Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-12-16
BODY OF GOMPERS
ARRIVES IN CAPITAL
Public to Pass Bier at 4::30
O'Clock at Headquarters
of A. F. of L.
ARMY GUARD AT STATION
War Department Honors Labor
Leader With Escort-Flowers in
Magnificent Array.

The body of Samuel Gompers came
back to Washington scene of his
achievements and struggles as head of
the organized labor movement in
America, shortly after o'clock today.
The funeral party was met by hosts of
delegates from various labor organiza-
tions, by officials of associations Of va
rious types and by the family of the de-
ceased president of the American Fed
GRAFTON Of Labor.
The casket was borne through the
concourse of the Union Station before
the silent forms and bowed heads of
hundreds of spectators. The cortege
formed in the President room OF the
Union Station and the remains were
placed upon an artillery caisson, which
was ordered by the War Department at
the eleventh hour today as an addi-
tional mark of respect to the memory
of Mr.. Gompers.
Body Will Leave Tonight.
Tonight at 10 80 o'clock the body will
leave that building forever, going back
to the Union Station and thence to New
York and Sleepy Hollow, where his last
resting place will be. But there are few
in the A F. of l. Building who believe
that his spirit will not live there for
in the things he had done during life.
A different route will be followed
tonight. Leaving Washington, the
casket will be accompanied by a pro-
cession west on Massachusetts, ave-
nue. to 10th street, south to H street,
east to Massachusetts avenue and
thence to the Union Station.
After the arrival of the cortege at
the A. F. of L. Building the interval
until 4:30 o'clock was allotted to rela-
tives and intimate asseciStes Of the.
deceased, to view the body. A. J.
Berres of the metal trades depart
rangements here.
Room Recalls Leader.
repose at the headquarters where
Samuel Gompers sat at the head of
the American organized labor move
ment is closely connected with events
Of his life. In the room with the
body will be hve outstanding SYM
bols Directly above the bronze
casket will be the pure silk American
flag. which was for years on the
platform with Mr.. Gompers at con-
ventions of the American Federation
of Labor.
flag be transported thousands of
miles to convention cities. On the
opposite wall facing it is a banner
only slightly less profound in its
significance.
1t is the standard of the American
Federation of Labor, which, with the
American flag, also was always at
the A. F. of l. conventions. Then
on the wall is the head of a stag
elk. which has dual significance.
both because of Mr.. Gompers' con-
nection with the fraternal body of
which the animal is a symbol and be-
cause it was presented by a group
of local unions from Wyoming in
1916.
The two remaining items are des-
tined to become treasures of the
American Federation of Labor. One
is the delineation of the features of
of Mr.. Gompers on canvass. The
other is a bust by Dykaar, completed
this year and already close to the
hearts of intimate associates of Mr..
Gompers as a life-like reproduction
in white marble. Mr.. Gompers posed
for this bust while he worked on his
autobiography.
short Ceremonies Here.
This. then, is the setting for the
final visit of Samuel Gompers to the
scene of his labors.
Short ceremonial services will be
conducted by the Elks and by the
Mystic Shrine during the halt here
Simplicity will be the dominant fea-
ture.
From all parts of the world mes
sages of coincidence were flooding the
American Federation of Labor head
quarters today. They told of labor
temples throughout the length and
breadth of the Nation draped in
mourning. of flags flying at half
staff, of the great sense of bereave-
ment American labor feels at the loss
of its chieftain.
From high places in collateral or
ganizations, associations and govern
menos also came kilograms. Presi-
dent Gales of Mexico sent a personal
wire. From Newca stle- on Tyne, Eng
land, the Ship Constructors and Ship
wrights Association cabled. The Ber-
lin General Federation of Trade
Unions, the Belgian Trade Unions, the
International Federation of Trades
Unions, Cuba and other places came
messages. The Federal Council of
Churches of Christ sent an expression.
The American Government viii be
represented in the host of mourners
by a military guard of honor, com
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