Evening star., 1924-08-07
GOMPERS EXPLAINS
POSITION ON DAVIS
Denies Democratic Candi-
date Has Been Effective
Worker for Labor.
By the Associated Press

oJ tne ASSOCIATED Press.
ATLANTIC CITY, August T.
Members of the executive council of
the American Federation of Labor
predicted today a nation wide interest
in the publication last night of
correspondence which passed be-
tween Samuel Gompers, president of
the American Federation of Labor,
and William B. Wilson, former
Secretary Of Labor and of the United
Nine Workers OF America, and
present member Of the stan OF the
Democratic national committee at
Washington.
1t consisted OF a telegram directed
by Mr.. Wilson to MIR. Gompers here
on August l, asking that he have
the executive council defer indorsins
La Toilette: of a letter from Mr..
Wilson received after the indorse-
ment was announced: and of a letter
Mr.. Gompers dispatched today in
behalf Of the executive council. ex-
planning to Mr.. Wilson why the in
dorsement was made when and as it
was, and referring to the post
convention correspondence between
Mr. Davis and Mr.. Gompers
Had Sought Meeting.
The correspondence set forth that
Mr.. Davis had. last July IT, begun
negotiating with Mr.. Gompers for
conference, that conflicting engage
ments kept them apart until Mr.,
Davis suggested that Mr.. Gompers
give him "a statement Of questions in
which labor is chiefly Interested"
1t set forth that Mr. Gompers. pro-
fessing a willingness to confer with
Mr.. Davis, declined this last request,
saying, II cannot submit questions to
you which would not be equally sub
mftted to other candidates for the
presidency.
Asked Deferred Action.
The correspondence sets forth fur
ther that Mr.. Wilson had asked Mr.
Gompers, first, to defer action of the
American Federation OF Labor execu-
tive council in the proposed indorse-
ment OF, La Toilette, and, second. to
adjourn its annual session here. send
representatives to Clarksburg for the
Davis acceptance address and recon-
vene at Clarksburg for consideration
of the Endorsement matter.
The correspondence stated that Mr..
Gompers had replied in part:
THE executive council deemed it.
self fully competent to deal with the
problems intrusted into its keeping
for consideration and action.
I'VE are fully informed as to all
who rendered valuable services in
connection with the Clayton law. At
an opportune time these records and
facts will be fully set forth, in none
Of which does Mr.. John Davis appear.
Does Not Credit Davis.
Regarding your statement that it
was the Supreme Court decision up
holding the Adamson law which pre-
vented a strike on the railroads of
the country and giving Mr.. Davis
credit for having won the decision,
let me recount facts which are in
direct conflict with your statement.
1t was the machinery of the labor
movement and not Mr.. Davis and the
Supreme Court which prevented the
threatened strike.
I'VE are sure that you did not fully
comprehend the nature of your re-
quest or the impossibility of our COM
pliance."
Text Of Letter.
The complete text Of the letter writ
ten by Samuel Gompers to former
Secretary William B. Wilson at
Democratic national headquarters, at
Washington, follows:
Your letter Of August 2, request
ing that the executive council of the
American Federation Of Labor should
not consider and take definite action
regarding the pending political situ-
alton until the executive council or
some person or persons representing
the executive council could attend the
ceremony for the notification OF Mr..
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