The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1924-12-25
Mine WORKERlMADE
new LABOR LEADER
WILLIAM GREEN is SELECTED
AS SUCCESSOR TO SAMUEL
GOMPERS

| New York, Dee. 19.-Willian
Green was elected president of the
American Federation of Labor by the
executive council here today.
| James P. Noonan, president of the
international Brotherhood of Electri-
cal Workers, was named eighth vice
president to fill the vacancy on the
council caused by Green's promo
ton.
Upon Green's election, James
Duncan, the first vice president at
once resigned. A close associate OF
the late Samuel Gompers for 40
years, Duncan told his colleagues he
felt entitled to the office himself be-
cause of seniority and long service.
His resignation will not be acted up
on until the executive committee
meets again at Miami, Fla, about
February 8. Duncan, former head of
the Granite Cutters, says his decision
is "irrevocable."
Green, who has been secretary
treasurer of the United Mine Work
ers of America since 1912, and votes
in Coshocton, Ohio, was nominated
by Thomas Rickert, of the Garment
Workers and seconded by Matthew
Woll Of the photo engravers. Both
Woll and Rickert had abandoned
tentative candidates of their own and
and retired in favor of Green. In the
actual voting Green was opposed by
no other candidate.
Both Green and Noonan take up
their new duties at once. Green with
draws from the Mine Workers or
ganization and John L. Lewis, tho
miners president, is expected to ap-
point his successor after meeting
of the executive board in Indianapolis
in January.
Mr. Lewis said the election of Green
was 'the choice of wisdom" because
the miners secretary treasurer rs
the one outstanding figure who can
take unon- himself the mantle Of the
revered Gompers and be assured o.
the cooperation and devotion Of the.
great majority of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor"
He said Green's ascendancy mark
ed the beginning Of new era of
progress" in the organi-
zation and would "allay all public ap-
orehension that the long established
and proper policies of organized la
Dor were to be impaired seriously"
President Green in his own first
official utterance pledged himself to
larry out ''the fundamental princi-
lies of trade-unionism so ably cham
,ioned by Samuel Gompers and upon
which the superstructure of or
canized labor rests"
The executive council after the
lection authorized President Green
0 appoint committee to consider a
nemorial to Samuel Gompers. AL
eady a plan had been broached by
prominent eastern leader to found
uch a symbol to the memory of the
cad leader by a public subscription
objected from the rank and file Of
rganized labor.
The memorial would be placed at
le grave in Sleepy Hollow cemetery
t Tarrytown.
Green's Parents From Wales
Coshocton, Ohio, Dec. 19.-Wil-
am Green, known to every Coshoc-
m resident as Billy" although an
merican by birth, is Welshman by
His father and mother,
ugh and Jane, came to Coshocton
unity from Wales in 1869. Two
,ars later William was born, the
rst of a family of six children.
His father, now 80 years old, is
ing with daughter in a little cot
ge just outside of town where Will
IN spent the greater part of his life.
, him, his sons newly acquired title
president of the American Fedora
m of Labor means little. He made
response when told of his sons
ection.
His affable nature and his close
ldy of mining conditions early
ought him leadership in home af-
RS. In 1909, when only 80 years
|, he became president of sbu-dis-
ct No. 6, Ohio Mine Workers or
In 1906 he became presi-
1T of the state organization. In
L0 he became a state senator and
we'd two terms, being elected sec
ary-treasurer of the United Mine
rkers of America in 1928, which
ition he held when selected to lead
national labor organization.
special New Years matinee at 8
M at tho Iiherfv sbou1i,,o- +Lo