The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-03-21
1t Is Heard in the Lobby of the
National House.
Stirring Appeal for Redress Of
Grievances Is Made.
ROOSEVELT AND FRYE
Each Is Served With Copy of
a Document
Signed by GOmpers and other
Labor Leaders.
ROOSEVELT AND FRYE

Washington, March 21.-President
Gompers OF the American Federation
Of Labor and the executive council Of
that organization with about 100 presi-
dents and representatives of trades
unions were received by Speaker Can
non IN the house lobby today. They
presented a document concerning pend
ing labor legislation which later was
presented, to Senator Frye and Presi-
dent Roosevelt The document ex-
presses the opinion that the eight hour
law is ineffective and inefficient and
deplores the government attitude to-
ward the law as affecting work on the
Panama canal It complains that the
working man has not been protected
against convict labor. and that appeals
for relief from undesirable immigration
have been without result.
Recognizing the danger Of Chinese
immigration says the letter, land re-
sponsive to the demands of the people,
congress years ago enacted an eTIec-
tive Chinese exclusion law; yet, despite
the experience Of the people of our own
country as well as those of other coun-
tries, the present law is dagrantly vio-
lated, and now, by act Of congress, it
is seriously proposed to inyalidate that
law and reverse the policy"
The letter then goes on to state that
/ laws for the protection Of seamen are
inadequate.
such disasters as the burning Of the
Slocum and the wreck OF the Rio de
Janeiro are charged to the under
manning and the unskiIled manning Of
vessels. I'VE presented to congress, -
says the letter, measures that would,
If enacted, so far as human law could
do, make impossible the awful loss of
life We have sought this remedy
more in the interest of the travelling
public than in that Of the seamen, but
( in vain"
The document concludes:
The beneficial writ of Injunction
I intended to protect property rights has,
as used in labor disputes. been per-
/ verted so as to attack and destroy per-
sonaI freedom and in manner to hold
/ that the employer has some property
rights in the labor of the worl1ingmen.
( Instead of obtaining the relief which
/ labor has sought it is seriously threat
ened with statutory authority for ex-
4 listing judicial usurpation.
/ 1.-THE committee on labor Of the
I house of representatives was instituted
4 at the demand Of labor to voice its
/ sentiments, to advocate its rights and
Ito protect its interests. In the past
/ two congresses this committee has
been so organized as to make inenec-
tual any attempt labor has made for
redress. This being the fact in the
4 last congress, labor requested the
4 speaker to appoint on the committee OF
labor members whose experience
knowledge and sympathy would rem
der in this congress such service as
the committee was originally designed
! to perform. Not only was laobr's re-
quest ignored, but the hostile make
up Of the committee was accentuated
Recently the president issued an
order forbidding any and all govern
ment employees, upon the pain of in
slant dismissal from the government
service, to petition congress for any
redress of grievances or for any i'm
provement in their condition. Thus
the constitutional right of citizens must
/ be surrendered by the government
| employe in order that he may obtain
OF retain his employment.
I'VE present these grievances tt
your attention because we have long
patiently. and in vain waited for re
dress, There is not any matter OF
which we have complained, but fol
which we have in. an honorable and
/ lawful manner submitted remedies
posed by labor are in line with funda-
mental law and with the progress and
1 development made necessary By
( changed Industrial conditions. Labor
I brings these, its grievances, to your at
tention because you are the representa-
/ tives responsible for legislation and fol
4 failure of legislation. The tOiIers come
to you as your fellow citizens who by
reason OF their position IN life have
not only with all other citizens ar
equal interest in our country, but the
futher interest OF being the burder
bearers the wage earners Of America
AS labor representatives we ask you
to redress these grievances for it is il
your power so to do.
Labor now applies to you and we trus
that it may not be in vain. But if
perehance you may not heed u.s. we shall
appeal to the conscience and support o.
our fellow citizens. (Signed): Very re
spectfully: Samuel Gompers, James Dun
can. James O'Connell Max Morris, Den.
mis- A Hayes, Daniel ]. Keefe. William
D. Huber, Joseph F. Valentine John B
| Lennon Frank Morrison, executive Coun
ell American Federation of Labor"
HIS GLOVES CAUGHT FIRE.