Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-25
ATTACK ON GoMPERs
PATRICK HENRY scULLIN ON Or
CANNED LABOR.
Alleged Union Laborer Makes Fiery
Address at Meeting of Bust
ness Men.

a union laborer in good standing, and who
came to this city several weeks ago for the
purpose of organizing industrial peace
association among the citizens of the Dis
triet of Columbia, made a forensic attack
last evening at a meeting of local business
men in the Small building, 14th and G
streets northwest, upon organized labor In
general and Samuel Gompers. president of
the American Federation of Labor, in par
ticuIar. The interesting part of the affair
was that Mr. Gompers and several other
prominent labor men, including Terence V.
Powderly. former head of the Knights or
Labor, and H. w. Sherman international
secretary of the electrical workers, were
present at the meeting by special invita-
| ton. and took the opportunity to answer
Mr.. Scuilin's charges. Personalities were
INDUCED in, and MIR. Scullin denounced as a
lie letter which Mr.. Gompers wished to
read Nothing farther from the idea of
peace could be imagined than this meet
ing. When it adjourned no action had been
taken by those present with view to
forming an association.
John r. Galloway was the chairman, and
Mr.. Scull;n occupied seat close beside
him. The chairman stated In general
way that the object of the gathering was
to discuss the question of bringing about
industrial peace, or peace between labor
and capital.
When MT SculIin had explained what the
Industrial Peace Association is-that 1t was
organized and chartered under the laws OF
California-and had read its constitution
and bylaws. he launched into attack
on organized laber. saying, among other
things. that it is allied with the extreme
socialistic, element of the country.
A the close of this fiery speech Mr.. Com
pers said that S. nee Mr.. Scullin had read
letter of Endorsement from Frank Duffy
of the Central Labor Union of Chicago. he
would like to know whether he would read
O nd LOT hiph hn q
the same source. Mr.. Scullin replied that
he did not have 1t with him.
Gompers Called On.
After brief speeches had been made by
several others present. including Conrad
Syme. Thomas w. Smith. James F. Oyster
and J. L. Parsons. Mr.. Gompers was called
On to address the assembly.
He said that man who would not stand
squarely in favor of Industrial peace in
these times must have bid goodbye to his
reason, but he thought Mr.. Sculin's meth
DDS were wrong. Industrial peace is COM
ing of itself, he thought, and the labor
unions are trying to bring about that con-
dftion The government has no right to
interfere. he believed, as it would be cur
failing the freedom of the individual.
He concluded his speech by saying that
Mr.. Duffy of Chicago had sent him copy
of the letter which he wished Mr. Scullin
to read and he intimated that it cast
some renectlOnS On the latter s reputation
in a city where he had formerly been en-
gagged in organizing work.
Mr.. Scullin jumped to his feet and became
very much excited. saying that the letter
lied and that he would meet Mr.. Gompers
on any public platform and prove 1t to the
satisfaction of the public. He had word
from Mr.. Duffy, he declared, that Mr.. Duffy
had written no such letter Mr.. GomperS
claimed to have Mr.. Scullin's voice rose
to a high pitch as he proceeded, and as it
was growing louder he was Interrupted by
Secretary Sherman of the electrical work.
ers, who said that he believed it would be
best to arbitrate the matter.
Lost His Temper
Before the meeting came to an end 1T be-
came apparent that the representatives of
labor were getting the best of Mr.. Scullin
in the debate. The latter was unable to
keep his temper. and INDUCED in TRADE
against labor organizations and Mr. Com
loss to answer because of its breadth
"A man who is accused of every sin on
the calendar" said Mr.. Gompers, might
as we'll not attempt defense. Neverthe
less, he continued. Il think I will enter a
general plea of not guilty"
There was much laughter at this sally
and in a short time the meeting adjourned
without taking any action on the question
of forming an organization for Industrial
peace. Mr.. Scullin announced that he al
ready had number of names promised for
the new association, and that it would not
fail in this city on account of the attitude
of the labor element.