The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1940-05-30

of l.. had its beginning. Gompers, who
was at first chairman Of its legislative
committee, rose by sheer zeal and ac-
tivity to it's presidency in 1888. There
after, save for one short period, the
names of Gompers and the federation
were inextricably linked. Ethelbert
Stewart, United States Commissioner
of Labor, who knew Gompers at this
time, said the federation was Sans
Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
And here the motion picture must
faithfully depict the federations first
office, an eight by 10 room donated by
the Cigar Makers Union, furnished by
Gompers (who had no funds) with a
kitchen table, a child's writing desk,
some crates to be used for chairs,
and empty tomato boxes as filing
cases.
Pure trade unionism, free of social
ism, free of politics, free-in later
years-of the taint of Communism
was Gompers' creed. Through times Of
labor strife, through panic and hard
times, through persecution of labor
from high authorities, he held the fed
Grafton together. The bloody strikes OF
Homestead, Pullman, and Leadville
may flash on the screen with crackle
of shots. Then the greater thunder of
guns from Manila harbor as Spanish
rule is blasted from Cuba. Meantime
the federation pressing ever forward,
stood at last on firm ground as the
Knights dwindled gradually away. Its
offices were moved to Washington
Gompers embarked on persistent
campaign for the eight-hour day.
Gene Debs' American Railway
Union, and the Industrial Workers of
the World, both attempts at mass
unionism, rose up, had their little day
and dwindled to nothing. Gompers fire.
quently clashed with the Socialist
Party. In his debate with Morris Hill
quit he set forth the fundamental diff
ferences between his policies anC
theirs. Giant industries grew in welt
er of labor conflict. William j. Burns
and the National Association of Manu-
facturers were bitter enemies of the
unions. Labor used the boycott as it,
secondary weapon until brought up b!
the profound shock of the Danbur!
Hatters' case.
1t will be a temptation to linger ove1
the colorful impressions of Theodore
Roosevelt, Champ Clark, Bob La Fol
lette, as Gompers gained political in
fluence and began to secure nationa
labor legislation. Like the script
writer, we are finding it difficult t.
know what to select from the man.
dramatic and significant contacts o
this rich life. The World War
Gompers on national stage, encour
aging labor to do it's utmost fo
democracy and America, feted by tn
great, receiving President Woodro,
Wilson who came to speak to the con
vention of the American. Federation 0
! Labor in 1917. But never 3in Old Sam
life was it wholly peace, even With
the federation. His was the never-enC
ing battle. On the one hand there wer
!, unwilling followers to persuade G
t coerce; on the other, recognition fc
:, labor to be secured from the govern
e ment. Another great chapter to be pic
e tured would be Gomper's relation
o with the international labor move
d ment abroad and with the Europea
trade unions, which eliminated in til
: formation Of the International Labc
: Organization.
In August, 1913, into the magnifcel
throne room OF the King and Quee
II of England, strode the powerful, squs
!, figure of Sam Gompers, to be pr,
: senter to their majesties and most co
T. daily received. He had come to figl
y down the defeatism of the socialists
- to whip up the fighting spirit of labt
for victory in the war As Ray Stal
: nard Baker says, "He told Britis
French and Italian labor leaders VIII;
they must do to be saved"
~ And after war? An antiunion, WAC
y, cutting crusade of the industrialist
g "back to normalcy' with Hardin
s Gompers dsillusioned, heart broke
90 90 yet never ready to quit. Sick, failir
= in eyesight, saddened by betrayal, !
~ turned toward the warm friendship
- the labor organizations of Mexico, al
y gave them his help by forming II
, Pan American Federation of Labor.
!, is comforting to remember that Il
- SCARED veterans end came after
u visit to this sunny country where
=, was hailed and adulated as labor
y, greatest hero.