Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-16
PREPARING BIG STICK
PLANS OF ORGANIZED LABOR AS
TO SECRETARY STRAUS.
Head of Department of Commerce and
Labor Says His Position Is
Misrepresented.

Organized labor is evidently preparing
a big stick for use on Oscar S. Stratus,
Secretary of the Department of Commerce
and Labor, according TO advices from New
York and other places. He is accused of
trying to convert the department under
his control into a clearing house for
labor" and other things.
When special dispatch from New
York bearing on this subject, was shown
to Mr.. Samuel Gompers, president Of the
American Federation of Labor. by Star
representative today, he gave utterance to
some vigorous language on the subject
of the importation of Asiatic labor into
the United States. The dispatch from
New York says:
The controversy between the National
Association of Manufacturers and Samuel
Gompers. president of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor. over the proposition to
raise $4,000 a wear for three years to pro-
tect the interest of the employers against
the labor unions and the reply of the manu-
facturcrs 10 the attack of Gompers caused
a stir in the meeting of the Central Fed
Grated Union yesterday The matter was
brought up by Delegate Coakley of the
photographic APPRENTICES Union.
Alleged Intelligence Office.
Delegate Coakley said that Oscar S.
Commerce and Labor. was trying to sstab-
lish kind of intelligence office for the
better distribution of the immigrants
throughout the country.
Mr. Strauss he said represents the
Civic Federation of this city. His appoint
ment IS due to the influence of the Civic
Federation. II was a remarkable thing
that he says he wants to make the intelli-
gence office clearing house for labor,
and the National Association of Manufac-
turers also wants to make a clearing house
for labor The whole thing seems TO be,
as far as Mr.. Straus is concerned. the cut
ting down of the barriers against oriental
labor. He says that oriental labor can be
used TO do work that white labor would
not care TO do
"Ephraim Kaufman of the Clothing Cut
ters' Union said that it was a new phase In
the affairs of the country when a cabinet
minister took the same views as the manu-
facturerS' association. He said that the
matter should be brought to the attention
OF President Roosevelt"
Mr.. Gompers' Position.
President Gompers said the foregoing dis
patch gave him the first lntimation as To
Secretary Straus' alleged intentions In re-
gard TO the Importation of Asiatic labor He
Was both surprised and panied - learn OF
Mr. Straus attitude, as reported from New
York. he said. But he continued so far as
the intention of the secretary applies 10
Asiatlc labor II does not make particle OF
difference to organized labor and Will not
disarrange its plans In that particular Mr.
straus or any other official who attempts
what Is charged ~ the Central Federated
mon of New York. will have to stand the
luH responsibility of his action. Thu imu,i-
grafton plans as gwen. he further declared
are not going TO he carried into effect. no
matter what government official may advo-
cafe them, Mr.. Straus or any one else"
rttrflT nor tal
men of this country do not want the gates
opened in any degree for the admission OF
ASlatiC immigration
1t Is fraught with too much danger to
The people. said Mr.. Gompers. We are
not modifying our position In the matter,
nor viii We lay down upon 1t. If MI
Stratus has taken the position stated | am
sorry, out Il Is not going to change our
position"
Incorrectly Reported.
Secretary Straus said TO reporter TO,
The Star this afternoon that the repre-.
sanitation of his attitude in the New Yorl
dispatch was incorrect
The last Congress" said Mr. Straus
provided FOR division of information in
the bureau of immigration and / put at
TIE head of II one OF the best-in formed
ana Observation-Disclosures of the labor men o
tns country Terence V. Powderly. He has
begun his work In broad way in &C
CprdanCe with the meaning and the shirt
~ tn" law. He is prepared to give the
benefit OF our Investigations 10 labor In
general Il they choose To take advantage OF
It There is no reason why laborers al
ready IN this country. as we'll as recently
arrived immigrants should not take adj
vantage OF this opportunity as an aid in
finding work and being advised where their
services are required.
The division Is administered entirel,
for the benefit of labor in general arr
very sure that neither Mr. Gompers no,
my other enlightened labor leader. car
take exception to the method of admins
teriuG thls bureau. which Is done in tn,
Interests OF labor, and | am also glad thai
Mr. Gompers has not allowed himself u
b" msled by inaccuracies in the repre-
santa;ion OF my position