The Washington times., 1924-12-11
MOUNTAINS
BRING ON
HEAR I
At TACK
Was Racing From Mexico City
Homeward to Lower AIti-
tude When End Came
By WILLIAM P. FLYTHE,
international News Service.

T." international News Service.
MEXICO CITY. Dec. 11.-Sam-
uel Gompers, seventy-four-year-
old president of the American Fed
Grafton Of Labor, died this morn
ing at Sannicolas, small town
near San Luis Potosi, according
to a message received here today
by the labor leaders friends.
Gompers' heart was unable to
function as he was being taken
over a high mountain range, the
message stated. Gompers was en-
route by train to the United
States. He had suffered : re-
lapse yesterday and left here
aboard an international and Great
Northern train. His friends be-
lieved lower altitude would inn
prove his physical condition.
Friends Efforts Fail.
Immediately the dispatches stating
Gompers was dead reached Mexico
City and railroad officials at once
tried to get in touch with the train
to obtain further details, but they
were unsuccessful.
The mountain ranges in the
vicinity OF Sannicolas is the highest
along the route Of the international
and Great Northern railroad to the
United States. The message re.
porting Gompers' death said that
three persons who were attending
the noted American labor leader
had used every device to keep him
alive until a lower altitude was
reached.
Gompers was stricken with q
heart affection when he came here
recently to attend the inauguration
of President Gales and yesterday
he suffered a relapse. 1t was de-
cided by his friends to rush him -
the United States in the hope that
the lower altitude would improve
his condition. The path of the
train led through the highest noun
famous section of Mexico.
Doctors Fear Worst.
Physicians attending him during
his three-day illness from bronchitis
and what Is feared to be twenty
four hour pneumonia" were dubious
Of Gompers surviving the trip.
In his weakened condition he had
had trouble breathing the rarified
air Of the Mexican capital.
The aged leader, English born.
but a figure in American labor
circles for forty years, after q
delirious night under care of three
physicians, told his attendants in q
lucid interval that he believed he
would survive II he could be taken
to the lower altitude.N He insisted
that he be put aboard a train last
night.
Popular In Mexico.
AS he lay ill with bronchitis in
his hotel. the Pan-American Labor
Union reelected him their presi,
dent, following the example Of the
American Federation of Labor in
Its Ell Paso convention, which re-
turned him to the position he has
continuously held, except for one.
year, since 1886.
A solemn procession saw him
borne to the train last night.
Place in History.
History win find a distinguished
place for the life and accomplish.
ments of Samuel Gompers. His name
will be written beside those of Wood,
row Wilson and the other men who
guided the nation through its latter
day trials and eventually, sacrificing
themselves on the altar of patriot
ism, brought It safely past the
breakers of war, industrial strife.
and general unrest, which threat
ened time and again to bring disas-
ter upon it!
The recognized. leader of organ
lied labor in the United States,
diplomat of worldwide reputation
and a writer of marked ability.
Samuel Gompers took a powerful
part in bringing the war with Ger
many and AUSTRIA Hungary to a
successful conclusion.
From the minute he became the
leader of organized labor In America
Gompers had to fight. He was fight.
ing day and night for the ideals he
and his followers thought worth
dying for. and this early training
stood him in good stead when he
was put to the real test in 1917. the
year America declared war.
Born in England. on January 27s