Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-07
PLEDGED BY GOMPERS
Tells Printers Federation Will
Aid Them.
IN FIGHT FOR SHORT DAY
At the Local Union Committees
Headquarters.
STRIKERS DRAW TWO DAYS PAY
Situation Remains Unchanged--Labo
Leader Declares Typos Are Fight
ing Good Fight and Will Win.


President Samuel Gompers of the Fedora
ton of Labor promised the moral support
of the federation in the fight for an eight
hour day that is being made throughout the
country by the members of the 1nterna-
tional Typographical Union in a speech be-
fore the striking members of Columbia Ty-
biographical Union, No. 101 in this city yes
terday afternoon. This is the most important
event of the strike thus far, not only here,
but throughout the country. The fact that
the American Federation of Labor would
throw its forces to the support Of the print
ers was made known some time ago. when
the matter of preparing for the strike was
first taken up. Mr.. Gompers made state
ment at that time that the Typographica!
Union had the full support of the labor
leaders, but this is the first time since the
strike actually began that, as president OF
the federation he has appeared before a
company of laboring men and assured them
personally sympathy and aid of the power
full organization behind him.
There were two meetings of the printers
yesterday at the local strike headquarters,
902 d street northwest. The first meeting
w1s held at 10 o'clock and the second at )
o'clock. 1T was at the ) o'clock meeting
that Mr.. Gompers made an address.
Mr T c. Parsons, chairman of the eight
hour committee OF the Columbia Typo
graphical Union.- made a brief speech IN
Producing Mr. Gompers and cnaracterlzing
him the good, true and honest labor leader
Greeted With Cheers.
Mr.. Gompers arose to speak before the
crowd. which taxed the capacity of the
hall, and was applauded most heartily for
several minutes. He was greeted with
cheers, and 1t was some time before quiet
could be restored SO enthusiastic Were the
labor men over the appearance of their
leader. President Gompers made no set
speech. but spoke extemporaneously, telling
the printers briefly that they were in the
fight to win and were backed in it by the
Federation of Labor. He offered every en-
couragement, and said the printers. though
never before embroiled in such a struggle,
took the-right action and would eventually
come out of the fight triumphant.
This eight-hour law he said s'is an
economical, moral and physical necessity
for you men, and you must feel encouraged
over the progress Of this laudable move
ment- President Gompers cited the case OF
his own craft. the cigarmakers. and told as
statistical fact that the life of the cigar
maker had been increased many years be-
cause the hours Of his labor had been
shortened. This reduction in the hours of
daily labor came as blessing to the cigar
maker, he said. and it would surely prove
the same thing to the printer whose con-
f1nement and the nature of whose work was
much the same as with cigarmakers. If not
more strenuous in some of its phases.
Mr Gompers in passing made an amusing.
reference to the Sam Parks case in New
nprk' ieadlng up to the statement that the
lapor leaders and men who are working
most faithfully and zealously in its cause
are men who have and can be trusted for
duty. ~
The Typographical Union In particular
mad been patient and long suffering ba
said. Having for several years been denied
what they regarded as right and lust the
printers had now come to the forefront to
demand their rights and are engaged in
desperate struggle. He spoke OF the far
reaching results and Importance of the
present fight. He brought out the thought
that all strikes do not come from organized
lapor. alone; but from many other sources
where people are being placed In Jeopardy
through the selfishness and greed of the
money powers. This constan antly growing
sentiment. the insatiate desire among men
to double their wealth even IL Others suf
fer, has forced the laboring man to defend
himself, his family and home
First Strike Payment.
nent in the present fight spoke most hope
fully of the prospect OF winning. They
will hold on with bulldog" tenacity.
as one official expressed the situation, until
the eight-hour law is adopted.
Everything is serene and the printers will
try to win out on principle and not by nm
fair methods. Yesterday was the first day
for the distribution Of benefits among the
printers, and the money was given out at
headquarters, 9th and D streets northwest
Each printer who enlisted In the labor
strike marched up to headquarters at the
proper time and received his envelope and
walked away with smile of contentment
on his face. Every printer who has been
laid off as result of the strike Is said
to be perfectly satisfied with the progress
of the fight. and many said yesterday when
they were handed their two days payment
OF the benefit that they should be willing
to return to the union every cent of the
money thus received If same was needed
to prolong the fight and to win reduction
in the hours of labor.
Typothetae Satisfied
The officers Of the Typothetae of Wash
ington made nc statements last night in
reference to the strike situation, other than
to say that they are perfectly satisfied with
present conditions.
Some of the employing printers, when
seen by a reporter for The Star last night.
stated that all information in reference to
the strike would have to be obtained from
the headquarters of the Typothetae. One
of the largest employing printers stated to
the reporter however, that since the union
printers were called out from his shop and
printers placed In their stead he
has been turning out as much work as be-
fore the strike order took effect, IL not
more. The information obtained at the Diff
ferent printing houses affected by the
strike was that almost every place vacated
by the strikers has been filed by experI-
enced men. capable of turning out a high
class of work.
On the whole. the Typothetae regarded
the situation last night as encouraging.