Evening star., 1924-12-13
FOUR IN RUNNING
FOR COMP PERS' POST
Duncan, WoII, Rickert and
Green Regarded as
Race Leaders.
UNION COUNCIL TO ACT
Morrison in Charge Until New
Leader Is Chosen to Sue
ceed Gompers.
UNION COUNCIL TO ACT

| While a flag dropped at half-staff
over the A. F. of L. Building here to-
/ day, and labor chieftains throughout
| the country turned their minds to
variegated conjectures as to the most
| suitable figure to fill the breach in or
ganized labors structure created by the
death OF Samuel Gompers, there was
one point on which all factions agreed
the progressively conservative policies
| of the deceased president are so firmly
rooted in the fabric Of organized labor
that no matter who succeeds to the
presidency these policies win prevail.
"Gompers' ideals and policies will live
after him" was the substantial concen-
sus of opinion In. high labor ranks.
Aides OF Same Type.
This was az he had planned On the
executive council of the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor are men known to be
Of the Gompers' type Of progressive con-
servatism, enemies of child labor, radi
calism and bolshevism friends of legis
lation and policies to better working
conditions and maintain high standards
of living for wage earners.
This executive council, which has
run virtually in line with the Com
pers' dortrine, today is the controlling
element in the American Federation
of Labor. Frank Morrison is titular
and actual president pro tempore.
But the council not only controls dur
ing the hiatus between the death of
the former president but also in the
election Of the future president.
Section of article VI of the con-
stitution of the American Federation
of Labor, adopted in 1922, provides
for such control. 1t says: I'm case
of vacancy in the Office of president,
by death, resignation. or other cause,
the secretary shall perform the duties
of the president until his successor Is
elected. In that event. 1t shall be
the duty of the secretary. to issue
within six days from the date of the
vacancy a call for meeting of the
executive council at headquarters for
the purpose of electing a president to
fill said vacancy"
Guarantees Policies.
There's the section. 1t was the fed
eration's guaranty during the life
time of Gompers that the organiza-
tion should not be thrown into new
channels at his death, and its promi-
nence stands out in bold refief today.
1t is agreed in the speculation on
the successor to Gompers that his
mantle may fall on any one of the
eight vice presidents now constitut
ing, with the secretary and treasurer,
the executive council
Four Names stand Out.
1t is believed in some circles close
to the core of the federation that four
of these vice presidents stand out in
the present hazy consideration. They
are: First Vice President James Dun
can, former leader of the Granite Cut
| ters, veteran next in point of service
to Gompers himself; Third Vice Presi-
dent William Green of the Miners,
! strong figure; T. A. Rickert, fourth
vice president, who, as a member of
| the Garment Workers draws wide
support In the East and New Eng
| land, and Matthew Vol, sixth vice
president of the Photoengravers
Union, who is regarded as a strong
possibility. but whose connection
with a numerically small organiza-
tion is believed to mitigate against
him. -.
John L. Lewis has been mentioned
1t is contended in labor circles here
that he probably would not want the
! presidency of the A. F. of L. He is a
member of the miners organization.
which already has William Green
| representing 1t on the executive
council of the A. F. of L.,
| With the exception of Lewis, it is
contended, the election OF any one
| of the above will mean nothing more
| than an extension and continuation
of the Gompers' policies.
All speculation and conjecture,
. 80