The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-21
.C0MPERS FACES I
REAL BATTLEF0R
FED. LEADERSHIP
Chief of Miners Union Threat.
ems His Defeat.
Only Defeat Handed Gompers
Was by Miner.
LEWIS CLAIMS BIG GAIN
Steel Workers, Carpenters and
Women Join Him.
Kansas Labor Court Is Con.
demned Again.

OenVer, June ll.-The Kansas IN
dustrial court law was again con-
demned by the American Federation
of Labor here today. The convention
unanimously approved the report OF
the executive council condemning the
Industrial court plan.
History flowed toward the mould of
repetition today as the new order chal-
lenged the old in organized labor.
Samuel Gompers, who directed the
destinies of the American Federation
of Labor for thirty-nine years, faced
today his second serious challenge for
leadership at convention in Denver.
In 1894 Gompers was defeated for
! president of the federation at con-
vention in Denver by John Mcbride.
mine worker.
In the contest for the office today
| the only time since the 1894 defeat
| that Gompers's position as head of the
labor movement has been seriously
| threatened-his opponent is a coal
miner, John L. Lewis.
Lewis Won Big Fight
Lewis came to the front in the la
Dor union movement during the coal
miners strike of 1919. Driving and
| fighting his way ahead, he rode rough-
shod over the determined opposition
of the federal government to prevent
! the strike. The settlement gave to
! miners the increased wages which
Lewis had sought.
| The support which each of these
two leaders draws from the conven-
ton delegates is in conformity with
their methods of working The con-
servative, slow moving. old represent
tations. are standing back of Gompers.
Lewis has drawn the support of the
younger. fighting delegations. such as
miners.
(, The federation convention TODAY
approved portions of the executive
tesuHcils report providing for the fol-
lowing: Continuing the committee on
1 education. Supporting wor.. of the
/ federal trade commission. Opposfng
trading in futures and approving CO.
! operative buying and selling organiza-
tions to defeat the high cost of living.
Opposing fixed wages of adult males
by legislation.
Both Are Confident.
Campaigners for both Lewis and
Gompers are working at top speed
To-Day. Supporters of the candidates
] were busy thruout the night and con-
ferences were held that are reported
to have considerably changed the line
up OF both sides in the contest.
Both candidates expressed them
selves as confident of victory, declar-
ing that they had been pledger suffi-
4 cfent votes to win. Their claims how
ever, conflicted, and no accurate esti-
mate could be made of the votes that
each probably would receive.
4 Official announcement of the deci-
sion of the representatives of the rail-
road workers was awaited with in
terest, as both the Gompers and Lewis
supporters claimed a majority of these
organizations. The electrical workers
and the International Ladies' Garment
Workers were also claimed by both
candidates.
The Lewis supporters today added
the Amalgamated Association of Iron.
Steel and Tin WNrkers, mine, mill
and smelter workers and railway car
men, and nearly $50 single votes of
state and central bodies to their list.
which already includes the machinists
union. Mine workers and carpenters
and toiners' union. the three largest to
the federation. have a combined vot-
ing strength of 1854.
Car2enters Back Lewis.
The carpenters union was the larg-
est delegation reported to have Joined
the railroad workers, machinists. coal
| miners and the women garment
workers in supporting Lewis. The
candidates hackers worked all night
lining up more support for their man.
| A careful canvass of the vote today
| showed on the surface that Lewis still
lacked at least six thousand of the
| nineteen thousand votes needed to win
over the veteran leader. Samuel
: GOmpers.
i Many union leaders hesitated to de-
sert Gompers, who has headed their
| organization for thirty-nine years.
They realized that defeat now would
be serious blow to the man who has
given most. of his mature life to or
ganized labor.
VIII Vote on Friday.
| Lewis men realized the great senti-
ment they must overcome IL their man
is to win. But with three days left
they hoped to be able to unite all fac
tions opposing Gompers.
The work of the convention was
speeded up today in order to clear the
way for the election Friday and pos
sibly adjournment Saturday Never
: theless, clectioneering proceeded al
, high speed on the floor while routine
business was being transacted.
The Irish question was still held IN
. committee, its members being unable
TO agree on recOmmenda tiOnS.