The Washington times., 1906-03-24
CAN GOMPERS MAKE
GOOD HIS THREAT?
Labor Vote Heretofore Sell
dom Consolidated.
POWERFUL IN SOME STATES
Promises of Democracy May Swing
Onion Influence to Min
ority Party
POWERFUL IN SOME STATES

The possibility. suggested in a most
direct and pointed fashion by President
Gompers Of the American Federation
Of Labor, that the leaders Of organized
labor may undertake 70 direct their
followers course at the polls in COM
ing elections, has caused endless con-
cern and speculation in political circles
Efforts TO WELD the labor vote as an
effective weapon in politics have had
Indifferent results in most cases in this
country. though in others they have 3;
times led 10 notable political revolts.
But there is feeling that this newest
proposal in this direction may prove
more serious than those that have gone
before
Powerful in Certain States.
IL is in the great Industrial States.
and in those which are more nearly
doubtful than any others in tie coun-
try. that the labor organizatiCa vote is
most powerful. Indiana. FOR instance
is probably the best organized State in
the Union. and is always /. doubtful
State. Illinois, with a great number OF
close districts and the great city of
Chicago. is almost similarly organized.
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachu-
setts, Ohio, Connecticut, Colorado. Cali
fOrnia, Missouri. are powerfully organ
lied while in the large industrial cities
OF Nebraska. Minnesota. Kansas. Louis
lana, oregon, Wisconsin. Texas. Vir-
ginia, Maryland, and some other States
the Federation represents a powerful
voting force.
There was something impressive IN
the spectacular setting which the labor
leaders secured for the projection Of
their political threat. A great body Of
them, by appointment, called on the
same day ON the President OF the
United States, the Speaker of the
House. and the President pro tempore
of the Senate, to present an identical
statement of their grievances. They
made it very plain that they felt ag-
grieved, and they were specific in the
statement Of protest. The committees.
dominated by the party in power, navs,
been Indifferent they insist, to tie
just and reasonable demands of labor.
Legislation, such as the anti-injunction
bill and the employers liability bill,
against which few men would have ths
temerity 10 vote in open session, has
been hung up in committees year after
year The eight-hour law. it is insisted.
has been constantly violated
Backed by 100000 Voters.
These leaders, who assured the politi-
cal heads OF the dominant party that
they represent organizations with a total
of 100000 voters, were courteously re-
ceived. The President and the Speaker
argued with them and assured them of
the good intentions of the Government.
President pro tempore Frye merely re-
ceived their petition. But as a whole.
while courteous in form. the reception
granted TO the set OF grievances which
the organizations presented was not
very satisfactory TO them II was re-
garded by some as distinctly in the ma
ture of a rebuff. and there was scant
effort to conceal feelings of resentment
The political significance of the whole
afai1- was not fully appreciated until,
f:,lowing this presentation of griev-
ances. President Gompers issued an in
terview. In which he declared that Con-
gress had been deaf to the appeals Of
labor and that there was nothing left
but appeal by the way of the ballot
box He was not ready to indicate any
particular plans; but he emphasized the
rather remarkable language that had
CONTINUED on Second Pagel