The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-06-21
Tells labor TO
ENTER POLITICS |: /. II !
Militant R Hearst Advises Fed
Grafton That This Would Be
More Effective Than Strikes
Special to The Times-Dispatch)..

(SpeClul 10
WASHINGTON, D. G., June 90.
Marked significance was given to this
mornings meeting OF the Executive Coun-
cIlsof the American Federation of Labor
by the presenc Of William r. Heart.
OF New York city, and also by reason Of
the statement by President Gompers
that q discussion was had upon the
subject OF labor and the next political
campaign.
Mr.. Gompers stated that Mr.. Henrst's
visit was informal and that no undue
interest should attach to{his partcpa-
ton in the deliberations to-day.
It was leaned later that Mr.. Hearst
was wanted by the members of the
Executive Council to give his views upon
the present standing Of labor in politics.
1t wa S also stated that Mr.. Hearst had
pledged his influence and the influence
of his newspapers towards increasing the
strength of !. the labor party.
Sllences2w also maintained regarding
the proposed conference. this Afternoon
between several representatives In Con
gress and labor leaders. In order that
the conference might be uninterrupted no
afternoon session Of the council was
held, and ut 8 o'clock this evening was
substituted as the hour for the second
session Of the third day. 5sE
A general discussion took place, 1T Is
declared, in which the American Fedora :
ton of Labor defined the position of the
workingmen throughout the country. and
an outline was submitted OF plans where
by the cooperation OF the people for re-
form and reiiefsfrom alleged unjust con-
ditions for the laboring men would be
obtained. i;.s FL 4 :. 4t3: Il 81 ma
Mr.. Hearst Gives Views.
II believe that labor can better obtain
Its ends by entering into politics and
making any reasonable demands of the
people and of the government as ma
tional factor than by resorting to force.
such as in calling strikes BY that. I
mean that labor can gain a great deal
by entering the political arena. - This
was the opinion expressed by Representa-
tive Hearst. OF New York. after q brief
visit to the meeting OF the executive coun-
Gil of the Federation, now in session
here.
Mr.. Hearst had been invited by Presi-
dent Gompers to give TO the council his
opinions as to the question OF labor en-
terng into politics in the effort to obtain
the ends for which 1t is working.
THE laboring men, knowing my atti-
tude on the question:" said Mr.. Hearst,
merely desired to question me as to
how when and where labor could derive
the best benefit BY entering politics.
~ told the council that. 1t was my
opinion that laDoring men should enter
politics. said Mr.. Hearst, practically
along the same lines that have express
Gu In my newspapers, and that It was
desirable that they mako showing OF
their numerical strength and OF their
power. I would not have them go Into
politics as partisans, The labor move
,nent should d!sassociate Itself from par.
t!san politics and then labor people should
regard themNelyes not so much as Dem-
| ocrats or Republicans, but rs labor men
and use their strength and their great
Influence to elect to Congress- candidates
| favorable to them.
After showing the great power the
| labor element possesses. they Will receive
respectful consideration OF their de.
| lnands.
What part will you take In the moye-
| ment,'' was asked
1 THE same part ] have heretofore
TAKEN replied Mr.. Hearst. My news
papers will treat this question Just as
they have treated It In tile past Nom
1 Ing has been pledged by me In any way,
and don't believe anything will be
pledged in the future"
r d