Evening star., 1924-12-14
DUNCAN ELECTION
! DECLARED AGREED
Labor Heads Reported to
Have Made Plans Dur
ing August.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

special Dispatch to Ihe star.
NEW YORK, December 13.-James
Duncan of Quincy, Mass, for 80 years
vice president of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor, is, by an under
standing reached by the leaders OF
that organization in Atlantic City
last August scheduled to fill out the
unexpired term of Samuel Gompers.
The understanding, reached at a
time when Mr.. Gompers' condition
was critical, is subject to change, but
sentiment in the recent Ell Paso con-
vention was for carrying it out.
Duncan. If designated, would serve
until the conclusion of the next an
nual convention in Atlantic City next
october, the election under the laws
Of the federation being held on the
last day Of the convention.
Who will be named? This is a
question that will puzzle the lead
ers Of the movement in the ensuing
months There Is abundance of talk,
but there are so many personal equa-
xions involved that the winner prob
ably will not be known much before
che time for balloting arrives, with
the chances most excellent that the
new president will be chosen from
among the 10 members of the execu-
tive council.
These ten are Mr. Duncan and Vice
L d
of Indianapolis; William Green, a
miner, also of Indianapolis: Jacob
Fisher, barber, of Indianapolis; Mat
thew Woll, photo engraver Chicago;
Thomas A Rickert,. garment worker.
Chicago; Martin F. Ryan, railway
carman, Kansas City, and James Will
son, pattern maker, Cincinna,-. and
Treasurer Daniel j. Tobin, teAmster,
indianapolis, and Secretary Frank
rric mi, -
Others Arc MentioneA
John L Lewis. the miners chief,
who opposed Mr.. Gompers in Denver
four years ago; Maj. George L. Berry,
president Of the pressmen. and Will
liam l. Hutcheson. chief of the car
penters who have been mentioned
prominently in discussions of the
Gompers succession are not expected
10 be candidates Mr.. Lewis is defin-
itely out Of the race. Maj Berry pre-
fers to remain with his pressmen and
Hutcheson feels compelled to remain
With his people to carry out plans
10 which he is already committed.
or the council members the three
most prominently mentioned for the
presidency are Matthew Woll, who In
recent years has taken many burdens
from Mr. Gompers' shoulders; Mr.,
Green and Mr.. Rickert Mr.. Green
said at Ell Paso he would not accept
Inc presidency under any circum-
stances. Mr.. Woll, while not an an
nounced candidate, is in a receptive
mood Rickert says he does not want
the position and will be under great
pressure from his own people to re-
main in his present position. The i'm
preston prevails, however, that he
would respond to a draft,
won Has Chance,
In the judgment of the shrewder
leaders, either Rickert or Green could
De elected If they sought the place.
These same leaders are of the opinion
taat Wolfs chance-and in this his
ciosest friends agree lies in the
chance that a contest may develop
among the more powerful unions that
VIII compel a compromise choice In
tne person of some one from a. small
LABOR organization. In that event it
is inquired he would be the logical
man.
The one thing certain to result
from the contest is that the man
CHOSEN Will be g. conservative, COM
lowed by Mr.. Gompers. However
moch the so-called radicals may pro-
test, the conservatives will have the
votes necessary to elect.
Under the laws of the Federation,
Mr. Morrison, as secretary, automati-
caily became president on the death,
OF Mr.. Gompers. AS such he must call
a meeting of the executive council
within 10 days for the purpose of fill
ing the vacancy from among vice
presidents equal in rank.
Ordinarily the meeting to fill the
vacancy would be held in Washing
ton. However, as all the council mem.
ners Will attend the funeral of Mr..
Iornpers In this city, it is possible
tnat 1T will be held here Immediately
after the funeral to conserve the Tina
OF the leaders, who. because of the Ell
Paso convention, have been absent
from their desks for nearly a month,