The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-08-23
But Two Men Are Praised for
Attitude Toward Labor
MOST ANSWERS EvASIVE
Says Lack of Knowledge and Lack of
Sympathy Are Shown In Many
of the Replies Re-
celved.

Washington, August 2.-(Special.)-In
the forthcoming number of the American
Federationist President Samuel Gompers
of the American Federation of Labor will
publish with editorial comment the re-
plies of a large number of congressman
to the circular letter of the American
Federation of Labor inquiring as to their
attitude on the questions discussed in
labor's bill of grievances which was pre-
sented to President Roosevelt. the presi-
dent protein of the Senate and the speak
er of the House in the last session OF
Congress. Among other things President
Gompers says:
I'm the bill of grievances we appealed
to those responsible for legislation or for
the failure to enact and expressed the
hope that the appeal would not be in vain
and added that If perchance Congress did
not heed labor's request the toilers would
appeal to the conscience and support of
our fellow citizens. Submitting to the
dictation of it's vested and responsible
leaders Congress utterly failed to accord
the rights or grant any relief requested
Calls 1t Flaerant Disregard.
1.-The indignation felt among the wage
earners and the people generally Of our
country at this fiagrant disregard of their
liberties and their interests made itself
promptly and spontaneously manifest in
all sections of the country and from all
quarters came inquiries from their re-
spective constituencies regarding the atti-
tIde of certain congressnen.
1--WE have received a large number of
replies and in compliance with announce
ment we publish many of them.
In certain respects their replies speak
for themselves.
There will be little difficulty in arrang-
ing some of them under the heads of Tn
different, Negligent, or hostile while 9th
ers are clearly non-commital and evasive
in their tone. One of the most remark
able things is the lack of knowledge and
the lack of sympathy demonstrated by
some of the replies.
"All will understand that he who rs
not with us is against us.
'Pleas of ignorance, promises of care
full consideration or similar phrases can
not entitle candidate to the support
from ORGANIZED labor and its friends which
should be accorded him who states frank
ly and Enthusiastically that he indorses
fundamentally the bill of grievances and
will vote for the legislative measures nee
essary to correct the evils of which labor
complains"
First Letter Is From Grggs.
The first letter In the list to be nublished
is that from Representative ]. M. Griggs,
chairman of the democratic national con-
gressional committee. 1t says:
.'I have carefully read the list of labor J
grievances and think understand same.
I agree fully with you in every demand
therein made"
On the above letter Mr. Gompers makes
the following editorial statement:
.sMr. Griggs' answer is brief but un-
quallfedly in approval Of the bill of labor
grievances"
Mr. Gompers has few good words to say
of any of the republican members of Con-
gress OF Senator Dick of Ohio he says:
Senator Dicks letter is general in
character and discloses that he believes
he knows better than the working people
what is for their best interests. He
evades any speci1s statement as to his
position regarding the bill of grievances"
| other republicans who write evasive let
ters TO the labor leader come in for a
severe lambasting. Griggs of Georgia anSl
, Champ Clark of Missouri both democrats,
| are about the only members receiving
praise from Mr.. Gompers.