New-York tribune., 1922-06-25
Compers Bars
soviet Approval
By the A. F. of l..
,..olution Against Recog-
uition Of Reds Regime Is
Adopted by Federation
convention by Big Vote
seht Of Radicals Vain
,.,sran Labor Leader Calls
Defeat Of Propaganda VIC
ury for American People

,,.ssi Dispatch 20 The Tribune
-rcrNNATl. June 24.-The forty
- convention Of the American
,..,,,,ion Of Labor hurriedly came TO
"a, to-day with the annual running
-, 4, the Russian resolution.
s,-u.l GOmpers routed his foes for
.,sr,h time on the issue Of Soviet
...-,nsn. but back Of the listless
s..s,sisrs Of tho last two weeks and
!. bnsrness with which the yearly
..,ss ended lies the plain fact that
,.-,,rs and his old guard Of "regu-
- n. conservatives OF the labor
--,-,n,. are still secure in possession
"a, helm OF the American Fedora
t.d Labor.
-.right Gompers was pouring hot
..,ynents into the ranks Of his re-
..,,i,r enemies who had sought TO de-
-. The convention for recognition Of
80. Russia. While the fight was led
: ndieals. it was understood that the
.s,ay workers and Federal employees
,..lS have voted with them had it
- 70 roll call
complete and crushing defeat" |"
..-yers said. had been administered
4 the spolog.sts and propagandists
= Boshevist autocracy IN the con-
srtioh.'
Railway Group Defeated
gr more than three years the rail-
ur group In the Federation has been
.,..srirg rs strength. and in this con-
,r,on I, controlled from one-third 70
..,sf,ns OF the delegates. II failed
Il iiong the line.
ne biggest union in this group, the
.s,d Nine Workers. is engaged in q
r-sggle which makes II doubtful
ss:hsr it will again muster the same
sting strength for years. The rail-
uy unions are threatening a strike
ril,h may disorgsnize them thorough
=. nigh; even ruin them. They in
81 they are almost ruined n they
t,-'t A. least take a strike vote. SO
,.sn the Federation Of Labor is called
. order in October. 1928, II Is doubt
n whether the railway group will be
bic to exhibit anything like its front
q the last week
On the other hand. the strength o.
sompers and the executive council is
ased on the building trades. the mis-
a.laneous label trades and few
rnrants Of craft skilled in industry.
lAue held their own during the last
10 years Of struggle and may be ex-
.s,sd 70 continue. The surprise Of
as convention WAS the discipline with
s,ish the railroad group. maneuvered
e al the balloting which took place.
Victory on Freedom Issue
Cszperss parting shot tonight was
ilsfz statement Of the Russian propo-
rax "Of especial sigrihcance,' he
nj "was the action on the question
= Russia Our convention OF the rep
assniatives Of labor rose 10 the full
hgti Of IS dignity on that issue and
nok is stand for freedom. After years
q Uopaganda, particularly intensified
t.ass the last year. the campaign for
E;scracy was crushed in defeat.
Every possible effort has been
rsi, 70 win support for the Soviet
i..ocrsey. Not a single local union
in been overlooked By the propa-
1riis,s for Soviet brutality and au-
'stiaey. But the convention emerged
ron that cloud Of deceitful propa-
7sds and stood true 20 American
principles. holding its head above the
de n proud championship Of democ-
ntY
with their arguments literally torn
i0S,reds and demolished, the support
trs o. the Soviet horror mustered al
the end but a handful Of votes. Sweep.
isg defeat was the elimination OF
ears Of propaganda Of such menda-
ious and upscrupulous character tnat
q IS diAicult 20 properly characterize
IN the face o. this the trade union
royement has again demonstrated its
,lssr vision. rs unAinching courage
trd is faithful devetion 10 American
N,als'snd principles.
The victory over this propaganda
vkieh has had for its object nothing
less than the destruction Of the Ameri'
on labor movement as a condition
precedent 10 the destruction Of the free
government Of the American people, Is
. victory OF the most vital Importance
. the American people. Our line has
t,.d strong and true and we are proud
q the service our movement has rem
tered
Borah's Telegram Read
The high spot Of Mr.. Hayes's ad-
efsss Vas the reading Of a telegram
- had received from Senator Borah
y answer 70 one last evening. Mr.
hayes lad taken his cue from Mr..
0o1ptrs. who the day before had
,tic ;slegrams from Secretaries
mower and Hughes.
w Borah's telegram said that as
i'seilcsl proposition Americans cam
10 trade with Russia without reeog-
,aen or trade treaty. which amounts
ne same thing. Russia, the tele.,
Ia- said, now has been recognized
SIX governments and citizens OF
-" governments are trading Win
i.sst IN safety.
=, he resolution adopted on Soviet
a-,'is said that the Federation Is not
..sih.d in taking any action which
.sio be construed as an assistance 10
= y Soviets or an approval Of them
uosed BY expressing sympathy Tor
- Russian people and the hope that
~ would soon be freed from tNeir
WET rulers.