The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1922-07-14
PRES. G0MPERS
ANTI BOLSHEVIk

The following is an article from
the st. Paul Union Advocate dis
cussing the question, "Why President
Gompers Should Fight Against Rec
ognition of the Soviet Russia ?"
With the American labor move
ment engaged in a life-and-death
struggle with internal and external
enemies, which calls for the most as
siduous attention of its leaders and
defenders, Sam Gompers, president
Of the American Federation of Labor,
finds time and opportunity to keep
up a relentless TRADE against the
Russian soviet regime.
1t is a matter of deep concern and
curiosity what motive or purpose
Mr.. Gompers can have in giving so
much Of his needed attention to far
away Russia and its government,
when he is paid to look after the
problems of the American labor
movement. Is he trying to forget
home problems by foreign distrac-
ton?
If all were peace and plenty in
America as the result OF an INDUS
|
might be reasonable to give atten-
ton to a benighted nation which
might be less favored; but when we
are afflicted with industrial stagna-
ton, unemployment and restitution.
and terrific conflict going on with
the employing class, who are seeking
to pull down the already degraded
standard of living, what excuse can
Gompers give to the millions of dues
paving American workers for his
constant batting of the bolshevists l?
The bumptious activity of Presi-
dent Gompers in the political affairs
of Russia is gratuitous in the face
Of his failure to secure and retain
any benefits from his legislative ac-
tivities at home. The Russian peo-
pie have their grave industrial and
political problems and they are try
ing to work them out along new
lines, and they deserve every encour-
agement in their experiment to find
the solution of a worldwide and an
ages-old problem.
Certainly Mr.. Gompers is not of
fering anything new as a contribu-
ton to the permanent and effective
solution of the labor problem. Much
that has been Won in recent years
has been wrung from our feeble
grasp by courts and capitalists. and
we must renew our long and weary
journey up the oft-trodden path of
poverty
Mr.. Gompers' cant about the cru
city and oppression of the bolshevik
government can have no other eXpla-
nation but hypocrisy or ignorance.
The facts are too we'll known to a
disillusioned American public, and if
he wishes to retain the respect of his
followers he should discontinue his
unjust and uncalled-for criticisms of
institutions that are beyond his ken.
The world knows there is urgent
need for a new dispensation, and it
is the duty of every advocate of
Justice and progress to help in the
desired adjustments. Russia is doing
her part in striving for this end, and
we should place no obstacles in her
way.
We should not devote so much time
to the mote in our brothers eye, but
should endeavor to remove the beam
in our own eyes. The American in
dustrial system is no more superior
than that of Russia. We have mil
lions Of unemployed. and with bread
lines and soup kitchens for the des-
titute, in land of abundance! What
say you to this, Mr.. Gompers?
1t is true that famine and pesti-
lence are rampant in Russia. but war
and drought and social disorganiza-
ton have combined to produce these
dire conditions; but what causes our
distress?
America and the American labor
movement have grave problems be-
fore them which call for all the time
and courage and intelligence that We
can give to them. and until we have
conquered our own difficulties we
cannot set ourselves up as judges of
others conduct in matters of gov
eminent or industry.