Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-24
LABOR TAKES POSITION
Political Campaign Declared to
Be in Full Swing.
Mr.. GOMPERS' Statement
Comments on Letters From Represen-
tatives in Congress.
RESPONSES TO INTERPRETATIONS
Criticism Of Those Who Are Classed
as Enemies Of Labor
Legislation.
Mr.. GOMPERS' STATEMENT
RESPONSES TO INTERPRETATIONS

Legislation.
"Labors campaign is now in full swing"
With this as his introduction and shibbo-
leth. Samuel Gompers, president Of the
American Federation Of Labor, in long
editorial article in the American Fedora
Zionist, the official organ of the A. F. of L.
for September, reproduces 123 letters he
has received from representatives In Con-
gress in different sections of the Union.The
members in question represent both of the
great political parties, and the letters are
in answer to the queries addressed to them
some time ago by Mr.. Gompers.
In putting these representatives on record
as to their feelings and status for or
against organized labor. President Gompers
says: ION March II labor's bill of g.iev-
ances was presented to the President of the
United States. the President pro tempore of
the Senate and to Speaker Cannon. AS
many Of the matters recited in that docu-
ment related tp legislative action, 1t was
thought best to send copy of it to every
member of Congress as a matter Of infor-
nation. This was done Immediately. April
26 another copy was mailed to each, ask
the subjects dealt with therein, so that no
injustice could be done to any representa-
tive In the forthcoming congressional cam
paign.'
Object of the Appeal.
MIR. Gompers further states that in the bill
of grievances I'VE appealed to those re-
sponsible for legislation or for the failure
to enact. and expressed the hope that the
appeal would not be in vain. and added that
II perchance Congress did not heed labor's
request the toilers would appeal to the con-
science and support Of our fellow-citizens.
Submitting to the dictation of its vested and
responsible leaders. Congress utterly failed
to accord the rights or grant any relief re-
uuested.
1.-The indignation felt among the wage
earners and the people generally of our
country at this fragrant disregard of their
liberties and their interests made itself
promptly and spontaneously manifest in all
sections Of the country, and from all quar-
tiers came inquiries from their respective
constituencies regarding the attitude of GER
tain congressman.
I'm the June issue Of the American Fed
erationist we stated that any person duly
authorized by some bona f1de organization.
upon writing to the office of the American
Federation Of Labor as to the attitude Of
any congressman upon the bill Of griev-
ances or upon labor and reform measures
CHEESEMAN'S reply and his record generally
upon the question of labor legislation.
-"Of course. If no reply had been made to
our bill of grievances that information
already largely furnished. We also stated
that we would later publish in the American
Federationist the answers from congress
men.
Replies Received.
1--WE have received a large number Of re-
plies. and. in compliance with our an
nouncement, we herewith publish many of
the answers.
ut is by no means to be inferred that the
publication OF a congressmans answer to
either an Endorsement or blacklist
Their respective constituents will settle
that from their records.
In certain respects their replies speak
for themselves.
There will be little difficulty in ranging
some OF them under the heads Of fndif-
ferent negligent. or hostile while Others
their tone. One of the most remarkable
things is the lack of knowledge and OF
sympathy demonstrated by some Of the
replies.
can will understand that he who is not
with US Is against us.
pleas Of ignorance. promises Of careful
consideration. or similar phrases. can not
entitle a candidate to the support from Or
ganlZeQ laDOr ana It's friends which should
be accorded to he who states frankly and
Enthusiastically that he indorses fundamen-
tally the bill of grievances and will vote for
the legislative measures necessary to cor
rect the evils Of which labor complains
I'm some instances congressman en-
phatically. though briefly, indorse labor's
requests. but that in no sense impairs the
value Of such replies. where the assurance
Is given so clearly that there Is no posi-
bility Of misunderstanding.
"Anothar thing WI rn,of not ho foroof-
ten Is that some of our stanchest friends
in Congress have not replied in set terms
to the bill Of grievances. and therefore can
not be quoted here. although their records
show their friendship. Correspondence in
the American Federation of Labor files at
test their efforts to secure the passage of
desired legislation at various times. Such
members felt no formal reply necessary.
but in their districts we have taken care
that their friendly attitude and record are
understood. and If necessary will be made
better known. The publication of these
replies in their entirety would involve the
issuance OF too bulky magazine.
Where He Drew the Line.
Where congressman undertook to dilate
upon either the superior merits Of their
particular party creed or their own virtues