The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-13
Senate Committee Takes Up
the Eight-HouI Bill
UNION MEN ARE DENOUNCED
L. {. Payson Says Men Have Died for
Smaller Acts Than Were Commit
ted at Newport News In 1901.
Mr.. Gompers Answers Him.

washington. December 12.-The senate
lonmittee on education and labor today
listened to arguments for and against
the eight-hour bill. James OConnelL
president of the International Association
If Machinists, referred to statement
before the committee made yesterday by
!. H. Null assistant manager at Cramps
bhip yard, Philadelphia, to the effect that
The members of the International associal
lion had tried to destroy the machinery
bf the battleship Alabama and the trans
bort Thomas while they were undergoing
bepairs in the Cramp yards.
Mr.. O'Connell said that nothing of the
kind had ever been brought to his atten-
hon and he did not believe it ever oc-
eurred.
Frank Morrison, secretary of the Amer
can Federation of Labor, made an argu-
nent for the BILL o. McGammon speak
ing against 1t. Former Secretary Of the
Navy Herbert declared there were few
hen in the house of representatives will
ing to take the responsibility of opposing
my labor measure, no matter whether
be approved 1t or not, lest he be set down
Is an enemy to the laboring class. THAT
Explains why" he said this bill and
preceding bills like it, even worse than
It is, passed the house by the large ma
lorities."
Was Treason, Says Payson.
L. E. Payson, for the Newport News
6hipbuilding company referred to the
ytrilxe at Newport News In 1901, and said
that when the battleship Illinois was
sbout to leave the yard on her trial trip
word had gone forth from the labor
bnion that she should not leave the
yards until the union terms were COM
Piled with. He vehemently exclaimed
that it was an act which. If the United
states had been at war, would have beer
reason. Men have suffered the loss OF
their lives for less acts of culpability,'
be said, than were committed against
sur people In June a year ago."
James Duncan, national secretary Of
khe Granite Cutters association. denied
ex-Secretary Herbert's assertion thai
members of the house would not oppose
legislation In order not to appear as enc
mics to labor. He also denied the truth
of Mr.. Payson's statement regarding the
: battleship Illinois.
Samuel Gompers on Stand.
Samuel Gompers, president of the Fed.
eration of Labor, said he had been classec
hs an agitator by the "cyclone and vehe-
ment Judge Payson," but 1t was the
Rgitator who made this country and re-
public, that abolished slavery and thai
saved the children employed in cottor
mills in the southern states.
He vehemently denounced the charge
that the International Association oi
Machinists had attempted to precipitate
a strike in the Cramps ship yard. during
the Spanish war. while government war
ships were being fitted out and that some
of the laboring men had attempted tc
hamper the machinery. Major Carson
Thomas, he stated, had declared the
statements as being without foundation
AS matter of fact, he said. the strike
was not during the Spanish-Americar
war, but late in the year 1899.
Continuing. and speaking with much
fervor, Mr.. Gompers said:
IF any man was guilty of the charge
It was the duty of Mr.. Cramp as a cit.
lien Of our country to make a criminal
charge against him, and to expose to the
world what 1t implied"
He declares that If the bill should fai
10 pass, 1t would be back again In the
next congress. There is no ending In this
demand" he said, until 1t is accom-.
plished."