Evening star., 1924-12-14

Previously he had attended world
labor parleys in London. Paris and
Anhster erdam-
His Impress on Legislation.
He was father Of much legislation,
both state and national, designed to
In recent years a large part of his
time was spent before legislative
committees suggesting. supporting
and framing labor legislation.
Prior to his founding the national
labor organization in 1881 the labor
paratively small, Individual unions,
In the various states working with
out much real cooperation. By form
Ing the federation. he welded the en-
tire movement into nation wide,
compact unit which grew to be
power in the political, commercial
and Industrial life of the country.
AT the annual session Of the American
Federation of Labor at El Paso, Tex, in
November, 1924, Mr.. Gompers was
elected president for the forty-third
time. That session was followed by a
joint meeting Of the American Fedora
tion Of Labor apd the Mexican Fedora
tion of Labor. Of sessions of the Pan
American Federation OF Labor and the
Inauguration Of President Gales of
Mexico. which officials of all three or
CARNATIONS attended, at Mexico City.
While at the Mexican capital Mr.
Gompers was stricken with a recurrence
OF the ailment that had kept him more
or less an invalid for some years Com
plicated by q slight cold and aggravated
by the high altitude, the aged labor
leader was unable to attend the clos
ing ceremonies Of the Inauguration,
Outspokep in his views on public
questions, Mr. Gompers made many
bitter critics as we'll as stanch sup
porters. He charged German labor
world struggle. blamed prohibition
for causing unrest" in the United
States. urged labor union Of the two
Americas, denounced q United States
senatorial investigation Of Mexico as
of nations. indorsed De valera and
"recognized' the Irish republic, as
sailed the open-shop platform OF the
United States Chamber Of Commerce,
demanded that Asiatics be kept out
Of the United States. pleaded for the
release of all political and wartime
prisoners including Debs. opposed the
establishment by the Washington ad-
ministration of a Denartment of Wei
fare. praised President Hardings
world disarmament efforts and ap-
proved Americas plan to aid famine
stricken Russia 'er'
Personal Friend Of Presiaents.
Gomn"re :~"s tn ne-e~na' of
SIX American Presidents-McKinle
Roosevelt, aft, WILSON,, ha. u.ns LID
Coolidge. He was often called into
consultation with them in settlement
Of a number Of industrial disputes.
During the last campaign Mr..
lette for President. The American
Federation, through its executive
council and non-partisan campaign
committee fndorsed the candidacy Of
the La Fol1ette-Wheeler ticket. Mr.
Gompers was always Arm in his at
titude, however, that organized labor,
and the American Federation in par
ttoular, should maintain q non
partisan attitude. supporting policies
and candidates favorable to the cause
Of labor. but not seeking to estab-
1ish a labor party, such as that in
England. Mr.. Gompers' belief was
that organized labor. could work to
greatest advantage by supporting its
friends IN the various political parties
without itself setting up q party or
ganizatfon-
Not Active I'm Campaign.
Owing to his health, Mr.. Gompers
was not able to take an active part
in the campaigning last Summer and
Fail. But he issued several state
ments urging the election Of La Fol-
lette and generally supporting tho
Progressive cause e't
When tho executive council Of the
federation first declared for La Fol-
lette Mr.. Gompers was drawn into
q controversy with former Secretary
Of Labor Wilson, who was in the
cabinet during the Wilson adminis-
tration.+ Mr. Wilson insisted that tho
Democratic nominee, John W. Davis,
had proved himself q friend Of labor,
and that the federation should sup
port him rather than Senator La Fol-
lette. But Mr. oompers insisted that
the reoord Of La Toilette was such
ganixsd labor ahd that Mr.. Davis
connections were not favorable TO
Among the laws Gompers framed,
supported or originated were:' The
eight-hourt l4w for government ON
ployes: the various state irw: nxing
Dor day as the workingmen's holiday;
tho federal workingmen's oompensa-
tfon law; the law limiting the use of
in1unctiong In labor disputes; the law
exemptfng iHbor unions from prose-
trade. and the law regulating punish-
ment for contempt Of court, He was
also directly responsfble for tho leg.
islatton which created the Depart
mont Of Labor ~ q separate depart
msnt Of the federal government with
q cabinet member at its head.
The Legislation exempting, trade
unions from the anti.tfuSt.laws, rexu-
lattng punishment for contempt and
limiting the use Of !: the injunction.
which WAS Included In the Clayton
Anti-trusts law passed by tho Sixty
third Congress- grow out Of .fitigation
iagainst, trade unions and their OIL
cials with which Gompers was direct-
ly concerned. The contempt section
Of tho Clayton act was framed. to
meet conditions which arose through
the oonyictiSn Of aOmpsrs John
eS T. Ameyicsn Eederation of Labor.