The Washington herald., 1906-12-04
LABOR FOR SUBSIDY
Many Unions Adopt ResOlu-
tiOnS FayOring Measure.
GoMPERs OPPOSES IT, HOWEVER
Federation OF Labor, at
Annual Meeting, Approved His At
titude, SO situation Is Mixed-Two
or Three Thousands Resolutions
IndOrsing Shipping Bill Filed.

While Samuel Gompers, president Of
the American Federation Of Labor, was
out trying to beat Uncle Joe Cannon,
Sherman of New York. Dalzell of Penn
sylvania, Mudd Of Maryland, Longworth
of Ohio. and others for reelection, be
cause OF their attitude toward labor legis-
lation, somebody sneaked into his politi-
cal back yard and poured kerosene in his
milk can.
Mr.. Gompers. in addition 10 fighting
those members Of Congress whom he be-
lieyes to be inimical to organized labor,
has been trying for some time to arouse
sentiment IN opposition TO the ship sub
sidy bill The Federation Of Labor, at its
annual meeting In Minneapolis. not long
ago, fully indorsed the opposition Of its
president to the shipping measure. and
the understanding has been that union
laborites were practically unanimous in
desiring the defeat of that interesting
piece of legislation, which Is now nearer
the final passage than it has been at any
time in the many years it has been be-
fore Congress.
Would Increase Demand for Labor.
But developments yesterday show that
to very large extent MI Gompers is a
leader without a following in his atti-
tud- toward the bill. For some time
Speaker CannOn's Office has been in re-
ceipt OF numerous resolutions adopted by
labor organizations all over the country,
which strongly favor the passage OF the
shipping bill, on the ground that such
action will have the effect Of increasing
the demand for labor in many different
ways, and VIII, in short. be advantageous
to workmen I'm every direction.
Yesterday Secretary Busby formally
fled the store Of documents Of this
character. which have accumulated in the
last few days. There were between 2O90
and 1900 Of them altogether, and as they
are still coming in at the average rate
Of about fifty a day, Il is safe TO assume
that the total number will be materially
increased.
Many OF the resolutions are accom-
panied by notes from the secretaries OF
the organizations which have adopted
them. In which the statement is made
that these organizations are affiliated
with the American Federation Of Labor.
The resolutions are all printed, and
there are four different form Of them.
One Of them merely afTirms that the
shipping bill should be passed. while
others go into details rs 10 why 1t should
be passed IaboHng men. from timber
cutter 10 expert S1i. !dars. would be
benefited. IL is asscr e. The documents
do not come from any particular class
Of labor organization. but cover a wide
range. Unions of bakers, tailors, &c.
are represented, as well as those trades
which are more intimately connected
with the shipping industry
Originator of Movement Unknown.
Nobody seems 10 know just who it was
that started the movement. All the print
ed forms bear the union label. and all
appear TO have been printed in New York
City. Practically. without exception they
bear the official seal of the organization
by which they we're adopted and for
warded TO Speaker Cannon
The Speaker did no care 10 comment on
the matter yesterday Friends Of the
subsidy bin think that their cause will be
promoted by the food of resolutions.
In view Of the ACTON Of the Minneapolis
meeting in approving President GOmpers'
opposition TO the legislation, cOnseTva-
tive members Of Congress express the
opinion that it would require the serv-
ices Of a very astute Philadelphia lawyer
to determine just where union labor
stands IN the premises.
A Herald representative found Mr..
Gompers confined to his bed last night
by a severe attack Of neuralgia. He was
unable 10 discuss the situation.