The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-12-13

lions IN restraint OF trade; and
the law regulating punishment for
contempt Of court. He was also d.
rectly responsible for the legislation
which created the Department of
Labor as separate department Of
the Federal government with cab.
met member at it's head.
In his long administration Of the
American Federation Of Labor, Mr..
Gompers was constantly called upon
to avert threatened schisms in the
organization, and to bring together
fractional elements which developed
from time to time. By his efforts
compromise after compromise was
effected, and the unity of the fed
Grafton was maintained. Through
out, he was staunch advocate Of
the "trade union" system Of labor
organization as opposed to the Gin
dustrial union" system, and his ef-
forts and those Of his followers de-
veloped the American labor move
ment along the lines Of the former
plan. He was constantly called up
on by unions affiliated with. the
Federation to act as arbitrator and
mediator in labor disputes, and he
probably settled by his individual eff
forts more strikes than any other
man in labor history.
Born in London
Samuel Gompers was born in Lon
don, England, January q, 1850. His
father was cigar-maker and Sam
uel was the eldest Of eight children.
His mother was a woman of excel
lent education and through her in
fluence he was led to study. Not
withstanding the fact that at the
age of ten he began to help his
father support the family. He went
to school after his sixth to his tenth
year and was then apprenticed to a
shoemaker. This trade was not to
his liking, however, and he learned
the trade of his father and while
working as cigar-maker attended
evening school for four years.
Z He came to the United States
when he was thirteen years old and
worked as a cigar maker in New
York City. In 1864 he first became
identified with the labor movement
when he helped organize the Cigar
Makers International Union. He
served as secretary and president Of
the union for six years and under
his management it became large
and successful organization. He also
edited the local paper of the Cigar
Makers Union, the "Picket" during
that time. It was in connection with
this work that he became interested
in national association Of trade
unions that would preserve the au-
tonomy of the local organizations.
Under his leadership the Cigar
Makers Union fought the Knights
of Labor on this principle. He SER
we'd as president of the New York
State Federation of Labor for two
years, and in 1881 founded the ma
tional Federation, serving as it's
president for the first five years
without compensation.
Several opportunities. to enter pub
lie office were declined by Mr.. Com
pcrs at different times in his career.
He refused to run for the state SEN
ate in New York, although offered
both Republican and Democratic NOM
nations. He declined republican
nomination for Congress. Governor
Hill of New York offered him a place
on the state board of arbitration
and President Mckinley rendered
him an appointment on the Indus
trial Commission, but he declined
both. He was active in the agita-
ton for treaty between the United
States and Great Britain which
would provide for the arbitration Of
all disputes.
In 1898 he served as delegate to
the National Conference held at
Saratoga, N. Y, to discuss ways and
means to meet the conditions in the
United States growing out of the
Spanish-American war and he was a
member Of the committee that pre-
scented the views Of that conference
to President Mckinley.
Was Author
Notwithstanding earnest opposi-
ton by substantial part Of the
union labor element, Mr.. Gompers
took an active part in the organiza-
ton of the National Civic FEEDER
alton, formed to establish better re-
lations between capital and labor.
He represented labor in the FEEDER
alton, and was Vice President of the
organization. He took part in many
congresses, conferences and conven-
tions devoted to the promotion of
social service.
He was affiliated with the Society
for Ethical Culture of New York
City, established in 1867 by Felix
Adler, and in addition to the Amer
lean Federation Of Labor he remain
ed an active member of the Cigar
Makers International Union. He al
so belonged to the Free and Accept
ed Masons, the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent and
Protective Order of Elks and the
Home Club.
He was the author of numerous
small pamphlets in the nature of
tracks on labor questions, wrote a
book on the world labor movement
and edited the American Fedora
ZIONIST" the official organ of the
American Federation.
Throughout his career, Mr.. Com
pers refused to become identified
with any political party, taking the
position that he could be of more
service to the cause Of labor by
holding himself aloof from identifi-
cation. with any single political or
ganization.
He married Sophia Julian, of New
York, and their family consisted of
three sons and daughter.
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