Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-12-18
BODY Of GOMPERS
ARRIVES IN CAPITAL;
SEEN BY THOUSANDS

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16.-The flu
neral train bearing the body of Sam
uel Gompers reached Washington at
3:15 p. m. today.
After being viewed by thousands
as it lay in state in the federation of
labor hall, for six hours, the body
was to be taken to New York Tues
day night, at 10 o'clock, for inter
ment in it's last resting place at
Sleepy Hollow cemetery at larry
town, n. Y.
Through the mountains and val
Ieys Of West Virginia and Maryland,
the train pushed it's way today, halt
ing frequently to permit thousands
to see the face of the dead leader.
Many thousands had to be turned
away because of lack of time. The
train arrived at Cumberland at 11:3Q
a. m. about 80 minutes late.
A few miles outside of Piedmont,
Y. Va, the locomotive pulled the
coupling that attaches it to the train
and rushed on down the track, leav-
ing the coaches to come to a stop
on a down grade under action of the
automatic airbrakes. The cars stop
ped gently and it was not known
what had happened until the brake
man stepped off to discover that the
train was without an engine. In a
few minutes a shrill blast from the
locomotive announced that the en-
ginemen had discovered they were
without a train.
At Keyser, w. Va, a town of 5000
population, more than 1000 assem-
bled to see the bier, but only a part
could be accommodated. All the
mountain towns paid a similar trib-
ute and where the train did not stop,
moment to bare their heads as the
funeral cortege passed.
Thousands See Body
Thousands of his peighbors in
Washington and his co-workers in
the ranks of organized labor passed
by the body as it lay in state Tues
day in the federation building here.
A brief period after arrival of the
funeral train this afternoon was set
aside for the gathering of members
of the immediate family of Mr.
Gompers for a few last minutes
alone beside his bier, and nearly all
the time remaining before departure
of the train late at night was given
over to the general public.
Although the federal government,
through its high officials, took
no part in the obsequies here, a
military guard of honor, comprising
a sergeant and ten men was ordered
tc accompany the body through the
streets of the capital
In recognition of his conspicuous
war service, and at the request of
officers of the American Federation
of Labor said a statement by the
war department, the war depart
ment has detailed a sergeant an ten
men to guard the remains of the
late Samuel Gompers from the Union
station to the headquarters of the
American Federation of Labor, Of
which he eWas president, and on the
return to the station"
The order, issued by Secretary
Weeks, was a recognition of Mr.
Gompers' leadership of labor during
the war, when he worked for CO.
operation of employees in mupition
plants, shipyards and industrial es-
adjustments.
Body Rests in Federation Hall
The familiar corridors Of the
American Federation of Labor head
quarters, silenced utterly Of all ac
tivity since the hour Of his death
had seemed to sense the meaning OF
If nvor hofora Tho ooJv, re +Io 1oo,l
labor chieftain was borne there for
last brief stay 1t remained only
for the quiet tread of his host Of
friends and associates in the nation.
al capital, seeking their last sight
of him as the casket luay there in
state, to make the meaning wholly
clear.
Reaching in mid-afternoon the end
of his long journey here from San
Antonio, Texas, the body from
thence was claimed the special
charge of Mr.. Gompers' closest as
sociates here in arrangements for
the funeral procession from Union
station to the headquarters build
ing in northwest Washington. Borne
through the presidents room in the
station, the spacious plaza fronting
it was the forming point for the pro
cession. includin" members of the
federatiOn's executive council and
other labor chiefs and associates ar
irving on the train with the body
John B. Colpoys, Washington pub.
Usher, was named marshal of the
procession, with six labor heads
designated as active pallbearers.
WHOLE NATION WILL HONOR
G0MPERS AT \. y. FUNERAL
NEW YORK, Dec. 16.-The en-
tire nation, officially and through
representatives of finance, business,
industry and professions, will share
with labor in honoring it's dead
chieftain, Samuel Gompers, at his
funeral here Thursday morning, it
was indicated in completed arrange
ments announced today by Hugn
t'rayne, national organizer of the
American Federation of Labor.
Several thousand union represen-
tatives from more than forty-five in
dividual labor groups as far west as
Chicago and St. Louis will attend
the services. In addition, there will
be several hundred men of prom;-
hence representing the national
state and city governments, the
army and navy, the national guard,
banking and other circles.
Invitations have been issued to
Secretary Hughes and Chief Justice
Taft to act as honorary pallbearers.
Governor Smith, with his military
staff, and Mayor Hylan will be pres
ent as representatives Of the state
and city.
Masonic services at the grave in
Sleepy Hollow cemetery. at larry
town, will be conducted by the
Very Rev. Oscar F. r. Treder. chap
lain Of the grand lodge of the state
of New York and dean of the pro
cathedral at Garden City. St. Cecile
lodge. No. 568. the actors and news
papermen's lodge. Of this city. is in
charge Of the services, which will
follow the Jewish service and the
Elks' ritual.