New-York tribune., 1922-06-24
Miners and Railmcn Join
Radicals in Formidable
Attack on A. +. l.. Head
on Soviet Recognition
May Force Compromise
Sending of Committee to
Russia to Investigate Ia
Considered at Convention
En,,lnl pnratch . rh. rrIsar,

Of his pet policy Of non-recognition Of
Russia.
Defeated in the attempt 10 place a
representative in the cabinet Of the
Federation. the group. whose principal
strength is in the railway unions,
massed its weight behind a substitute
for tho administration resolution.
The substitute would ask America 10
recognize the Soviet government. De-
bate lasted all afternoon. but as q divi-
sion was abou, TO be taken tho eonven-
tion suddenly adjourned.
The outcome lay in great doubt to-
night. II early was apparent that the
pro-recogni,ion resolution had great
pressure behind il. So serious is the
menace TO the traditional stand Of the
administration group that It was re-
ported tonight compromise resolu-
ton would be brought IN providing FOR
sending commission &c Russia 10
investigate impartially the Soviet
regime.
Radicals Are Strong
All the railway unions are said 10
be pledged TO vote for the minority
report. SO are the United Mine Work.
crs, largest union in the meeting. VINO
were instructed by their last conven-
tion. All the radicals arc on tho side
Of the substitute resolution.
President Gompers declared, in a
long address. that the movement for
Russian recognition was OF piece
with that Of William z. Foster 70
"Sovietize" the labor movement Foster
and his friends sat on the sidelines
and watched the shifting fortunes in
the debate
4 Cleveland man. Max s. Hayes.
editor Of the Cleveland Federationlst,'
prcc.pitated the struggle. lie and
Timothy Hcaiy, president Of the FIRE
men AMI oilers. brought in the minor
ity report Of the international rela-
tions committee. which demanded
that the government OF the United
States recognize the existing Russian
government and take immediate steps
20 restore facilities for communication
and commerce
Leaders Of the railway unions went
70 Chicago tonight 20 count the strike
ballots tomorrow and Sunday, but they
lef; each union one man to vote in
favor OF Hayes's resolution.
Denver Stand ResfIlrmed
The majority report. brought IN By
George ". Perkins. chairman, and
Matthew Woll. secretary OF the inter.
national relations committee, advo-
Gated reafrm!ng the conventions dee
larGtion OF last year nt Denver. This
vas 20 the effect that the 4. F. Of L. is
not justified in taking action which
could be construed as approving the
Soviet government. and that II extend
is sympathy TO Russian trade
unioris.s.
Gompers's address was reinforced a.
frequent periods BY telegrkms from
Secretaries Hoover and Hughes. in
Washington, who had been asked by
Gompers the night before as TO the
status Of trade with Russia. Gompcss
would pause TO have the messages
read. The kilograms said that there
was no legal bar 20 trade with Russia
70 FAR as America was concerned, but
that traders had TO deaf solely with tho
Soviet and could have no security aid
that the Russians had exhausted all
their gold.
Gompers declared IL was the purpose
Of the Soviet 20 destroy the 4. 7. Of l..
and. alludinS 20 William Z. Foster, he
said:
There Is an interest which is try
ing % bring II about that local unions
shall declare for Sovie,ism. The head
and front OF that group is having those
locals meet in Chicago in August 20
devise means whereby the labor move
ment shall be undermined and de-
stroyed.
Il believe In se.f-expression. but the
killing Of thousands Of soldiers and
civilians Is not self-expression Of any
people. Never in the history Of the
world has there been such a domina-
tion OF governmental power and brutal
dictatorship. Brutal. domineerirg. IL
has not received the consent Of the
Russian people. They have no voice"
Soviet Rule Defended
The minority floor leader was Arthur
Keep, delegate OF the tailors' union
and editor OF labor Eper.
1T is remarkable" he said. chow We
have come 20 be unable 70 recognize
revolution. There is not 3 government
in the world not born in revolution.
ours included, and IL was no tea party
either You say a mere handful rules
Russia. So does mere handful rule
other countries. The Soviet OF the
Car ruled Russia as the Soviet OF Wall
Street rules this country"
Officers OF the American Federation
Of Labor we're eleiced this morning, as
follows: President, Samuel Gompers.
who has been president since the or
ganization OF the Federation IN 1881.
except one term first vice-prcsident,
James Duncan, president Of the Gran
ite Cutters Union; second vice-presi-
dent. Joseph F. Valentine. president Of
the Molders' Union; third vice-presi-
dent. Frank Duffy, secretary OF the
Carpenters Union; fourth viee-presi-
dent. William Green. secretary-treas-
urer Of the United Mine Workers; nth
vice-president. W. d. Mahon, president
Of the street railway employees or
gnnization; sixth viee.prtsident. T. A..
Rickert. president of the mems cloth
ing union: seventh viee-pres!dent.
Jacob Fischer. secre;aTy-treasurer OF
ihe BARRIERS Union: eighth viee-presi-
dent. Matthew Vol, president OF the
hoto-Engravers' Union: secretary.
Frank Morrison. Of the typographical
Union: treasurer. Daniel Tobin. presi-
dent o. the Teamsttrs' Union.