The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-04-17
FIGHTING TOGETHER
LABOR AND CAPITAL ON THE z SAME SIDE.
Urite in Opposing the Foster-Foss National Arbitration Bill Which is Now Pending Before
 Congress.
Advertiser Bureau, Colorado Building.

Advertiser Bureau,
 Colorado Building.
 Washington, April 16.
 Samuel Gompers. president of the American Federation of Labor. A. Flu ruseth. of the same organization. and E. F. DeBruhl. of Cincinnati. repre- senting the Metal Trades Association. the latter an organization of employ CTS. united wednesday in opposing the Foster-Foss National Arbitration bill and all other bills providing for voi- untary or compulsory arbitration by the exercise of the powers of Con gress before a subcommittee of the House Committee on Labor.
 The hearing was very animated, ow- ing to the fact that notwithstanding this is the first matter on which the representatives of the associations of employers and those of organised la- bor have agreed at this session of Con- gress. there were occasions where Messrs Furuseth and DeBruhl differ ed widely as to the proper conduct of striking employees.
 Although uniting with them in con- demning the bill under consideration, Mir. DeBruhl took occasion to condemn the policies of labor unions in general while MT. Furuseth and, later Mir. Gompers. vigorously defended them. Mir. Furuseth took the ground that no matter how high-mipded the members of a national arbitration tribunal might be. they would eventually suc- cumb to the influence of wealth, and | such a tribunal would be powerful | organ through which the employers could attain their ends
 | You purpose to develop here pow er," he said, responsible to no one ] and with rules of it's own. It would be l impossible for the members to apply | spiritual methods in dealing with mum dame affairs. Why they would have to be gods. MT. Foster,a he said, turn ing to the author of the bill; they could not be men. They would grad ually do for industry what the Pontiff does for Christianity in its Catholic as- pect." He thought that in the place | of a feudalism of land-wealth of the middle ages there was now developing a feudalism of industrial wealth. MT. DeBruhl said there was great deal in the forcefui argument of Mr. I Furuseth's, although he speaks from the other side of the question" and Mir. Furuseth caused a laugh by inter- jecting since you agree with me | doubt my own reasoning" Mir. DeBruhl declared that he did not believe in ready made public opinion and that | leiLuCH tHAS any OtAcE AiAC " would result in men giving up their inherent right to strike or to lockout. The proper method of dealing with strikes was to enforce the law.
 May I inquire what official position you have?" asked Daniel Davenport, the executive agent of the American Anti Boycott Association.
 | "Yes, sir, am the commissioner for the Metal Trades Association" was the reply.
 "A sort of a walking delegate" sug- gested Furuseth.
 "Yes. sir; a walking delegate for an employers association"
 Mir. DeBruhl concluded by briefly re- l ferring to the growth of citizens al- dances. organized in various parts oi the country. which Mir. Furuseth said should be called "vigilance commit, tees"
 Mir. Gompers, in opening, called MT Fosters attention to the fact that il was a very peculiar situation to find MT. DeBruhl and Mir. Davenport and the representatives of organized labor l from widely divergent standpoints uniting in opposition to the bill" As Mir. GompeFs warmed to his subject he strongly denounced the idea that Mir. DeBruhl should have dragged into