Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-25
G0MPERS IS AT HOME
RETURNS AFTER MAKING
SPEECHES IN INDIANA.

President Samuel Gompers of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor returned to this
city last night from Indiana, where he
took an active part in the political cam
paign against those representatives in Con-
gress who have been placed in the category
of enemies to organized labor" 1t was
denied by officials of the A. F. L. that
President Gompers abandoned the political
fight because Of lack of support his audi
ences gave him, as stated in recent reports
from Indiana
1t was said that he had to bring his
speech last Monday night to an abrupt
close, owing to the disorder in the hall in
which he was speaking. He was hooted
and called traitor. President Gompers
finished the last speech that he had in
tended to make Tuesday evening, and the
officials say that he will be unable to speak,
owing to the time that the compilation of
his annual report to the convention of the
American Federation of Labor will take.
He will have to devote all his time until
the 1th Of November in preparing that
work.
Is Much Encouraged.
Friends of Mr.. Gompers assert that he is
much encouraged by the results he believes
will accrue from the participation of labor
Some Of his views on the situation are
set forth in the current issue of the Fed
erationist the organ of the A. F. L. He
contributes the leading article under the
caption "Labor's campaign in the making"
Therein he points with pride to the effect
as he views it, of the work accomplished by
the organizations excursion into politics.
and dwells largely on the claim that the
publication of the records of representa-
t1Ves In Congress who have not complied
with the demands of the unions has sent
them scurry1ng to square themselves.
Some "Squirmed Nightly"
There have been congressman" he says
who squirmed nightly. and even came to
the federation headquarters to explain or
to plead that their record be not published
Such special pleadings had no effect on the
plan Of campaign. and it is worthy Of note
that the correctness of the federation record
has not been inmpeached in a single in
stance"
After telling how each representative was
requested to state his attitude the vari-
Gus legislative measures affecting labor
interests. Mr.. Gompers comments further
as follows:
Some congressman seemed to shrink
greatly from the broad glare of publicity
and protested vigorously against publica-
ton of their replies, but without avail.
The day has gone by when a congress
man can privately assure the labor people
of his friendship and at the same time re-
tain his intrest with forces directly op-
posed to the common good
BLACKLIST" Question.
Referring to the blacklist question, Mr..
Gompers says:
Many a congressman seemed beset with
grave anxiety for fear he was on the black
list. 1t would appear from his anxiety that
this was something very mysterious and
terrible-that a man might be placed on it
in some secret fashion and then done to
defeat without warning or chance Of de-
Tense.
THE blacklist bugaboo was invented and
fostered by the opposition press.
There has been no blacklist at ALL
In conclusion the writer makes the fol-
lowing prediction as to the result of the
present campaign:
Though labor's campaign is conducted
under many disadvantages, yet beyond
question, when the roll is called at the
opening of the Sixtieth Congress, there will
be answering present members who
are union men, who understand the aims
and objects of unionsm, and can intelli-
gently present them Also many, not mem
beers of unions but pledged to the interests
of labor"