New-York tribune., 1906-07-23
GOMPERS TALKS TO C.. F.U.
Has Tilt scith Delegate, H1hOm He
Floors 5cith Reference to DiOgenes.

The question of taking independent political
action was again discussed az yesterdays meeting
Of the Central Federated Union. with President
Gompers OF the American Federation OF Labor as
the chief speaker The question before the meet
ing was the adoption Of the recommendation Of the
executive committee TO go into independent politics
and 70 adopt platform. the substance Of which
has already appeared in the papers
Mr.. Gompers was received with applause when he
began TO speak. He said that he belonged 90 no
political party; had no axe to grind and had no
case OF his TO submit He did not consider Il
essential that there should be absolute unity upon
the local demands in political campaign
II consider that IL would be unwise to insist upon
such absolute unity he continued. because IL
would be an impossibilty. There can be the widest
divergence OF opinion consistent with the unity OF
opinion as to the trade union movement You will
accomplish more by following the general trend OF
thought than by trying to have every one adopt
the same opinion. While glad that your pro-
posed platform follows the lines have laid out
do not agree exactly with the way some Of the
planks put. II law were enacted by the
Legislature. as proposed In platform prohibit
ing the introduction OF prison made goods from
other states would be declared unconstitutional
as sure as you and are here.
In Congress there are many members who are
sympathetic with the labor movement individually.
but collectively they have neither heart soul nor
mind. They belong 20 the machine and we must
break up this machine. The engineer general OF
the machine is Uncle JOe. who in his genial way
has no more deviltry in his nature toward organ
lied labor than any other man know Of
The chairman invited discussion on the subject
before the meeting, and about twenty delegates
tried 70 speak at once Delegate Abrahams Of the
Franklin Association Of Press Feeders said that
socialist. he did not believe the right OF the
Central Federated Union 20 prevent him from re-
naming a socialist. Abrahams then surprised the
meeting by saying he did not believe In honest
men, but believed IN principle. He knew of no
such thing honest
What we want Is socialism" he said when
the stomach Is empty people being 90 think. Then
the wheels In the head begin 90 move and we be-
come socialists"
Henry DE Veaux. Of the Actors Protective Union.
took exception both 20 the alleged means Of be-
coming socialists and TO the statement that there
no such thing an honest man.
Mr.. GOmpers then took the floor again and had
tilt with Abrahans whom he censUFed fOF saving
that he did not believe In honest men.
Il would he sorry to say. he said, that I did
believe in honest men, know that there are
plenty OF honest men, but would rather be fooled
by rascal than 20 believe that there was no hon
est man.,
A renIy was made by AbFahams who said he
knew what he talking about and repeated some
of his assertions.
Oh said Mr.. Gompers. getting nettled. your
knowledge ts great as 20 oNertop the combined
knowledge Cf all the wOrklngmen In the country
except yourself. 20 Judge by your own ideas. am
sorry In the year 1906 Co see In this hall counter
part Of BiOgenes. who existed more than two thOus-
and years ago"
he had enough of it Apparently the reference 90
DioGenes had stUmped him. Then Mr. GOmpers
got Into dispute with another man. wh- said that
4 man without party like dog without q
collar MIR Gompers said that be was 40 dog ana
he wore 10 oae's cellar.