The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-11-10
GOMPERS STRIKES, BACK AT CRITICS
Continued from Page One.

Continued from Page One.
so bold that several times they only es-
capped prosecution by hasty departure 10
fresh fields and pastures new.
There are warrants out for Henry
Rice in several States. sworn 10 by bust
ness men whom he has 1eeced- We have
in our Office original correspondence vol
unfairly sent to US, proving that Henry
Rice has over and over again stolen from
those who employed him. He is not in
fear Of physical assault as he claims in
his affidavit, but he may well fear that
he will be arrested and sentenced to
serve time for his swindles. The Ma
tional Association of Manufacturers can
not plead ignorance of this mans char
acter when they hire him 10 defame me,
The fact is that no other sort Of a man
could be found to do this kind of work.
a facsimile receipt has been published
in order 10 give the impression that 1
had some questionable financial trans
actions with Rice. That was simply an
ordinary business transaction. The money
received from Rice was used, as I have
already explained. wholly for the Amer
lean Federation of Labor.
The American Federation OF Labor
and many business men have suffered
from Rice's depredatiOns, and did we
wish evil to the Manufacturers Associa-
ton, we could not hope for anything
worse than that they should have him
as one of their agents. The attack upon
the Federation officials misrepresents the
action which the American Federation OF
Labor has taken on several occasions in
its conventions. For instance, II is
charged that 1 was investigated at the
Chicago convention in 1893, and the in
timation is made that / was white
washed.
1T is true that had some opposition.
There was a man ambitious 10 succeed
me as president, and he had following
among the delegates Some Of my OPP
ponents started "A rumor that l had not
accounted satisfactorily for the money
received for the sale OF the advertising
privilege for our souvenir that year A
committee of five was appointed TO in
vestigate the matter; three of the five
were known TO be personally opposed TO
my reelection as president and in favor
Of the election OF my opponent. The
committee found that the rUmOrs were
baseless. I had properly accounted for
every dollar received. 1t Is true that
the committee recommended that no
further annual souvenirs be issued. but
that was because the convention decided
TO establish our official monthly maya
zine. The report Of the committee, show
ing that I had properly fulfilled the trust
repOsed in me, was unanimously adopted
by the convention. was reelected
l., do
Of our official magazine, authorized TO be
established BY that convention.
Makes Open Charges.
II also charge, openly and pointedly.
that the Manufacturers Association has
for the past two years conducted a secret
and widespread boycott. We have ample
proof Of this in our records. It penalties
manufacturers who advertise in our col
umns. It terrorizes merchants who would
like to advertise with US by threatening
to ruin their business if they do This
is the association which conducts secret
boycott itself. and is trying 70 get the
courts to enjoin the A. F. OF L. from
publishing an we don't patronize" list
of unfair firms The blacklisting and boy
cotting tactics Of the Manufacturers AS
sociation adds considerably TO the expense
and trouble Of securing advertising.
1T is true that in 1903 and 1901 we had
an apparent deficit on the American Fed
erationist Our secretary's report. from
which this was joyCusly culled by our
opponents, was only of the current condi-
ton and did not mention several thousand
dollars Of collectible bills which were a
good asset and were subsequently realized
upon
The Reports GarbIed
The garbled extracts published by the
Manufacturers Association were taken
from our published financial reports.
which are on file in public libraries and
everywhere our magazine is to be found.
These financial transactions have been
audited by special committee each year.
and passed upon by the convention. 1t
Is a huge joke to the labor movement
to pretend that there is anything secret
about the American Federation of Labor
finances.
L think the National Manufacturers
Association will do well TO follow our ex-
ample and publish each month the sub
scriptiOns received to the 81. 10000 war
fund. l challenge 1t to publish the true
story of what the money is expended for
Courts a Full Inquiry.
My colleagues and court the fullest
possible inquiry from the delegates repre-
senting our 100000 members who will be
at our Norfolk convention. and I shall
send broadcast the invitation TO the rank
and file of our membership 10 study with
renewed vigilance the acts of its officers
in the coming year We are proud in the
knowledge that we have administered the
affairs of the Federation not only hon
estly, but economically and intelligently.
AS to there being an official ring
within the Federation. ask those inter |
ested to study the doings Of the Norfolk
convention next week
The attacks Of the National Manufac- |
turers' Association are an insult to the
intelligence of our members. Such at