Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-12-06
WILL HAVE STRONG LOBBY
Organized Labor Will Ty to Have Several Important Bills Passed
 At This Session.
coMPERs IS VERY ACTIVE.

Washington, D. C.. Dec GA strong lobby is to be maintained in Washington throughout the present session of congress by organized labor. Samuel Gompers, president of the American Federation of Labor, and his supporters have not abandoned their idea of obtaining from congress the laws for the enactment of which they have been so insistent, although they realize that the contest has been doubly hard for them because of the attitude of certain members of the house whom they vigorously opposed in the recent campaign. They do not believe, however, that the justice of their cause has been impaired and they will carry their contest along that line.
 President Gompers says he pro- poses to press for serious considera- ton of the measures for the further limitation of immigration, for the modification of the Chinese exclusion law, for the limitation of the hours of railroad employees, for the restric- tion of the employment of child la Dor, for an extension of the eight hour law and for anti-injunctlon leg islation.
 It is realized by the labor leaders that, on account of the attitude of President Roosevelt and the known sentiment of many members of both branches of congress, the enactment of the anti-injunction bill will be a practical impossibility, at least in this session. It is not unlikely, indeed, that the measure may be reported from the committee and killed by Il definite vote in the house. Despite what seems to be the likelihood of certain reverse on this bill, the labor lobby will continue to work for 1t.
 A chance for the enactment of some of the other labor measures eventually appears to exist. This Is particularly true of that relating to the employment of child labor. The president favors bill of that kind and 1t is strongly supported by mem- bers of congress of powerful in6u- ence. It long has been pet idea of John Mitchell, president of the Unl- ted Mine Works of America, one of the ablest and most conservative oe labor leaders. He desires to have 2 stop put to the employment of boys under a certain age in the mines. He personally brought the subject to the attention of President Roosevelt in most forceful way and the president will lend his influence to the enact ment of legislation along the lines in- dicated.
 Another measure, backed by organ. ixed labor, which certainly will be crystalIzed into law in the near fu- ture, although 1t may not be enacted at this session, it Is limiting the hours of employment of railroad operatives. It already has been considered favor ably and might have passed at the last session of congress had 1t not been for objections to certain phases of 1t urged by Senator Carter. of Montana. and two or three other sen ators. It Is regarded generally In congress as a bill of absolute neces- slty in q proper form and, when whipped into shape. no serious diff culty probably will be experienced in getting through. This measure, too. in principle, has the earnest support of President Roosevelt, who regards it as a necessary protection of life and property.
 The bill further to restrict immi- grafton will have the support of the organized labor lobby, but, in the opinion of conservative observers, 1t is scarcely likely 1t will be passed. The demand for labor In this country is increasing more rapidly than the supply. particularly in the south. La bor leaders are obliged to admit this fact. but they insist that American labor has a right to protection against the hordes which annually are coming to this country from Europe.
 The likelihood of favorable condi- ton of some of the measures advocat- ed by organized labor is accentuated by realization on the part of the re publicans that the labor vote Is drift ing gradually away from the party and it Is their desire to swing this powerful factor into line for the re- publican candidate at the next presi-