The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-06-15

He Declares That He Will Strive Hard to Effect a
Fair settlement of the Strike.

Samuel Gompers, president OF the Ameri-
can Federation OF Labor. arrived in St
Louis last evening the Pennsylvania
line from Washington. The Executive
Committee of the Committee OF Fifty OF
the Central Trades and Labor Union. con-
sisting of Harry Blackmore. Leon Greene
haur. ]. ]. Isaacs. A. W. Morrison. August
Pries,erbach ]. T. Hopperjohn. E. V. Put
nam anc Coils Lovely. met Mr.. Gompers
at the station and escorted him to the La
cIede Hotel
W. ID. Mahon. president Of the Amalga-
mated Association of Street Railway En-
ployes. and Mack M,ssik. secretary of the
local union were unable 10 be at the train
because of meeting of the Executive Com
mittee OF the strikers at Waihalla Hall.
AT o'clock Messrs. Mahon and Missi.i
met Mr.. Gorpers at the hotel ard they and
the representatives of the Central Trades
and Labor Union at once went into con-
ference in Mr. Gompers's room They re-
mained closeted until 1890
AT that time Mr.. Gompers met reporters.
He would not commit himself as TO partic-
ulars. but talked freely about the situation.
The people Of the entire country are in
terested in the present controversy" he
said. IT is the largest struggle which is
now going on In this country under the
auspices of organized labor-deeper in its
ramifications than the Building Trades
trouble in Chicago.
My purpose in coming here Is to do my
level best to effect a settlement. If L fan
It Will not be a theme for qualification on
the part of anybody. L come at the invi-
tation, not alone of labor organizations, but
also at the urgent request of many of the
city's prominent business men.
Tonight in conference with the repre-
sentatives of the strikers, l tried my best
10 get an understa nding of their side of
talked clearly. and 1 may say that l think
l. understand their position. However, 4
Will make as thorough an examination or
the other side before l commit myself TO
an opinion.
I will attend many meetings of the
strikers. whether they be executive or mass.
as can. l understand there are TWO meet
inss tomorrow; 1 will endeavor TO be at
both.
Organized labor all over the country has
shown its confidence in my desire to pro-
mote its interests. Its interests are an hon
orable settlement. and | Will be only too
glad TO help bring about such result.
Any settlement, how ever. must ie honora-
''As TO the several outgrowths Of the
strike. the propositions and counter-proposi-
tions the proposal and effort 10 repeal the
franchises, the buss-line scheme. and 9TH
ers, | do not care as yet to express any
opinion. My first idea ia to grasp the gen
er3i situation.
''As TO The length of my stay here, 1 cam
not say much; il will be determined by cir
cumstances. / do not think. though. that
it will be very long. i have such diversi-
fed interests and many calls that /
cannot give all my time TO ST. Louis, even
If the struggle going on here is one Of the
most important TO organized labor that have
been waged for some time. | want 10 max.
il plain. however, that will leave no stone
unturned in my efforts TO effect a fair set
tlement.
MIR Gompers is short and somewhat
stout, his features are angular and his ewes
dark. He wears his hair comparatively
long and brushed straight back from his
forehead. The mustache and chin whiskers
which used to characterize him. have been
shaved OFF, and. as a consequence, the lines
in his face are fully revealed. He speaks
clearly and in short sentences. In general
conversation he Is genial to strangers, and
shows an aversion TO formality.