The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-02-27
Judge McCammon Makes
Sharp Reply to Labor
Leader.
DECLARES BILL SOCIALiSTiC
Says 1t Makes American Workman Sub
ject to Congressional Despotisru-Mr.
Samuel Gompers Stirred Up Over At
tack

The usual monotony OF the hearings be-
fore the Labor Committee of the House
On the eighthour bill was relieved yes
terday by clash between Judge Mccain
mon. appearing for a number OF Govern
ment contractors. and Mr.. Samuel Com
pers. representing the American Fedora
ton of Labor.
1t arose from a statement made by Mr..
Gompers regarding the conference he held
last summer with Mr.. Schwab and Mr..
Corey. president of the Homestead Works.
In arbitrating the great steel strike.
Mr.. Gompers said on that occasion that
both of the magnates informed him they
favored an eight hour law should it ap-
ply universally TO all such manufactures
as interested them. Mr.. McCammon told
Mr.. Gompers very emphatically that he
was mistaken. that while Schwab and
Corey did favor universal cight-hour
system they were opposed to an eight
hour law because of its prohibitive and
unjust tendencies.
Unlike in Manner
like in method and manner than the labor
leader and Judge McCammon. Mr.. Com
pers is short. florid. dark-haired. eXcita-
Bile in beth gesture and speech. arguing
with the dramatic fire Of an inspired ac-
tor Judge McCammon-cold, gray, and
austere-utters every word with great de-
liberation.
lot OIL hex ROY.
resent two entirely different types Of ora
tory Il can't imagine that Messrs.
Sohwab and Corey made he statement at
tributed to them by Mr.. Gompers,' re-
marked Judge McCammon slowly, and l
refuse to believe it.
They favor an eight-hour system, not
an eight-hour law. and you Will find that
identical language in the briefs of the
lawyers representing these contractors. My
objection is that through this law you are
trying to block certain special interests in
an endeavor to penalize the people who
have contracts with the Government, for
this bill makes it penal offence if work
on Government contract extends over
eight hours.
Denies LaboTer Rights.
''Messrs. Corey and Schwab are not
FOOLS pursued Judge McCammon:
they know that this law is contrary to
every interest that they are identified with,
and It is contrary to our idea of American
liberty. 1t denies the laboring man the
right 10 work as long as he pleases, and
as long as his employer should see fit to
employ him. II is blow at the princi-
pies which our forefatners fought for
what is known the world over as Anglo
Saxon freedom.
1T is socialism of the very worst type
and if tAe bill succeeds it will bring con-
tumely on those who urge its passage
Briefly" concluded the Judge, cit
makes tie American workman the sub
ject of Congressional desDJtism."
When Mr. Gompers arose to reply there /
was & grim look ON his face, as he said.
with vehemence:
IF at any time I shall accomplish in
any direction. through the slightest of eff
forts. step that will secure more liberty /
TO- the American workman. shall well
come such contumely, and after | am
gone would have that to be the fondest
recollectiCns of those vino come after me-,
Judge McCammon Explains.
After a pause Mr.. Gomners said in a
more quiet tone: u am free to admit
that il we cannot make good steel within
eight hours that one fact vitality attacks
this eight hour bill" Z
Judge McCammon said he desired TO ev-
plain both TO Mr.. Gompers and the COM
rnittee that the word 'contumely' was not
used in connection with the eight hour
law, but with that part of the bill which
torbids workman from laboring more
than eight hours day on a Government
contract.
We are against any BILL" he said,
that has SO pernicious clause forbid
ling labor extending over eight hours on
certain work or in any business emer
sency that might arise
Chairman Gardner remarked that the
discussion seemed to have reached the
point where this fact was to be consid-
cred, whether it was possible to manu-
-aeture guns and armor plate for the
Government under an eight hour law. and
II such work could be produced with as
results as under the present