The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-03-28
'COMPERS FAILS.
CRITICS OF HIS.
RUSSIAN POLICY.
In Letter to CensurerS DenOunc-
es Them as "UnpatriOtic
Americans
REFUSES TO RECEDE
FROM STAND TAKEN
Says Criticism Based on COnclu-
siOns Drawn from Utter
MisinfOrmatiOn."
(ey The Associated Press.1

WASHINGTON, March 27. Samuel
Gompers, president of the American
Federation of Labor, denounced as ''un-
patriotic Americans" those labor leaders
who have severely criticised his refusal
to endorse the Russian soviet govern
ment, or to urge its recognition by the
United States.
Flat refusal to recede in the slightest
from his position was expressed by Mr.
Gompers in a 1900 word letter to the
Central Trades Unions of Kalamazoo,
Michigan, Phoenix, Arizona, Laramie,
Wyoming, and other similar labor
ganizations, which had adopted resolu-
tions condemning the present admins
tration of the federation because of its
Russian stand, as subservient to capi-
tai and against the best interests of
the workers. The action of these bodies,
the letter said, apparently was based
on conclusions drawn from utter mis-
information" of the true situation in
Russia.
I'm the many years l have been an
official of the American Federation of
Labor" the letter said, mo document
has been received by me containing
more misinformation or conclusions based
upon such lack @of knowledge. 1t is
true that 1 have read much of the
propaganda that is being circulated
throughout the United States in favor of
the bolshevik government of Russia and
it is true that the letter adopted by
the Kalamazoo trades and labor council
gives voice to that propaganda.
Would Destroy Labor Movement.
In these day it is past understanding
how American citizens can bring them
selves to aid and comfort a propaganda
that has for its purpose the destruction
of the trade labor movement in Amer
lea and the overthrow of our republic"
20 Lott ANAI F,--~
fetal announcements of the Russian gov
ernment as to the necessity for mill
tarization of labor and commented On
measures which Trotzky had taken to-
force the return to work of railroad and
bank employees who had voluntarily
quit their positions.
Does the Kalamazoo Trades and La
Dor Council support this program for
the United States?" Mr.. Gompers in
quired.
The federation president declared that
the communist party in Russia the
real rulers of that country-numbered
less than 10000 members"
This was shown, he said, by the fact
that while each member of the party was
entitled to an allowance of two pounds
of bread a day, less than 1000 appli-
cations for that allowance We're made
to the food commissaire.
Assertion of the Kalamazoo central
body that unemployment in America
would be relieved by lifting the embargo
on Russia, Mr.. Gompers denied on the
ground that there is no such embarg
and If there were, lifting it would have
no material effect on trade conditions.
1T may be news to you that the |
greatest amount of American manufac- |
tured articles sent to Russia, outside of |
was in 1913" he wrote, 'and !
then amounted to only $4,000, 000."
No Obstacle to Trade With Russia.
Trade relations with Russia We're for |
mally resumed in July, 1920 the letter |
with the removal of the en- |
barge and today there is no obstacle |
In the way of the Russian people dealing |
with the United States as far as the |
latter is concerned
Millions OF dollars are known to have |
been sent from Russia to the United |
shevik propaganda" Mr.. Gompers said. !
IF those who have consciously or un-
aided in the circulation have |
failed to be rewarded, they have missed |
ana opportunity for gain, for their ser
vices have been well worth financial rec
ognition by Lenine and Trotzky.
when the people of Russia elect a |
the American Federation |
Of Labor will be the first to demand its |
1t is understood that about 60 central i
abor organizations and individual To-
calls have gone on record in more or
less heated terms as opposing Mr.. Com
Ders' Russian policy. At federation
headquarters, small Importance was at
tached to this opposition, which was |
declared to represent only a small per-
of the entire membership of the
federation.