The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-05-24
CANNON IS FLAYED
BY LABOR LEADER
Gompers Holds Speaker Re
sponsible for "Throttling
Legislation.

The American Federationist, official
organ Of the American Federation OF
Labor. came out last night with a red
bot editorial from the pen Of President
Gompers concerning Speaker Cannon
and the "do-nothing'' Congress. The
6Tospect Of adjournment with no action
toward enactment OF an amendment 10
the sherman antitrust Jaw, measure
limiting the injuncttve power. and an
eight-hour law for Government en-
ployes. as well as other remedial meas
ures for the labor interests, inspired the
article.
After recountirg how, by means OF
petitions from mass meetings all over
the country, all Congressman ana Sen
ators were advised of organized labor
desires. President Gompers solemnly
sounds a note OF warning that the peO-
pie viii join in holding Congress re-
spcnsible for failure 10 legislate.
Many congressman continues the
editorial, plead that under the domino
ton OF our genial Uncle Joe Cannon
it is impossible to get these bills before
the House. What a humiliating con-
fession from the members Of our high
est legislative body-held fast in the
grip of one irresponsible man, subject
TO his whim!
. Represents Power.
/'Nor must We forget that this ire
sponslble tyrant is not representing lis
personal whims alone-ah, no; he rCo-
reSents the powerful interests which.
with the doclle consent OF the majority
of the House. have placed him there
and aided him IN imposing his auto
cratic rune upon the House. Labor
holds those members Of the House re-
sponsible who allowed Congress to be
delivered. bound hand and foot, as they
say. until IL Is impossible 20 secure
legislation except at the permission OF
this one man.
when these members should have
been alert TO protect the interests OF
the people, they allowed themselves to
be blinded by the slogan of party 10y
atty. IN their slavish obedience 10 the
party whip, they allowed their chains
10 be riveted upon them. The situation
is a most grave one. Not only are the
rights and interests OF the workers
threatened by the hostile and impe-
rious domination of Speaker Cannon,
but the interests Of the whole people
are imperiied.
Need of Firmness.
IF we had twenty-five or fifty mem
hers who would not obey the party
whip, but would stand fearless and
Observation-Disclosures the wishes OF
their constituents-then we might hope
Ito defeat the Uncle Joe type Of brutal
iautocrat, and secure a Speaker who
would perform his duty to the people
and serve their interests by permitting
full freedom Of debate and fun Oppor-
tunity for passage of legislation.
ut Is of little use for Congressman TO
frantically implore the American Fed
Grafton of Labor 10 give them a clear
record and explain their inability TO
secure a vote on labor legislation. They
must make the explanation to their
constituents themselves, and also ex-
plain how they came to betray the in
terests Of the people by electing such q
Speaker and crawling TO his feet every
time he promulgated new rule 70
throttle debate and obstruct legislation.
Labor will hold the failure TO legis-
late by this session of Congress. no
matter for what reason, as the refusal
To legiSlate,"