Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-09-25
G0MPERS SAYS EFFORT
WAS MADE TO BRIDE HIM,
Gives Sensational Testimony In Contempt Proceed.
lngs Against Union Labor Officials During Pro.
gress Of the Trial at Washington.

Washington. Sept. 24.-Samuel Com
pers president of the Federation, to-
day introduced the name of Former
Secretary Taft and made serious
charges against w. j. Vancleave,
president of the National Association
of Manufacturers in his testimony in
connection with the proceedings
arainst himself, Vice President Mitch
ell and Secretary Morrison OF the Fed
Grafton on the charge of contempt in
violating the injunction decree Of the
supreme court of the District of Co
lumbia, directing them not to publish
the Bucks Stove & Range Co.. of st.
Louis as unfair" Mr.. Gompcrs was
at the time under cross-examinatiOn
at the hands of his attorney, Jackson
H. Ralston.
Mr.. GOmpers in effect charged that
Mr.. Taft had supplied the sentiment
behind the Injunction decree, while the
direct charge was made that Mr.. VAN
Cleve had had Mr.. Gompers and Otner
federation officials Swallowed by detec-
tivcs and had undertaken to have Mr..
Gompers bribod to desert the cause
Of organized labor and join it's en-
rected towards showing counter con-
spracy BY the manufacturers to de-
stroy trades unionism and in the
course of his questioning of Mr.
Gompers. he directed a number of in
uuiries to the political aspects of the
controversy In connection with one
of these. he read a portion of Mr.
Tafts Presidential nomination acccp-
lance speech, bearing on the anti in
junction plank. and commenting upon
the extract, Mr.. Gompers said
1T is substantially the basis of this
Injunction suit and these contempt
proceedings under that Injunction
Mr. RalstOn-.I understand you them
It is in reliance upon Mr.. Tafts de-
cision that you are here today"
Mr. Commensurate Gould in his
opinion so asserts and he quotes from
injunctions issued by Judge Taft while
upon the bench
Mr. Ralston-"Judge Taft's standing
in tho matter then. having the en-
dorsement of the National Association
of Manufacturers?
Mr. GomperS-'Ycs"
The witness related his experience
with detectives and others with thrill
Ing detail Mr.. Gompers told of beng
approached in New York by Il man
named Broughton Brandenburg Of New
York, who he said, had attempted in
1867 to bride HIM in the interest of Mr..
Van Cleve. He stated that when Mr..
Brandenhurg first spoke to him he was
leaving the Victoria hotel land that
this man came to him and called his
attention to the fact that he mad met
him at various meetings. HE said
Mr.. Gompers continued that he was
friendly to me and he thought that
Mr. Van Cleve and myself should have
better understanding and offered to
bring about meeting between us and
TO establish more agreeable relations.
Mr.. Gompers stated that he told
Rrandenburg that he would be glad to
meet Mr.. Van CIeve as it had always
peen his policy to encourage frinedly
conferences in matters involving labor
disputes. He had not, however. on this
occasion been able to comply with
Brandenhurg's request for a conference
and none was arranged at that time.
Notwithstanding Brandenburg tried to
secure his attendance. After M. Com
pers returned to Washington. he said
That he had received several communi-
cations from Brandenburg. both under
MS own name and an assumed name
and stated that his correspondence had
led to an agreement for a meeting IN
New York. On this occasion, he was &C
companicd to New York by Vice Pres
WontS Hnhpr both OF
whom had advised him to carry out the
agreement for a conference. notwith-
standing. he. Mr.. Gompers. had become
suspicious of Brandenburg's motives
Relating the particulars of the second
meeting in New York. Mr.. Gompcrs
said that after some preliminary talk
between himself and Brandenburg. the