The morning call., 1891-03-07

O. S37Ntiel GoUpeTS
favorable impression with every one by
saying that his time was at the service of
the committee, and whatever arrangements
it had made would be highly satisfactory to
him.
a CALL reporter was among those who
net Mr.. GompeIs in Oakland, and before
this city had been reached an interview
with the noted labor leader was secured.
Mr.. Gompers is OF medium build, dark COM
plexion and has yet dark hair and mus
taehe He has a pleasing countenance and
his eyes flash with intelligence while he ex-
presses lis views on the labor problem of
the country IN a clear, concise manner.
Although somewhat fatigued by his journey,
Il Z readily consented to devote the few min
utes at his disposal to the representative Of
TIE CALL.
ii Is five weeks since I left New York, j."
he SAID. land during my westward journey
/ stopped at various cities in Ohio, Indiana,
Missouri. Kansas and Colorado After re-
naming in the vicinity OF san Francisco for
about ten days, l shall Dr. coed north, max
ing visits at Astoria, Portland, Tacoma and
Seattle. ! intend to return East on the
Northern Pacific, making stops az the prln-
cipal labor ceuters along that line. This
VIII take about eight weeks, and my whole
tour VIII have consumed over thirteen
weeks by the time | return to New York"
OBJECTS OF HIS VISIT.
What are the chief objects Of your pres
ent tOuT?"
My principal object is to So cure the sup
port of labor unions for the coal-miners
throughout the United States, who intend
TO demand that on and after May LIST eight
hours shall constitute a days work. Of
course, we anticipate some opposition on the
part OF the mine-Owners TO this important
+lnrF toll
with tie combined aid OF labor unions feel
confident that it will be accomplished.
=" The carpenters were successful in re-
dUcing their hours of labor to eight hours a
day, and there seems to be no reason why
fhe coal-miue!s of the nation should not
succeed also. There will be a conference
between committees of the miners and
mine-0wuers in a few weeks, when | think
a satisfactory agreement will be arrived at.
In fact, think it viii be only short time
before wOrknen in every trade viii have to
work only eight hours day.
"Thert.are various matters of minor i'm
pottance that will also receive my attention
and many questions among the miners are
referred to me for settlement. l pay con-
siderable attention TO organization and have
to straighten out kinks or disputes among
different unions"
Have you formed any opinion as to the
nature Of a settlement Of the brewery work
men's Troubles in San Francisco?'
That Is a matter ! shall have to investi-
gate as soon as possible. L can state nothing
Interference TO a settlement until have had
a chance to hear more fully the stories of
both sides to the controversy"
THE LABOR SITUATION.
What are your views on the present
labor situation of the cOuntTy?'
'.Ehe outlook was never more promising
for the ameloration of the condition of the
labonHg classes. The American Federation
r.F 7 H.. Ii safr
there are representatives in every city,
town and hamlet in the Union. The pros
poets are unusually bright. Everything
tends to indicate that the trades unions of
the country are surely working out their
own emancipation"
- Are the Knights of Labor still a power
ful factor in the industrial condition of the
country?
Il would rather be excused from publicly
expressing my views in reference to that or
ganizaton. Its interests have always
clashed with the American Federation of
Labor, and for that reason l do not desire
to criticize its principles. | believe in a
conservative policy, and my views in refer
ence 10 trades unions are too we'll known TO
require repetition"
Is II true that you are OPPOSED to strikes
and bOycOtts2'
- Yes; but the statement must be qualified
to be thoroughly understood. The best way
10 obYiate strikes and boycotts is to provide
for them. From a strong labor organiza-
ton just treatment follows, and with fair
ness ON the part Of employers there is no
desire on the part Of employees TO strike.
The stronger the organization the fewer the
strikes. II men are not organized they will
have TO strike. First one employer will cut
wages and then another, until the rate fails
so low that the men must strike to protect
their interests. There can be no doubt that
organization decreases strikes and helps adj
vance the progress Of manufactures. A
weak union, or 10 union at all, diseourages
invention and tends 10 shift the cost of
Mastetul methods on the laborer. | am
Heartily opposed to sympathetic and foolish
strikes"
WELCOMED IN SAN FRANCISCO.
by this time the boat had almost reached
the city, and the interview terminated. Ad- |
ditl0nal representatives of the trades fed |
Grafton were waiting at the wharf 10 meet
and welcome the lanor leader and among |
Them were: James Roxburg, Henry Kret- |
low, ID. Mnllender, Thomas Finneriv L. I |
Cannon, w. J. b. Mackay, Joseph Valen- |
tine, w. Dundas and II. ID. Goodman. The |
Coast Spamen's Union turned out 400 strong |
IN their pretty uniforms Of white and blue |
and was drawn up at the ferry to meet he |
visitor.
Mr.. Gompers and the members of the eom-
mittees entered carriages and were escorted |
by the Seamen's Union under the leader |
ship OF Edward Anderson, Grand Marshal, |
ana HeprY Ark, Captain, to the headouar- |
lers OF che Council of Federated Trades at |
the corner of Second and Mission streets. |
ne parade was headed by a band. The |
appearance of Mr.. Gompers was frequently |
sIeeted with cheers along the line Of march.
Arriving al second and Mission streets the