The Kevin review. [volume] (Kevin, Mont.) 1922-1929, 1924-12-18
Gompers' Career

OF Samuel GOmperS. His name will bt
written beside those of men who giud
ed the nation through its latter day
trials and eventually, sacrificing them
selves on the altar of patriotism
brought it safely past the breakers o.
war, industrial strife and general un.
rest which threatened time and AGAR
to bring disaster upon it.
The recognized leader of organized
labor in the United States, a diplomat
of worldwide reputation and a writer
of marked ability, Samuel Gompers
took a powerful part in bringing the
war with Germany and Austria-Hun-
gary to a successful conclusion. From
the minute he became leader of organ
lied labor in America Gompers had to
| fight. He was fighting day and night
for the ideals he and his followers
thought worth dying for, and this early
training stood him in good stead when
he was put to the real test in 1917, the
year America declared war.
Born in England on January 81, 1850,
Il oOi VI II anu Ddl Oil tDCloy
he received his early education in the
British Isles, but came to America
when still a boy. At the age Of Is,
when most boys of today are just COM
plotting their first schooling and play
ing marbles, Samuel Gompersr embark
ed on his stormy career as a labor lead
er. He was then a cigar maker, work
ing for a weekly wage, that today
would scarcely keep a man alive 4S
hours.
From the minute Gompers realized
the plight of his fellow workers and
decided to try to correct their misfor-
tunes he had to battle against a foe
that was prepared and waiting for the
ordeal it knew must sooner or later
come. But the youthful organizer
the movement to organize American
working men and incorporate them in
one great powerful association that he
became recognized as the real
leader of labor in this country. He
was one of the charter organizers of
the American Federation of Labor, and
became its president in 1882, which
position he held until the day of his
death, with the exception of one year,
1894, when John Mcbride of the min
ers' union defeated him.
GOmpers' battle on behalf of the
did not end with his duties as
president of the American Federation
IF Labor, arduous though theye were.
He was editor of the fe~deration's Off
nial organ, the Federationist, and he
If this magazine that he eventually be-
,ame involved in trouble with the
United States supreme court, arising
rom his criticism of the injunction
in the famous Buck Stove and
Range case.
When Germany had been crushed
the peace congress was called to
meet in Paris, Samuel Gompers, the
ormer c~igarmaker, was sent over to
axe care of American laboring mems
interests. What he accomplished there
md at the international labor congress
leld in Amsterdam some weeks later,
.annot be judged at this time. Poster
ty must render the verdict after his
deals have been given a fair trial.
GOmpers, however, virtually domina-
ed the labor conference and was re-
lponsible for the rejection of a plan
which would have given unimportant
title nations with total populations of
ess than 100000 equal voting power
With such nations as Great Britain and
he United States, which represent mil
ions of workers. Under the Gompers
Ian the voting power of the nations
vas regulated according to the popula-
ions of the various governments con-
erned.
GOmpers returned home covered with
ronors. He was a passenger on the
transport George Washington, the
anne vessel hat carried President Will
on to and from the peace conference.
At the annual session of the Ameri-
an Federation of Labor at Ell Paso,
'exas, in November, 1924, Mr.. Com
ers was elected president for the for
time. That session was fol
owed by a joint meeting of the Ameri-
an Federation of Labor and the MeNi-
an Federation of Labor, sessions of
he Pan-American Federation of Labor
the Inauguration of President
allies of Mexico, which officials of all
attended at Mexico City.
In Mexico City Mr.. Gompers was the
ictim of recurrence of an ailment
'hich has kept him more or less an
valid for some years. Complicated
y a slight cold and aggravated by the
Ugh altitude, the aged labor leader
as unable to attend the closing cere-
lonies of the inauguration.
Gompers was the personal friend of
x American observation-disclosures
o%osevelt, Taft, Wilson, Harding and
coolidge.
Chambers Bury Hatchet
Atlanta.-Asa G. Chandler, capital