Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-19

of child labor" will make an attack on
Washington during the approaching session
of the United States Congress, If the plans
which Mother" Jones. 1.-The enemy of mas
tiers of industry and opposer of trusts and
monopolies,' carried out Mother
Jones is an organizer of the United Mine
Workers, and figured conspicuously before
the American people recently by Leading
a small army of the child employees of the
textile mills in and about Philadelphia, Pa.
to Sycamore Hill, the summer abode of
President Roosevelt.
Although claiming to be partial to no po-
litical party, Mother Jones is much more
bitter than ever against President Roose-
welt. This feeling she frankly admits Is
due to the cool reception she and her army
of little ones We're rendered when they ar
rived in the vicinity of Sycamore HILL She
was exceedingly disappointed at the treat
ment she received in that instance, and
says it will not be forgotten in many years
to come.
Her plans were made known to reporter
of The Star by Mother Jones while in
the city for few hours Monday evening.
She was on her way to Richmond, Va,
where she Is now working among the
striking street railway employees of the
city. She arrived in Washington, visited
several labor officials, made several per-
sonal calls and boarded a train for the
south without attracting general notice
From Richmond she will go to Montgom-
cry, Va. and thence to Wheeling, w. Va,
where, during the crisis of the recent strike
in the bituminouS coal regions, she was
the object of several restraining orders and
injunctions. She has anything but pleas
ant remembrances of that section, and re-
ferred to certain of the judges of that
region in no Uncertain terms of reproof.
Referring to her march on the Presi-
dents summer home, Mother" Jones said:
'All we American people have heard for
some time is prosperity, prosperity, pros
perity.' Having this drummed into our ears
morn, noon and night, and being unable
to find any place where it was being
handed out to the slaves of the mills of
Philadelphia. we decided to go to the home
of the President that he might direct us
where to find this precious gift-'prosper-
ity.' Instead of attempting to inform us
as to where to find it, he sent out word to
our committee. consisting Of three of the
little boys and myself that he could not
see l think that was rather a mean
way to treat the children.
''All was confusion when it was known
that my army was near at hand. The secret
service detectives, who every one
knows, are noted for their vigilance, were
completely worsted and they knew not
what to do. l don't suppose We would
have been lucky enough to get on the
grounds surrounding the Presidents home
had 1t not been for demonstration which
was engaging the attention of everybody
on another side of the house
I'VE did not get to see President Roose-
welt then. That did not discourage me in
the least, however, and l have decided to
adopt another course of bringing the evil
of child labor to the attention of not only
the legislators of the United States, but
to the entire people of this and all other
countries During the coming session of
Congress the people of Washington will
have an opportunity to look upon the faces
of at least one thousand of the little
slaves. My army will be recruited from
every part of the United States where the
state legislatures have neglected to pro-
hibit child labor.
My proposed march on Washington will,
like all past demonstrations led by me, be
exceedingly orderly, and every detail con-
nected with it shall be carried out in a
quiet manner. AS American citizens, it is
our inalienable right to petition Congress to
better the conditions of the people of this
land-'the land of the free and the home
of the brave My expedition will be merely
for the purpose of giving the entire uni
verse a grand expose of American civiliza-
ton under the present regime, to demon
strate to the world how make million
aires on the Quivering hearts of children,
and to elucidate the present system of COM
mercial cannibalism. The children form
ing the army will range from seven years
to about twelve years of age. In my opin-
ion. this is the proper method to pursue to
accomplish the desired result"
In response to an inquiry as to whether
she would take the stump against the re-
publican party in the next presidential cam
pafgn, Mother Jones replied:
why. of course not. Neither the demo-
cratic nor the republican party care any
thing for the working people"
Unless President David NJ. Parry of the
National Association of Manufacturers de-
clines to do So he will have an opportunity
to cross swords with President Samuel
Gompers of the American Federation of
I q In hat in Tndi
Ind. Labor day. Are labor unions detri-
mental to the best interests of the Ameri-
can people and industrial progress?" is the
suggested topic of debate.
To a reporter of The Star today Presi-
dent Gompers said he had heard there is
rumor to the effect that an attempt is be-
ing made to have the avowed enemy of Or
ganiZed labor and himself meet in debat-
ing contest. In reply to a question as to
whether he would consent to meet Presi-
dent Parry on the stump. President Com
pers replied:
1T would give me great pleasure to meet
and debate organized labor with Mr.. Par
ry."
If Mr.. Parry will become a party to the
agreement. it is suggested that there is but
little doubt that Indianapolis will be made
famous in an exceedingly novel fashion and
that the contest will be attended by the
majority of labor leaders and employers of
the country. The local labor leaders who
are acquainted with President Gompers ex-
against all Corners in debate wherein
the labor question is involved. 1t is also
suggested that such debate would have a
great influence on the people of the coun-
try, and that Mr.. Gompers would offer an
argument that would not only solidify or
ganiZed labor. but would Immediately in
crease the membership in the unions of
the country an hundred fold. Mr.. Gompers'
reply to the question of the reporter of The
Star is regarded by the labor leaders as a
direct challenge to the president of the Ma
tional Association OF Manufacturers and
notice of the latter's refusal or acceptance
to meet Mr. Gompers is awaited with an
unusual degree of interest.
At a late hour this afternoon the lock-
out of the wholesale meat dealers against
the members of the local branch Of the
Amalgamated Society of Meat Cutter and
Butcher WOrkmen had undergone no per-
ceptible change since yesterday. AS stated
in The Star of yesterday, the question as to
pay for overtime work is the only apparent
barrier to adjustment
1t is said that the firm supplying the local
dealers involved In the controversy employ
union butchers who allied with the
local workmen in national organization
and that this firm. If appealed to by the
local union, would refuse to prepare meat
for the supply of those dealers who are
members of the local employers associa-
ton. This course, 1t is pointed out, will
probably be pursued by the locked-out
workmen If the existing differences are not
settled within the coming week