The Washington times., 1906-09-18
GONPERS' STORY
OF MAINE FIGHT
Claims Victory For Labor in
Speech at Central Union
Reception.
LESSON TO THE POLITICIANS
Lawmakers HencefOrth VIII Heed Voice
Of Organized Workers Demand
ing Rights.

The labor leaders who took part in
the campaign in the Second Congress
sional district OF Maine, in their speeches
at the reception given them last night
in Typographical Temple by the Cen
trai Labor Union. were unanimous IN
claiming that organized labor had won
a big victory I'm the fight on Litueheld.
IT was labor's debut in politics, and the
speakers said that after the elections in
November the politicians would know
that labor had d voice.
Samuel Gompers. president of the
American Federation of Labor. was the
chief speaker. The campaign In the
I.ittlefeId district was conducted ON
lines mapped ont by him. and the crowd
which dIled every inch of space in the
hall was anxious 20 hear him tell OF
his work and the work of his co-lahor-
ers. President Gompers was introduced
by ]. L. Feeney, chairman OF the recep-
tion committee.
Mr.. Gompers said that they made the
showing they did because the hearts. of
the American WOrkingmen were behlnd
the movement. He referred 10 the sys-
tenn of injustice which heaped stones
upon the shoulders of labor. We asked
for relief from those I'm authority, but
our prayers were i'm vain.
Says Littlefeld Was Abusive.
Mentioning the name of Littleheld. he
said,
Can YOU imagine a Congressman who
would stand upon the public rostrum
and say that we stood for a bill that
would legaIize murder? And that was
the charge made against labor by Lit
tlefeld"
Referring to Speaker Cannon, he said:
Sweet Uncle joe in his keynote,
charged that we stood for unlawful and
criminal conduct Uncle Joe makes
you think he is jolly good fellow
Mr.. Gompers told of the struggle that
had been made before the Congress and
how year after year they were compelI-
ed to record their inability 10 move Con-
gress 10 do anything for labor s relief
and as a final effort determined atJer
presenting labOr's bill of grievances 10
those in charge OF AFFAIRS last March
TO wait until Congress adjourned and
then go before the American people. He
then added.
Acted Within Rights.
ct am not in a mood at this time to
saw anything in criticism OF the Presi-
dent. I have great admiration for the
man. his ability and his honesty. I
knew him before he was President, but
the right to take an active part I'm poll
ties cannot be taken away from us by
Congress or the President. As we said
last March to Congress and to the Pres
ident we appeal to you for relief and If
YOU do not give the relief We win ap-
peal to the conscience of our fellOw-citi-
zens. They thought we were blufing,
but they know different now
'"The fight in the Second district of
Maine was a clean fight, not word
was said by US but what could be re
peated i'm the parloT at home. ] charged
Iittledeld with hiding behind the stall
wart form of Roosevelt He answered
by saying ] was liar. a coward, a
Jesse James. etc. The fight has been
made. and he said / helped him He
can now say with Napoleon, that 'anoth-
er such victory, and am undone.'
Won Respect For Labor.
Mr.. Gompers said the fight was on
and wnile he would make no prophecy
he would say that after this campaign
more regard would be shown labor and
the request Of labor
James Duncan, of Quincy. Mass. first
vice president Of the A. F. Of l., took
occasion 10 deny the statement printed
IN some papers that there was a divi-
sion Of sentiment among the officers Of
the ?. r. Of L.. as TO the advisabuity
OF entering politics
NJ. Grant Hamilton, of Denver. Col,
said the labor men in Maine voted sol
idly together. and they took up the cry
all over the State. and voted so as to
make a showing OF strength This ex-
planned he said, the falling Oft Of the
vote i'm the other Congressional dis
tricts.
Sam DeNedry, Of Central Labor I'm
ion said: Labor has won a fight and
there will be many new faces in the
next Congress-