The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-12-17
MINERS CASE
HAS been
CONCLUDED
IConcluded from Page 81


with larger questions with some hope of
accomplishing something
In response to a question by Com-
missioner Wright as to what he com
pretended in the phrase recognition or
the union,' Mr. Gompers said:
REPRESENTATIVES, of both parties meet
ing and agreeing on terms of employ
ment for ~ specific period, and making
II compact that no strike or lockout
shall be inaugurated during the speci-
fed period, but instead that differen-
ccs shall be adjusted by u compulsory
policy, and in case of this failing, that
arbitration shall be invoked.
The Cross Examination.
Mr.. Torrey conducted the cross -eXam-
ination of President Gompers. Like
some of the preceding witnesses MIR.
Gompers had written things and Mr..
Torrey was prepared to confront him
with the writings.
One of the things Mr.. Torrey paraded
before him was an article from the AM
erican Federationist, in which MIR.
Gompers declared the third party" to
the mine strike-the public-had no
rights to either interfere with the min
ers staying out on strike or to force the
operators to open up their mines. Mr..
Gompers said he still subscribed to that
view.
In report of the industrial commits
sion, of 1901 Il statement to the effect
that the American Federation of Labor
is antagonistic to all attempts to sup
press the boycott. and that President
Gompers in the national convention of
the federation in 1896 advised that if Il
court grants an injunction against a
boycott. the name of the boycotted par
ty and the grievance against him be
printed together with Il statement that
I'VE are enjoined from boycottng this
party"
Mr.. Gompers denied this. He advised.
he said, that the injunction itself be
published broadcast.
ITO strengthen the boycott ! sup
pose?" queried Mr.. Torrey.
DO you think the publication of the
injunction would be more effective than
the boycott itself?' asked Mr.. Gom-
pers, and then, after "a brief pause. he
added: well. if you do. your views
are all right
Mr.. Gompers said it was possibly
wrong 10 give every local body OF
trades unionism the power to inf1ict
boycotts, and admitted that private
spites or commercial rivalry might
sometimes enter into the infliction.
TO Judge Gray's inquiry. Mr.. Com
pers said the observance of Il boycott
was not obligatory on any member Of
a union. 1t was left to his own con-
science.
Improper Uses.
10 boycott a merchant for refusing
to sell necessaries of life to non-union
men. or to boycott school teachers be-
cause their relatives We're non-strikers
were improper uses of the boycott, Mr..
Gompers admitted. "A rather far
fetched use of it, is the way he put it.
Mr.. Torrey concluded the cross-eX-
animation by reading from the constl-
tuition of the Brotherhood of Locomo-
live Engineers certain disciplinary
clauses ntlictng penalties OF expulsion
for drunkenness and so on. and asked
Mr. Gompers if he did not think the
United Mine Workers could improve
heir standing before the public, and
particularly in the eyes of the oper-
ators. by making some provision for
disciplining their members for breaches
of this and similar kinds.
when the mine workers come to be
regarded by the operators with the
friendliness and confidence that the
railroads regard the engineers said
Mr.. Gompers, THE miners will likely
be disposed to make their constitution
conform more closely to the views OF
the operators. There are some things
in the matter of policy the miners
should adopt, but not just yet"
\ provision of the engineers organ
iZltion is that no illiterate man shall
be initiated. Ten yearS from now"
said Mr.. Gompers, ''the miners might
graft that into their constitution. Just
now the miners union should take in
and educate the unlettered thousands