Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-20
HEARST JOINS LABOR
Conference Between New York
Politician and Mr.. Gompers.
AN OUTLINE OF POLICY
Mr.. Hearst Invited to Give Views of
Present Conditions.
PLEDGES AID AND INFLUENCE
Support Of Movement for the Up
building Of the Labor Party
in United States
PLEDGES AID AND INFLUENCE

Marked significance was given to this
mornings meeting of the executive coun-
Gil of the American Federation of Labor
by the presence of William r. Hearst of
New York city, and also by reason of the
statement oy President Gompers that a
discussion was had upon the subject OF
labor and the next political campaign
Mr.. Gompers stated that Mr.. Hearsts
visit was informal and that no undue In
terest should attach to hts participation In
the deliberations today.
1t was learned 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 was also
stated that Mr.. Hearst has pledged his in
fiuence and the influence Of his newspapers
toward increasing the strength of the labor
party.
Silence was also maintained regarding the
proposed conference this afternoon between
several representatives In Congress and
labor leaders. In order that the conference
might be uninterrupted no afternoon ses-
sion or the council was held, and o clock
this evening was substituted as the hour for
the second session of the third day.
general discussion took place, 1t Is
declared. In which the American Fedora
tion 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 relief from alleged unjust con-
ditions for the laboring men would be
obtained.
Mr.. Hearst Gives Views
Il believe that labor can better obtain
its ends by entering into politics and max
ing any reasonable demands of the people
and OF the government as a national factor
ing strikes, ordering lockouts and the like
So spoke Representative William K.
Hearst of New York today when asked re-
garding his presence before the executive
council of the American Federation of La
Dor. now In session at headquarters.
by that l mean" continued Mr.. Hearst
that labor can gain great deal by enter
ing the political arena AS to what politics
would gain by entering into an alliance
with the labor forces of the United States
| am not prepared to say just at present.
The latter phase was not what interested
me this morning.
"Of course I must say that politics was
not the main theme Of our discussion THIS
morning"
ut Is supposed therefore. that your politi-
nothing to do with IT," Mr.. Hearst was
asked.
Has Had Experience.
NOT DIT. Naturally, L nave some e8-
perience in practical politics. and for this
reason, more than anything else. ! was
invited to give my opinion. The laboring
men, knowing my attitude on this question.
merely desired to question me to how.
when and where labor could derive the best
benefits by entering politics"
What part will you take in the move
ment?" was the question.
1.-The same part / have heretofore taken.
My ideas are the same. My newspapers
will treat this question just as they have
treated 1t In the past. Nothing has been
pledged by me in any way. and i don't be-
lieve anything will be pledged in the fu-
ture. As / said. the question as viewed by
me pertains to labor rather than politics
to the advantages to be derived by the for
mer rather than by the latter.
mo political alliances so far as I know
have been made or are contemplated. shall
not go before the executive council of the
American Federation of Labor unless l am
invited
When asked whether he knew of any pro-
posed discussions between labor leaders and
congressman. Mr.. Hearst stated he knew
nothing about them.