Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1922-06-30
GOMPERS AGAIN
LEADS A. F. Of |.
Samuel Reelected President for
the Forty-First Time.
NO OPPOSITION is OFFERED
Biggest Surprise of the Labor Conven-
Z ton, Following Vigorous Attempts
to Crystalline Opposition to
the Veteran Leader.


Cincinnati, June 24.-President Sam
uel Gompers of the American Fedora
ton of Labor was reelected without
opposition at the federation's annual
convention. 1t was his forty-frst
election to the office.
Gompers' reelection without oppo-
sition was the biggest surprise of the
convention, following as it did Wig
orous attempts during the past few
days to crystalline opposition against
him.
From the very bottom of my heart
l thank you for this unanimous re-
election as president of the American
Federation of Labor" Gompers de-
clared in accepting his continued
hOnors.
Aside from the election, the con-
ventiOn faced big program of work,
but officials were confident that sine
die adjournment would be reached
today Among the questions pressing
for action was the federation's stand
on the industrial court, inaugurated
in Kansas, which was certain to draw
the fire of the convention, and the
question of the recognition of Russia.
Radical elements among the delegates
were ready to make a fight on the
committee report declaring reaffirma-
ton of the federation's stand against
the Russian government as at present
constituted and their effort in be-
half of the soviet was expected to pro-
vide one of the spectacular fights of
the convention
Portland Wins Next Convention.
The fOrty-third annual convention of
the American Federation of Labor will
he held in Portland, Ore, in October,
1923.
The convention so voted after con-
sidering bids of Houston, Tex, and
Portland for the cOnclave. The vote:
For Portland, 26,174; for Houston,
1912.
William G. Halsbeck of the Ken
lucky State federation was named
fraternal delegate to attend the do
minion trade and labor congress in
Canada and Benjamin Schlesinger,
New York, of the Ladies Garment
Workers union, and Edward J. Nc
Givern of the Plasterers union, fra
ternal delegates to the British Trades
Union congress.
Gompers Fights Reds.
Gompers went tp the bat in an effort
to defeat a resolution urging govern
ment recognition of soviet Russia
when that question was brought be-
fore the American Federation of La
Dor in convention here.
This is the first time in this cOnven-
ton that Gompers has taken sides in
any dispute among the delegates, but
he found it necessary because of the
strong sentiment favoring the soviets.
After he finished his denunciation
Of the Russian government the con-
vention took a recess.
''The purpose of the sOviets is to de-
stroy the American Federation of La
bor," he shouted. "Any man who be-
lieves in democracy cannot consistent
ly favor the soviets.
"SOvietism has meant slavery and
brutality and murder of the most hor-
rible character. Talk about recogniz-
ing soviet Russia! Might as well
recommend recognition of a govern
ment of savages.
eff we recommend recognition we
would be placed in questionable and
ridiculous position"
He read kilograms from Secretary
of States Hughes and Secretary of
Commerce Hoover denying allegations
that there are any legal hindrances to
trading with the Russians. The tele-
grams stated that the soviets them
selves have raised the only barrier.
Gompers charged that soviet groups
are working among the unions in an
effort to disrupt them.
'Iappeal to your judgment. would
not mislead you. You have this day
exercised your confidence in me by
re-electing me your president. If you
believe I can be of service to you, you
will defeat this movement"