The evening times., 1899-11-20
aoMpERs ON THE STAND.
The Labor Leader Before the Indus
trial Com mission.

II was not until II O'Clock this morning
that Samuel Gompers, President of tn
American Federation OF Labor. and tn
only witness to testify before the Cnite'
States Industrial Commission today, besal
giving his testimony. He said, at the out
set. that some of the testimony he bat
given at a previous hearing was absolutel.
unintelligible as it appeared in the stem
ographer's typewriter report, because III
matter leading up TO 1t had been strickeI
out.
1--WE will strike out all the testimony O
this character, said Senator Mallory, ''an'
you can supply it again"
Il sat up all Saturday night trying Il
supply the omissions said Mr.. GOmpers
J but l could not. The suppressed matter
occurs in too many places
| Senator Mallory asked the official STEM
/ ographer if he had taken Mr. GOmpers
testimony. and he was informed by the
stenographer that he took some of it,
and that the rest was transcribed by his
| associate stenographer
WAS any Of the matter eliminated" en-
| quired Senator Mallory.
Some of it might have been cut out, u
replied the stenographer.
BY whom asked the Senator.
BY the editor or by his orders.
1T might be that page OF the stem
ographer's notes was not transcribed, in
terjected Commissioner Farquhar.
Yes. that might be the case" respond
ed the stenographer.
The left out matter occurs in too many
places commented Mr.. Gompers, for it to
have been the accidental overlooking OF a
page of the stenographers notes.
Mr.. Farquhar then went to the assistance
of Mr.. Gompers and together they interpo-
lated the language Mr.. Gompers wanted in
serted in his typewriter report of his tes-
timony, TO make il intelligent TO his reader
Mr.. Gompers, after this was done. re-
sumed his testimony. and said THAI the first
trade union label was adopted by the Cigar
makers Union at a national convention In
Chicago in 1880, and that since then. thirty
seven national unions had adopted labels,
besides. in some cases where 70 national
unions exist. labels had also been adopted.
He said the label is some times sold 10
manufacturers. The label is a guarantee
of sanitary conditions, and of the hours OF
labor; it has far-reachirg effect in. first.
producing activity among the members. and
next in creating a fraterRal feeling among
members OF organizations
At the request of Senator Mallory. Mr..
Gompers sent 10 the headquarters OF the
Federation of Labor for sample of the
labels used by labor organizations. While
waiting for them. Mr. Gompers said that he
would show the commission how one label
is used. and he took of his coat and ex-
hibitsd a label of the Clothing Makers AS
sociation. sew2d TO the lining of the sleeve
and said that by such labels he could tell
who made the garment
1T is an unwritten law he said among
union men TO purchase union made goods
and not 10 buy non-union made. or unfair
goods. We have one-hundred ard fifty
union labsl leagues separate from and in
dependent of the Central Labor Union
Apart from this we have fully one hundred
ladies' auxiliary associations, whose OBJ
jects are TO aid in the efforts of unions
Non-union made goods are not necessarily
deemed unfair goods. but generally they
are. Some States have passed laws regu-
lating labels. The laws OF Tennessee. New
York. New Jersey. and Massachusetts are
about the best relative 10 labels and their
protection.