Evening star., 1924-12-14
LABOR At CRISIS
WITH PILOT DEAD
Outlook, However, Bright for
Continuance of conserva-
tive Policy.

leader for 43 years gone to take his
place in history? Isl
Not only in labor circles, still
stunned by the news Of the death Of
Samuel Gompers, even though 1t was
half reluctantly expected. but also
In the industrial, commercial and
political worlds, each field vaguely
bewildered by the removal Of organ
lied labor's outstanding figure. this
question last night had already
started to grow in importance.
Allied with this question are two
others: What will be the effect on
business in general, and what sort
Of path win labor select under new
leader-one which tends toward rad
icalism or q slower, progressively
conservative one such as Gompers
trod?
Well informed labor leaders last
night were considering these three
points and discounting speculative
and conjectural reports concerning
the future.
Labor Faces Criaa.
Admittedly-though virtually all
are loath to admit 1.-THE Federation
Of Labor faces q crisis. The crisis Is
not for the immediate future. Samuel
Gompers had guarded against that
with the constitution of the Fedora
tion of Labor. But it must come as
surely as will come the annual con-
vention of the American Federation
of Labor, next October, when forces
and factions Of variegated beliefs
will gather to elect a president.
II there; win be any nEht among
candidates to MI the chair left
vacant BY Gompera it vim BE- then.
Uhruly elements Of the organization
hitherto held IN check by the clear
thinking, Quiok-aoting vigilance Of
the leader who has passed on, will
combine for a drive to power. 1T will
be the strategic time for such q drive,
and the hand of Gompers, experienced
as none other, will not be there
to direct the defense of the structure
of organized labor against such at
tack.
Plan to Get Test.
On the other hand, the inner or
ganization built up within the Fed
Grafton of Labor by Mr.. Gompers
will have T. chance to demonstrate
It's utility: Labor leaders point to
the hand ef a labor-statesman in SO
wording the constitution Of the or
ganization as to make the executive
council q dominant instrument in the
moves of the federation. First of
all, this council will elect a new
president. Next, the council Is made
up Of Gompers' friends and advisers
from various different international
unions. Then, SO adroitly has the ar
rangement been made, there will be
q breathing spell for this council to
line up its defensive battlements be-
fore the next convention. If an as
sault Is to be made, there will be
time to prepare. The old guard of
the federation will have ample time
to grid itself to meet the onslaught.
Discord Discounted.
This is cited as the principal rea-
son why dfssension, strife and dis
cord in the coming special session Of
the executive council are discounted.
The men on that council-10 of them
were picked because Of their ability
for cool thinking, on ticklish ques-
ttons. They are virtually all veterans
from First Vice President James
Duncan, for 40 years the supporter
of President Gompers. to Matthew
Wo1l, sixth vice president, compara-
lively young in years but old in ex-
perience.
With such personnel as this ON
the executive council, it is pointed out
by labor leaders, exactly where there
can be an entry of such diverse inter-
ests as could fan personal differences
OF opinion into a discordant blaze of
opposition among factions cannot
easily be explained. The members of
the executive council being in accord
with the policies bequeathed them by
their departed chieftain. will, in all
probability, do everything possible to
further such policies and the greatest
obstacle they could place in the path
Of the lmachienry set in motion by Mr.
Gompers during his 43 years Of
activity would be to allow dissension
and strife to creep into the organiza-
tion Immediately after his demise, It
Is further averred.
-Four In RAoe for Pest.
Four members Of the executive
council continued to stand out prom
inently as possibilities for succession
to the presidency of the federation
Third Vice President william Green,
President James Duncan, from the
Granite Cutters international Union;
Fourth Vice President T. A. Rickert
Of the Garment Workers and Matthew
Vol Of the International Photo En-
gravers Union. ts,i.
Because of his close connection with
Mr.. Gompers the name of w. d. Ma
hon, president Of the Amalgamated
Association Of Street and Electric
Railway Workers, last night crept
into speculative discussions in labor
circles, but it was freely admitted
that his strength was an unknown
factor.
The six members Of the executive
mentioned. are also admittedly po-
tential as "dark-horse" candidates for
the presidency. They are: Secretary
Frank Morrison from the international
Typographical Union. now acting
president; Treasurer L. ]. Tobin from
the international Brotherhood of
Teamsters; Second Vice President
Frank Duffy from the International
Brotherhood Of Carpenters and Join
ers; Fifth Vice President Jacob
Fischer from the Barbers' Interna.
tional Union; Martin F. Ryan, seventh
vice president OF the federation, from
the Brotherhood Of Railway Carmen:
and last, but not least as a potential
candidate, Eighth Vice President
James Wilson Of the Pattern Makers
International Union.
This angle being thus disposed of,
there remains for consideration the
effect Of the death Of Gompers on
labor conditions generally as affect
ing business.
Doubt Policy CAange
! Labor leaders point out that the
very breathing spell provided for in
the constitution Of the Federation
should prove ample protection against
a sudden change in policy which
might result disastrousiy all, along
the line.
Since sweeping change from the
present progressive conservatism of
labor to outright .radicalism, or at
the mildest. ultra ra-progressivism, Is
staved of until the October conven-
tion, there will In all probability be
no deviation on tho part Of labor's