The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1907-01-12
CHAMP CLARK SPEAKS
ON G0MPERS' STRENGTH
Gives Labor's "Grand Old Man.
Credit for Much Political
Activity.
If Gompers Helped Littlefield, He
At Least Has Influence
in Congress-.

Washington, D. c., Jan. 10.-In a let
ter to the newspapers the Hon. Champ
Clark refers as follows on the influence
of organized labor in politics. He
says:
During the campaign President
Samuel Gompers Of the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor invaded the con-
gressional district of Hon. Charles E.
Littledeld Of Maine, and did his ut
most to defeat that distinguished
statesman. In 1904 Littlef1eld received
over 5000 majority. This year his
majority was a little above 1000, a
considerable falling off surely, but
shortly after that election Brother
Littleheld declared he was helped
rather that hurt by the assault Of
President Gompers. Mr.. Chairman
James S. Sherman also declared that
President Gomper' opposition helped
Littlefeld, but nevertheless it was
noted by close observers that Mr..
Chairman Sherman and the rest of the
Republicans carefully avoided invit-
ing President Gompers to come into
their districts and fight them, which
was precisely what they would have
done had they really believed that
Gompers helped Littlefield by fighting
him.
Now, if Gompers had no influence
on the voters, very strange thing
has come to pass, and that Is that
he has much influence >on Represen-
tatives in Congress. If he has no
influence on voters, why should he
have influence in Congress? VIII
Brother Littlefleld or Brother Sherman
answer that? I am sure that I can
prove by Brother Littlefield that Pres
ident Gompers has influence in the
House, for when Brother Littlef1eld
forced his pilotage bill to vote the
other day on the standup vote he had
substantial majority of his bill, but
on roll call, where every mans name
goes down in history. there was an
overwhelmingly majority against the
bill. Why that remarkable and sudden
change In the minds Of Representa-
tives? President Gompers was against
1t-thats. all, and that's fact No. / as
to the influence of President Gompers.
Fact No. 2 is that when Hon. John
T. Hunt, Democrat. Of ST. Louis, called
mp -hisssl to-
riers from carrying convict made goods
into States prohibiting the sale OF the
same, the opposition to it was pitable
in its weakness, only half dozen
speaking against it in a half hearted
manner, and only three voting against
it.
The wherefore Of that unusual ap-
proach to unamity was the fact that
President Gompers and all the millions
of union1zed labor were in favor of the
bill. Hunt was the father Of the bill,
and he made a strong. conservative
and convincing speech in it's behalf.
1t is great pity that he is not to be
IN the Sixtieth Congress, but it's a
ten-to-one shot that he will be in the
Sixty first Congress and in several
succeeding Congresses.
Rejecting upon the foregoing facts,
it seems that Messrs. Littlef1eld, Sher-
man ct al, will be compelled to revise
their verdicts as to the influence of
President Samuel Gompers."
OF course we do not ascribe these
results to any fGPr on the part of
congressman, says President Gompers
In reply. They are simply human and
have wholesome respect for the opin-
ions of their constituents, If those con-
stituents show sufficient active inter-
est to see that their rights and the
welfare Of the people are protected
and furthered.
We shall take pleasure from time to
time to record the progress made.
Give credit where credit is due, and
hew to the line no matter where the
chips fall. Labor insists on justice.
right and fair treatment, and will be
content with nothing less.