Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-06-27
Gompers' Victory
Pledses Capital
Continued from Page One

been radicnl-probably would not--hut
they would have meant a change. and
no one wishes to face change just
now.
The fight upon Gompers was. in cs-
sence, a masked movement. For years
there has been a radical minority in the
Federation which has brought forward
radical candidates against Gompers.
These radical efforts have failed time
after time. II is significant of the con-
servative tendencies of today that even
the left wing Of labor this year thought
fit TO oppose Gompers with conserva-
tive.
Gompers and Lewis Similar
There is no essential difference be-
tween Gompers in action and Lewis in
action, but Lewis is somewhat more aC-
ceptable TO the left wing Of labor be-
cause he is the head Of an industrial
Union-the mine workers-instead of
trade union like Gompers. of the cigar
makers. and because he is more pleas
ant than Gompers.
Lewis, to make sure Of his radical
support at Denver. was forced 10 stand
upon broad platform favoring not only
naturalization Of railroads and mines.
but also old age pensions. health insur-
This revealed some Of the radicalism
behind him.
His defeat was due partly 10 the con-
servatism Of the smaller unions strongly
intrenched around Gompers. and partly
10 the split in his own union, which
gave a large minority of it's support TO
Gompers. But the real weakness OF
the movement for him was the failure Of
the left wing OF labor to develop able
leaders. The ablest Of the more ad-
vanced labor leaders are either outside
the federation or being made inside it.
cannot unite any considerable section in
their support.
The left wing is divided into factions,
has no definite program and sought this
year what was really a timid compro-
mise-a conservative candidate upon n
platform of generalitics. II was sig
nally defeated.
Not Likely TO Try II Again
II will hardly repeat the experiment
OF this year of trying 10 reach power
behind a weak and plant conservative.
That road is definitely barred while
Gompers lives
Bnt the issue will arise soon, for
Gompers' control cannot last long. lie
is seventy -one years old and stands
for an industrial order that is passing
When he lays down the reins, an effort
vii be made to have him succeeded
by Matthew Woll. the aheSt of the
small union leaders associated with him.
Then the big fight will come. whether
the big industrial unions with their
national outlook or the small trade
unions. are TO control the federation
The reelection Of GompcrS probably
postpon"s the issue until GompprS dies
or fails in health Nothing * in sight
which threatens his power. The oppo-
sition is developing no commanding
personality. II is full Of ra IousicS
Even the individual big unions are dis
united, az tn" split Inv Lewis own
combination of iron workers indicated.
The conservative tendency Of the time,
shown also in the killing off Yesterday
of the communistiC resolutions BY the
Socialist National Convention at Den
YER, will operate against changes in the
organization or policy of organized
labor
Gompers continued as leader means
marking time. Conditions are unfavor.
able 10 strikes, 81 that GOmnerS can
make little use Of labOr'S one wpnnon
Politically. GompPrS has less infu-
enCe than ut any time in twenty years.
Public opinion Is hostile. or NJ least
critical, and rs GompcrS i "pporDuni'.t
enough TO bow 70 public opinion. n Do.
riod of industrial peace appears to he
indicated