New-York tribune., 1921-03-28
Gonnpers Hits ,
Critics of His
Russian Policy
Denounces as sUnpatriotic
Americana Labor Leaders
Who Have Condemned Re-
fusal to Urge Recognition.
Won't Retract His Stand
Attacks, He Says in 2,50O-
Word Letter, Are Based
on Utter Misinformation'

WASHINGTON. March 27 (By The
Associated Press) Samuel Gompers,
president Of the American Federation
OF Labor. to-day denounced as Gun
patriotic Americans" those labor lead
ers who have severely criticized his re-
fusal to indorse the Russian Soviet gov
ernment or to urge its recognition by
the United States.
Flat refusal 60 retract in the slight
ese from mis- position was expressed by
Mr.. Gompers in a $500 word letter to
the Central Trades unions of Kala.
mazoo, Mich; Phoenix, Arix.; Laramie.
Wyo,' a9d other similar labor organiza-
tlons which had adopted resolutions
condemning the present administra
tlon 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 misin
Russia 4"
I'm the many years l have been IN
offcial of the American Federation Of
Labor. the letter said, mo document
mas been received by me containing
more. misinformation or conclusions
based upon such lack of KNOWLEDGE
IL is true that l have read much of The
propaganda that is being circulated
throughout the United States in favor
OF the Bolshevik government of Russia.
ana 1t IS true that the letter adopted
Oy the kalamazoo Trades and Labor
ooohcli gives voice to that propaganda.
Sees Menace to Republic
In these days it is past understand
ing now American citizens can brine
themselves to aid and comfort a propa-
ganda that, has for its purpose the de-
struction of the trade labor movement
in America and the overthrow Of orr
republic"
The letter quoted from numerous
omclai announcements of the Russian
government as to the necessity for
"militarization 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. =
ana 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. p'''-
Does the Kalamazoo Trades and La
Dor Council support this program for
the United States?' Mr.. Gompers in
quired. -"
The Federation president declared
tnat the Communist party in Russia
the real rulers Of that country-num-
bered less than 10000 members" This
was shown, he said, by the fact that
while each member of the party was en-
titled to an allowance of two pounds of
bread day, less than 10000 applica-
tions for that allowance were made tn
the food commissaire. "
Assertions 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
weuid have no material effect on trade
relations
1T may be news to you that the
greatest amount of American manu-
factured articles sent to Russia. out.
side OF munitions, was in 1915" he
$40, ,oo0,0 ,00o." ~ W '"'S
Trade relations with Russia were
formally resumed in July, 1920, the let
Ter continued, with the removal of the
embargo, and to-day ''there is no oh
stacle in the way of the Russian peonIe
dealing with the United States as far
as the latter is concerned"
Millions for Propaganda
Millions of dollars are known to
have been sent from RussM to the
oHiIeo oVateS 10 pay those who cir
culate Bolshevik propaganda" Mr..
Gompers said. eff those who have
consciously or unconsciousiy aided in
the circulation have failed to be re-
warded they have missed great op-
portunity for gain, for their services
have been we'll worth financial recoe-
milton by Lenine and Trotzky.
"When the people of Russia elect
representative government the Amer
ican Federation of Labor will be the
first to demand it's recognition"
1t is understood that about sixty
central labor organizations and indi-
vidual locals have gone on record in
more or less heated terms as opposing
Mr.. Gomperss anti-Russian policy. At
Federation headquarters little impor-
tance was attached to this opposition
which was declared to repre- sent only
small percentage of the entire mem
bership of the Federation.