Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-06-22
GOMPERS' FRIENDS
CLAIMING VICTORY
Lewis Boom Slumps When Gar
ment Workers Switch to
Veteran Leader
MINERS DESERVING CHIEF
BY the Associated Press

Denver, Col. June 22.-Thc John
l.. Lewis boom for the presidency Of
the American Federation of Labor to-
day took slump.
Under instructions from their cxccu-
tive board, the delegates of the Ladies'
Garment Workers switched their 0il
votes from the Mine Workers prcsi-
dent to Samuel Gompers.
The three delegates of the United
Mine Workers commanding 1896 votes
were also reported to have deserted
their leader for Gompers. Frank Far
rington. president of the Illinois Mine
Workers district. who has already an
nounced his opposition to Lewis. was
reported on his way back TO Denver
from Illinois, where he had been called
on business.
Lewis Men Still Hopeful
While the Lewis supporters admitted
that their own delegation would be
split, they claimed sufficient votes had
been pledged by the metal trades, the
road organizations the NIuchinists'
Union and the Carpenter and Joiners,
to elect their candidate. Their lineup
gave them approximately 10000 of the
3S, 20l votes in the convention.
GompcrS supporters were claiming
the railway carmen, railway clerks and
electrical wOrkcrS-thrcc of the largest
railroad organizations. The bOiicrmak 4
crS, all the printing trades and the
Federal employees unions, the building
trades organizations. with the exception
of the carpenters and the mOulders'
unions. wee also listed as supporting
the veteran labor chief.
The Amalgamnted Association of
Iron. Steel and Tin Workers and thr
Mine, mill and smclter workers have
dCftly been placed in the Lewis column.
Gcmpers Boomers See Victory
The Gompers boomers declared that
they were sure of at least 30. COO votes
nearly 10000 more than needed TO
, win.
Labor leaders who were watching
closely the vote mancuverlng. declared
that the contest may be 50 close that
the 2l4 votes of the State central
bodies, trade and Federal labor unions
and fratcrnai organizations may decide
the winner.
While CUmpaigncrs of both candidates
were at work the Irish question was
before the convention and bitter fight
WAS being wagcd by group of Irish
sympathizcrS to have a resolution pro-
viding for II boyCot: by American or
gani2cd labor Of British made products
and British concerns. They were OPP
posed by another group whose rcsolu-
tlon expressing sympathy for the Irish
cause was reported favorably by the
Resolutions Committee.
Boycott Resolution Urged
The supporters OF the boycott resolu
ton. which they declared was the "of-
fetal resolution of the Irish Republic, "
made public ut the opening of the con
vcntion the following telegram from
Frank p. Walsh, counsel for the Irish
Republic:
still in hospital at Baltimore. but
in constant communication with Harry
Boland" (sccretary to Eamon dc Na-
lera. Provisional President of the Irish
| Republic at New York;. I'VE are in
thorough agreement that tho only Of
| fcctivr help that labOr can give Ireland
at this moment is the strongest boy =
| rUtt resolution.
THE statement that any of us are
debating or demanding anything of the
convention is utterly fulsc. but we do
make earnest appeal to the delegates for
! the only effective aid they can render
| ireland at this time. which is the pro
! posed boycott resolution.