The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-06-25
Gompers' Name Cheered.

GOmpeES Name CneeIcVs
The first name submitted as .
candidate for the presidency was
that of President Samuel GOmpers,
who was nominated in an eulogix-
ing speech by George Perkins OF
Chicago, president of the Cigar
makers union.
A demonstration OF several min
utes greeted the announcement OF
Mr.. Gompers' name. A number OF
delegates jumped to their feet and
cheered, but scores Of others re-,
manned quietly in their seats,
Iaverting a stampede in behalf OF
! the veteran labor leader.
When William Green, secretary
OF the United Mine Workers. mount
ed the platform to nominate John
L. Lewis, he was given an enthus-
iastic ovation.
Denver, Colo, June 25.-(By
United Press.)-Samuel Gompers,
overcoming bitter opposition, was
reelected president of the Ameri-
can Federation Of Labor today for
his 40th term.
The veteran labor leader won
over John L. Lewis Of the coal
miners union, who put up a siren
uous fight for leadership.
Lewis was unable to overcome
the handicap of the veterans
strong sentimental hold, which
Gompers obtained on the labor
movement by nearly two score
wears of administration.
Scene Is Dramatic.
The vote was taken amid dra-
matte scenes in the auditorium.
The galleries were packed with
supporters of both factions. The
floor of the convention hall was
crowded with spectators. Dele
gates applauded every vote as It
was announced.
i 1t was the first time that Com
pers has been strenuously opposed
since 1894. when he was defeated
for the presidency by another
miner. Gompers won the position
back the next year, however.
Victory for Conservatives.
Gompers, triumph was an en-
, dorsement by representatives OF Or
ganized labor of America OF his ad-
, ministration and approval OF his
, slow moving, cautious methods, IN
: preference to the swift, spectacu-
lar driving methods of Lewis.
Gompers was given a tremen.
dous ovation as the vote was an
Inounced. The 71-year-old labor
: leader could scarcely control hi
+ emotions.
: Lewis polled slightly more thar
10000 votes, while Gompers Wal
p given approximately $4,000. A
delegation after delegation cast IT
vote for the Grand Old Man Of La
y bor," they cheered each vote as cas-
: for him.
k Lewis own delegation was badl,
r split. He got 2,129 OF the miners
II vote while 1886 cast their ballot
d for Gompers.
e @Grand Old Man" In Tears
- When the vote was announce
there was a tremendous roar fror
the floor and delegates called 10
Gompers. With tears in his eye
he stood up to start his speech.
He said:
Whatsoever favor has come
. me in previous elections took sim
4 ply as a call to duty. There va
| little il any qualification In it. tt
source Of my qualification is NJ
in the fact that defeated Delegal
Lewis.
= .aThe source of qualification
me in this case comes from the fa
that newspaper mud-slinging m
chine cannot control the America
labor movement
~ No ~Comfort to Hearst
he, my election will bring no COZ
e fort to Gary or to Hearst
nj "The voice Of labor / will int
pret as best can, come what ma
IT. II will speak in no minor r.
a whether it be to a Gary. q preside
zee or any or all Of the newspaper
When Gompers had completed
lid speech Lewis rose In his place
1.-The rear OF the hall.
M Lewis said there was no III e
ing or rancor In his mind.