New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-06-24
Hearst Traitor
To Freedom.
Says Co1npers
Editor Is Branded ON Floor
of Federation Convention
am Enemy of Unionism
and of Ireland's Fight
Applause Creets Speech
Proposal To Ask Legislation
to Take War Making Pow
er From Congress Is Lost

DENVER, June 23.-William Ran
dolph Hearst was denounced on the
floor of the American Federation of
Labor to-day by President Samuel
Gompers as "traitor to the cause Of
America, to the cause of freedom, an
enemy of labor and of Ireland"
The statement, together with many
other denunciatory remarks regarding
Hearst made by President Gompers in
reply to a question from the floor as
to his stand on the Irish question, was
applauded.
The veteran labor leader declared
that Hearst had attacked him because
he had declined to be chained to his
mad chariot for the Presidency of the
United States," and because he had
tried TO "see to it that Mexico shall 60
undiSturbed and not be overrun by the
American forces"
Defining his stand on the irish cues
ton, President Gompers declared that
he had carried out every declaration of
the Federation extending sympathy and
ala 20 Ihe irish republic.
Not "a Play for Votes
"The only real charge against ME is,
and | plead guilty to it, that l have
not freed Ireland" he said,
when the American Federation Of
Labor declared that policies be pur-
suad, even if they drove men to iail
DID not falter in the fight or in the
faitll.n
President Gompers expressed regret
that he had to discuss this matter be-
fore ths election of officers.
Mr.. Gompers asked the delegates not
to misunderstood his remarks as a
play for votes,' adding.
II wouldn't stoop to ask men to vote
for or support me in any position. In this
position as representative and spokes-
man, or at least spokesman for part of
the American Federation of Labor, l
must be able to hold up my head and
say to any man yes or mo-
"No organization has received any
special favors or support, not even my
own, in preference over any other or
ganization. have tried to do my full
duty without regard to the consequence
to myself, and with impartiality."
The labor leader declared Hearst had
conducted campaign against him
through his newspapers and publica-
tions and had "combed Chicago to get
some respectable trade unionists to
say something against me without sue
cess"
"COuld Not See Him.
In declaring that he had declined to
support Hearst for the Presidency, Mr..
Gompers said:
"He tried to chain me to his chariot
for the Presidency and, to speak the
language of the street, Il could not see
him. and frankly told him so.'
The labor leader declared he would
do all in his power to prevent Hearst
from having the United States and its
military forces go into Mexico and
plant our flag there and never take it
down"
Referring to his former reply to al
legged attacks made by Hearst upon him
and upon his associates who were of
foreign birth, Mr.. Gompers said:
"When he questioned our loyalty or
our right to speak for American labor
on the ground that we were. not born
here, / answered him by saying some-
thing like this: i am willing that the
government or the people of the United
States shall decide, between you and
me as to who was more loyal to the
United States in it's greatest hour of
danger"
Many times during his address Presi-
dent Gompers was compelled to pause
until demonstrations of delegates had
subsidized. He was cheered repeatedly,
and many times delegates arose from
their seats to lead the ovation.
Vote on War Proposal
The convention voted down proposal
calling for an amendment to the Con-
stitution of the United States taking
the power of declaring war from Con-
gress and placing it in the hands of the
people through referendum vote.
The official roll call showed 21,742
tcontinned on page three)