New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-12-13
LABOR LEADERS angry.
Charge of Ian.pering nth Var
ships Resented.
LIVELY HEARING ON EIGHT HOUR BILL.

Washington, Dec. 12.-The Senate Committee on
Education and Labor to-day listened to arguments
for and against the Eight Hour bill. James 2 Con
nell president Of the International Association OF
bachnsts referred to a statement made pefere
the committee yesterday by ]. H Null, assistant
manager at the CramR shpyard, Philadelphia. to
the effect that members of the international AS
ISOLATION of Machinists had tried TO destroy the
machinery of the battleship Alabama ana the
transport Thomas while they were undergoing re-
pairs in the yard. Mr.. OCennel said that nothing
of the kind had ever been brought TO his atten-
ton. and he did not believe 1t ever occurred
Frank Morrison, secretary of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor made argument for the bill
Hilary A. Herbert, ex-Secretary of the Navy, in
argument In opposition the bill declared that
there were few in the House of Representa-
tyes willing to take the responsibility Of opposing
any labor measure, matter whether they ap-
proved it or not lest they be set down enemies
of the labering class. That explains, ne said.
why this bill and preceding bills like it, even worse
than it is. passed the House by large najorites'
L. E. Payson, for the Newport News Shipbuding
Company, referred the strike at Newport News
in 1901 and said that when the battleship Illinois
was about to sail her trial trip word had gone
forth from the labor union that she should not
leave the yard until the unions terms
cepted. He vehemently exclaimed that it was an
act which, if the United States had been at war,
would have been misprision of treason. Men have
suffered the loss of their lives for less acts Of
cuIpabhty, said he. than committed against
our people in June year ago."
James Duncan. national secretary of the Granite
cutters Association. denied ex-Secretary Herbert's
assertion that members of the House would not
oppose legislation in order not to appear as enemies
TO labor He also denied the truth of Mr.. Payson's
statement regarding the battieship Illinois.
Samuel Gempers, president of the Federation OF
Labor, SAID he had been classed as an agitator by
the ''cyconie and vehement Judge Payson." but 1t
was the agitator who made this country republic,
abolished slavery and saved the children employed
IN the cotton mills in the Southern States.
Mr.. Gompers seid he wanted to take ccgnizance
OF a statement made by Mr.. Null yesterday and
by Judge Payson to-day alleging that the Interna-
honal Association of Machnists had attempted to
precipitate strike in the Cramp shipyards in the
fitted out. and that some of the labor had
attempted to tamper with the machinery of
transport, He vehemently denounced the charge
and said that Major Carson. of the Thomas, had
said that had such attempt been made to
have known II.
ut is true" said MIR. Gompers that the strike
in the Cramp shipyard delayed the departure of
the Thomas for week ten days, but as a mat
ter Of fact il was not during the Spanish American
there was scintilla of truth In the statement
Continuing and speaking with much fervor.
Mr. Gompers said: If any man guilty of
the act charged here yesterday it the duty of
a criminal charge against him and to expose to
the world what 1t implied The charge has not
been outlawed by the statute Of limitations, and
If the charge has foundation in fact II simply
reacts upon the heads OF those who have made the
accusation
He declared that IL the bill should fail TO pass
There is no ending in this demand he said,
until II IS accomplished