The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-08-02
Samuel Gompers at Age of a. Says Nothing in Life Is
Worth While but Service Given in Cause of Humanity
Labor Leader Grants In
tervieW on Anniver-
Say of His Arrival
in America,
By MAURICE HENLE,
NEA Service Writer.


E7EW YORK, Aug. 2.-on
IN July 90, 1868, certain boy
~ of 10 reached this country
from England.
His heart beat fast as the big
ship glided into New York harbor
and he saw the skyline, and he
took a boyish vow to be a citizen
of this new country as soon as he
could and to be active in its af-
fairs.
How well that boy kept his word
all the world knoWs-for today
Samuel Gompers stands the I'M
questioned labor leader of his gen.
Grafton.
Today Samuel Gompers Is "a.
And though the years and the bat
ties have left their scars, he still
stands as the guiding light for that
great mass of workers known as
the American Federation of Labor.
It was on the sixty-first ami
versary of his arrival here from
London that Gompers granted an
exclusive interview and posed for
exclusive photographs for NEA
Service and The Indianapolis
Times.
In a few days he was to leave
the comfortable hotel at Coney
Island. where he had successfully
weathered the most critical illness
of his life, where his life was des-
paired of for days.
Slowly, unassisted, he walked to
the sun porch, and there he stood
and chatted with a group Of
friends. He would not allow any
one to help him and for an hour he
walked about.
He was a study. Alternately his
battle beaten face was bathed in
smiles and sorrow. A sunny smile
came as he recalled his landing
here as a boy of 10, and Of his VOW
TO become a citizen as soon as he
became of age.
Then suddenly his mind would
turn, and he would remember
those of his comrades who have
gone.
TUST that day he had re-
ceived a wire announcing
IL the death of a dear friend,
a labor leader.
"A fine, manly fellow. He gave
his life for the cause. He died in
service. Yes, I'm sure he died in
service"
The photographer suggested one
pose with a smile. But Gompers
shook his head sadly.
No" he said, mot that Take
me the way 1 feel. The way I am.
I cannot smile just for a picture.
I cannot pose"
Gompers was dressed in a loose
fitting black suit. He wore a bow
tie and a tan cap. He had COM
Portable look about him.
n 1AMUEL GOMPERS was ap-
y prenticed to the trade Of
0 cigar making in his youth.
In 1864. when only IA, be became
the first registered member of the
Cigar Makers International Union,
of which he was secretary and
president. It has become one Of
the most successful of American
trade unions.
He was elected vice president Of
the American Federation Of La
Dor, which he helped organize in
1881. and from 1882, with the sole
exception of the year 1894, when
he was defeated by John Nc
Bride, he has been its president.
Under his direction, the A F.
of L. grew and ffourished. It's
influence in politics has been MAN.
" indirect, but has been felt
strongly in such matters as the
extension of the efght-hour day on
government contracts. employers
liability laws and many other hui
manized statutes.
In 1908 Gornpers sought, with
out much success though, to throw
the strength of the federation to
the Democratic party on the
ground that the Republican candi-
date was unfriendly to labor.
He consistently opposed social
istic tendencies in the labor move
ment. He was active in promot-
ing industrial Cancellation.
Gompers has been a ceaseless
battler for organized labor and
fought all movements to destroy
it's effectiveness.
He urged release from prison of
political prisoners.
Fri HESE are just a few mile
stones in this remarkable
mans remarkable career.
Gompers still retains a keen
sense of humor.
See" he laughed. "now they
have the last pictures posed by
me. If I should fall off a build
ing or a horse should kick me
tomorrow, they would have a