The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-04-07
NEW FORCE IN FIELD
WORK OF THE ANTI-BoYCoTT
 ASSOCIATION.
Hes Adopted the Methods of the Labor Unions and lights Every Inch in National Leg
 islation.
Advertiser Bureau, Colorado Building,

NOAOl ouO oullNiiSJ
 Washington April 6
 A new force has appeared before Con- gress at this session. opposing the eight hour labor bill, the anti-injunction bill, the national arbitration bill. and, in brief, all measures looking forward to any interference on the part of the na- tional government in the relations of employers and employees. It is not too much to say that the operation of this new force has caused the leaders of or ganized labor who have been pressing the anti-injunction and eight hour bills for several Congresses more concern than any form of opposition which they have hitherto encountered.
 This is undoubtedly due to the secret character of the organization referred to the American Anti-Boycott Association which has been here and there and everywhere, active in opposing the de- mands of organized labor as represented by the Legislative Committees of the Knights of Labor.
 Heretofore the contest over the eight hour bill has been of a stand-up and knock-down fight between the represent atives of those great industries princi- pally affected by the bill. namely, the shipbuilding and armor and steel mak- ing industries, and Samuel Gompers. fuTuSetns ana OIneT IdDOT ledueTS, Wltn a scattering of members of the Nation al Manufacturers Association who have opposed the eight hour bill on the gem eral principle that it's operation would tend to unsettle business conditions.
 But this session there has appeared on the scene a secret organization, the ram ification of its membership extending into all parts of the country, with abundance of means to employ the best of talent and guided and directed by men of en- ergy purpose and force-moving in a secret manner to defeat the ends for which the labor leaders have so long striven. Themselves accustomed to em- ploying secret agencies the labor leaders recognize that when this great weapon is turned against them they have on hand fight the like of which they have never known before. It is possible that this feeling has given them an exag- gerated idea of the influence possessed by the Anti Boycott Association, but, nevertheless they have seen and heard sufficient of it to know that a powerful and vigorous opponent is closely watch ing every step they take toward secur- ing national legislation with the avowed determination of employing every means to defeat them.
 Daniel Davenport. executive agent for the association, is the only representative of an organization opposing the labor bills who has ever been constant in his attendance on the hearings on these measures and vigilant in his opposition. From the date of the first hearing on the eight hour bill before the House Com mittee, MT. Davenport has attended every hearing on this measure or the anti-in- junction bill and has always been in evil dence with testimony, arguments and counsel for the committee and for the witnesses against the bill. This is a new experience for the labor leaders who have been accustomed to see opposing delegations come to Washington, make their arguments, and return home. while they stood by their guns meeting after meeting of the committees and session after session of Congress. Consequently, the tactics of the Anti Boycott Associa- ton and of MT. Davenport has been highly disconcerting to the labor lead CTS.
 Little is known of the Anti Boycott As sociation. as It's personnel is secret, and, to a large extent, its membership is nec- essarily shrouded in more or less mys- tery It was organized several years ago as the outcome of a boycott on a Dan- bury natter. In discussing this matter with Mir. Davenport. the latter said that as the result of the persecution of this natter certain gentlemen lad approached him and said: 'Is it not possible to or ganize the great interests of society, the great manufacturing transportation mining and mercantile interests of this