCED
A. F. Of l.. Head Brands
His Critics as Unpats
riotic Americans.
Their Attitude Based
on Utter Misinforrna-
tion,'' He Declares.

Washington. March 27.-(By the
Associated Press) Samuel Gompers
president Of the American Federation
of Labor, Sunday denounced as "un-
patriotic Americans those labor lead
ers who have severely criticised his
refusal to indorse the Russian soviet
government or to urge its recoxni-
ton by the United States.
Flat refusal to recede in the slight
est from his position was expressed
by MIR. Gompers in a 900 word letter
to the central trades unions Of Kala-
mazoo Mich: Phoenix. Ariz.; Laramie,
sWyo. and oth,r similar labor Orxaniza-
tions which had adopted resolutions
condemning the present administration
Of the federation because of its Rus
sian stand as against the best interest
of the workers. The action Of these
bodies. the letter said, apparently was
based on conclusions drawn from utter
misinformation' Of the true situation
in Russia.
To Destroy Unions.
In the many years / have been an
official of the American Federation
of Labor the letter said mo docu-
ment has been received BY me contain
ing more misinformation or conclu-
sions based upon such lack of knowl-
edge. 1t Is true that have read much
OF the propaganda that is being Grcu-
lated throughout the United States in
Russia. and it is true that the letter
adopted by the Kalamazoo trades and
labor council gives voice to that propa-
ganda.
In these days it is past understand
ing how American citizens can bring
themselves to aid end comfort a prop
aganda that has for its purpose the
destruction of the trade labor move
lnent in America and the overthrow
of our republic"
Quotes From Trotzky.
The letter quotes from numerous
official announcements Of the Russian
government as to the necessity for
''miiitarization of labor" in order that
masses of labor should be moved
about. ordered and sent from placei
to place in the same manner as soI-.
diers.' and commented on measures,
which Trotzky had taken to force the
return to work of railway and banki
employees who had voluntarily" quit
their positions.
Does the Kalamazoo trades and
labor council support this program for
the United States?" Mr.. Gompers in,
quired.
The federation president declared
that ''the communist party in Russia
the real rulers of that country
numbered less than ten thousand
members"
Greater Trade YaaP.
Assertion of the Kalamazoo 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
embargo and If there were. lifting i.
would have no material effect on trade
relations.
'lf may be news to you that the
greatest amount of American manu-
factured articles sent Russia, outside
of munitions, was in 1913" he wrote,
"and then amounted to only $40,
OOO.O0o."
Trade relations with Russia were
formally resumed in July. 1920. the
letter continued. with the removal ot
the embargo, and today "there il no
obstacle in the way of the Russian
people dealing with the United States
as far as the latter is concerned 80
Answers so Bedlss.
when the people of Russia elect
a representative government. the
American Federation Of Labor win b.
the first to demand its recognition
Mr. Gompers said.
It is understood that about dxty
central labor organizations and indi-
vidual locals have gone on record n
more or less heated terms 40 opposing
Mr.. Gompers' anti Russian policy. Az
federation headquarters small import
ance was attached to this oppoSition.
which was declared to represent only
a small percentage Of the entiro mem
bership of the organisation.