The Washington times., 1921-06-03
LAYSA. FL.
POL|T|C To
G0NPERS
Ryan Says Participation In
Campaigns Hurt Whole Trade
Union Movement.

Because he dared to oppose Sam
uel Gompers' dragging of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor into politics
and because he openly fought during
a convention of the federation for an
Endorsement of the movement for
freedom for ireland, and secured it,
p. ]. Ryan, former editor of the Plate
Printer and one of the organized
labor leaders in Washington, was
forced out of labor circles.
RYAN OUTsPoKEN,
This is the charge made by Ryan.
who Is a member of tho local bar,
against the president Of the American
Federation OF Labor.
Il am In thorough agreement with
the movement 20 remove Samuel
Gompers from the presidency of the
federation" Ryan said today. because
I believe his deposition would make
for the good of the labor movement
and the betterment OF economic con-
ditions throughout the United states.
"MT. Gompers has made many mis-
takes, but he cut short the days OK
his usefulness when he dragged the
American labor movement into tho
mRtlstrom Of politics during the last
campaign. 1t goes without saying,
and language cannot disguise the
fact. that he lined himself up with
President Wilson and the League OF
Nations and the Democratic party.
49, did everything in his power, both
in and out Of the labor movement, TO
perpetuate wisconsin in this country
and this Notwithstanding the fact
has ha 90 N
Federation OF Labor expressly pro-
vides that party politics shall have
no place In that organization.
"That provision has been one Of
the main sources of strength OF the
federation. and any effort to drag the
organization into the political fie,d
can only result in lessening ITS
dignity and decreasing Its power"
MUST EsCHEw POLITICS.
"I feel sure that the forthc 0minC c
convention, whether Mr.. Gompers j.
removed or not, will resent the
activities of Mr.. Gompers politically
and that II will make known in Sorre
way that II the labor movement rs
to maintain its strength and eff.
| ciency, It must not enter the field
OF politics.
81 have entered a suit against Mr.
Gompers and thru members Of TIE
| Plate Printers Union for civil cor.
| spiracy. This suit was filed bv ray
attorney, Edwin A. Mooers, of this
city. in October, 1920.
Mr.. Gompers will tolerate no man
In the labor movement who does not
dance to the music of his making, and
| found myself out of harmony with
him on three separate occasions.
THE first OF these was Mr.. Comp
ers' refusal to protect the plate print
ing industry in this country, when he
| was practically ordered to do so at
the San Francisco convention of the
A. f. OF L. in 1918.
"He did not support the Holder
resolution or the Carlin bill. which
was to protect the plate printing in
| dustry, and the plate printers of New
York, who print the money OF the
| twenty-one South American republics
| However, in spite of his silence and
| inactivity, the Carlin bill. introduced
by Charles C.lCarlin, former member
OF Congress from Virginia. was in
troduced by the Judiciary Committed
Of the House of Representatives OF
the siXty-fourth Congress.
"It Is hard to understand Mr.. Comp
ers' habit of mind in regard to the
Csrlin bill, when It was for the pro
lection OF union labor as opposed tc
non-union and alien labor.
CITES 1919 CONVENTION.
The second occasion was when
| attended the convention of the A
| F. OF L. as visitor at Atlantic
| City In 1919; did so as the repre-
sentative of the PRdriac II. Peac'
branch Of the Friends of Irish Free
dom. The Friends OF Irish Freedom
at that time was anxious to secur,
an Endorsement of self determine
tion for the Irish people.
"Mr Gompers was wholly out o
sympathy with any movement o
! that kind, and would not wear
| Sim Fein badge, although it deco
rated the breasts OF 9s per cent. o
the delegates. was responsible 70
4 frontInu.d an n,r. = Coluunn Al