Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-08-03
N r. GOMPERS TALKS
The President of the American Federation
Visits Washington.
An Address to District wOrkmea-He
AdviseG Organizations to
Eschew Politics.

President Samuel Gompers Of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor, who has been for
some weeks past in the east, came over
from Baltimore yesterday afternoon, and
at o'clock addressed good-sized audi
ence composed of members Of the unions
affiliated with the Central Labor Union Of
the District of Columbia at Typographical
Hail.
Mr.. Gompers was expected to arrive
about 4 o'clock, and at that time a large
number of persons were present to hear
MIN. but learning that he had been delayed
on the way many thought he would not
come at all and left the building.
President Milford Spohn of the Central
Labor Union presided at the meeting and
introduced President Gompers. Mr.. Com
pers. in the course Of his remarks said
referring 10 the organization of the Dis
trict:
Central Labor Union.
The honest, manly trade unionists have
refused longer to be driven by an element
which is essentially anri-union. You have
organized central union and have become
part Of what the president Of your central
body has aptly termed the democracy of
labor. When 1 was informed OF this fact
was highly gratified. and the information
was carried to every organization in the
country, and every organization was graft
neo TO know that at the national capital
AT last, after years of waiting, a central
Dody In sympathy and utilization with the
grand force of labor was an ACCOMPLISHED
Iact' that here at last was an organizatio
hsar the law-making power which would
honestly and intelligently give attention to
!equireu legislation. and not block legisla-
,ioh 10 secure position or be controlled
py congressman who had places to be-
STOW. mis- has been done by an organiza-
tlon which does not organize a movement
&c Co.
inns country; II is inconsistent with orr in
sututlons. 1t is much better fitted to thrive
III russia We want no labor autocracy in
a land where all are supposed To he f,aa
we want no chief with national authoritv.
no cnief OF a district or an assembly You
should not be required to bend the knee I'd
any man. While am president of the
American Fedora ton of Labor. an bonnr
which 1 highly appreciate, / win NOT bend
my Knee to any man and 1 will not ask
any man to bend his knee to me.
III Is objected by some" Mr. Com
pers said, that trade unionism is still in
the old ruts. Well, those old ruts ars +ir,a
tried' IN them trades unionism has accom-
pilshed all the good and forced ALI the adj
Tance en-, that is enjoyed by labor today
Inc Old ruts have been hallowed nv sacri
ices and made glorious by the victories of
struggling labor for centuries
, Again X Is said that we are too slow
+ rom me history of the progress of the
race We learn that permanent advancement
IS made by slow strides; thai the ei,mt
STRIDES which leaves public sentiment and
opinion far behind will ere long be forcej
10 STRIDE backward. perhaps to the rear.
1t is through agitation and educstion 49,
We VIII accomplish final results We roust
earn and deserve the respect of the great
pubic before We can convince the public
mat deep down beneath the surface of our
movement is a philosophy sufficiently con,
PiehehsNe as 10 embrace all Questions of
material interest to men and broad enough
Tor the race
Warned Against Politics,
we are entering upon a national political
campaign. and have considered it NV duty
to send to all affiliated bodies a circular
letter advising them not to permit politics
within the organizations. You have re-
ceived that letter l learned from the Trade
tnlonist L am here TO repeat and empha-
size what was written. Keep politics out
OF your union. Keep out all isms and lists
Let no organization indorse the democrat
let none indorse the republican. As union
man maintain your freedom of political ac-
ton. In the organizations may be found
the democrat, republican, populist and So
ciallst, and they have right to their hon.
est convictions, the same right that men
have to worship at any altar they please.
Exercise your political privileges to the
fullest extent. / cannot so advise here, for
you have no vote, yet you take a lively in
terest in politics. Be republicans or demo-
Gratis, or whatever you please politically
outside of your meeting room, but within
he nothing more less than union men.
You have but threee months of the cam
paign; you will need your union after the
election is over, and whatever differences
you may. have had politically; whether one
Iejoices in success and the other laments
defeat, you can all meet upon the common
ground of unionism and accomplish more
for the advancement and good of labor than
can ever he accomplished by those who as
senble at the other end of your city. While
the politician will tell you that you should
vote his ticket in support of a Mckinley
bill or Wilson bill, remember that the
workingman should always favor the dollar
bill" Mr.. Gompers explained at consid-
cradle length the objects and methods Of
the American federation.
During the delivery Of his address MIR.
Gompers was frequently applauded.
Afterward he held an informal reception.
Later he met the prominent trade unionists
in conference, in which the local labor sit
uation was thoroughly considered. He eX-
pressed much qualification with the local
situation, and warmly congratulated those
trade unions was formed here.
Mr.. Gompers left the city this morning
for New York, where he will speak before
a mass meeting of the striking tailors We'd
nesday evening.
Annual Missionary Meeting.
This city Of conventions will be again