Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-11-18
LEADERS
ATTEND DINNER
ROOSEVELT GIVES BANQUET
AT WHITE HOUSE
EXECUTIVE AND CABINET MEN,
BERs ASK QUESTIONS
Several Prominent Men Join in Effort
to Sound Captains of Unlonized
Wage Earners-Vlews
ELECTED

WASHINGTON, Nov. 17.-Subjeeting
his guests, who were representatives of
many of the leading labor organiza-
lions of this country, to a rapid fire of
questions, President Roosevelt at a
dinner given by him at the White
House tonight endeayored TO learn
what labor wanted from congress, and
in what way he could be of assistance
to the toilers of the country
While the president did not commit
himself to any of the propositions sub
mitted by the various labor leaders, 1t
was learned that he sought full eX-
preston of sentiment from all of them.
Justice Moody, Secretary Straus and
Secretary Garfield frequently asked
questions of some of the captains of
labor
The general impression prevailed
among the labor leaders after the dim
ner that the presidents message to
congress would show some of the fla
Vor of the conference.
Questioned about the dinner after
ward, several Of the labor leaders de-
clared they had enjoyed themselves i'm
mensely at the presidents table and
had partaken of a bully dinner"
One went so far as to confess that
he had enjoyed the candy which was
passed around so much that he had
stuck four pieces into his pocket to
take home to his little girl.
Thinks 1t Was Fine
He said it was fine to eat off plates
having on them the White House seal. "
Occasionally during the conference
the labor leaders would become in
volved In debate, which would termin-
ate in some tangible suggestion being
offered.
President Roosevelt in his machine
&c co I'll
cry possible phase of the labor ques-
ton.
The labor leaders talked without re-
serve and were free to reiterate their
pronounced attitude on some issues to
which congress had in the past turned
an unwilling ear.
What seemed most significant of all,
both to the president and to other gov
eminent officials present, was the sug-
gestion that congress should pass a
bill of rights into which all labor legis'
lation should be Incorporated, and
should create a publicity board whose
purpose would be to investigate and
make public. the details of controver-
sizes between capital and labor
The plea for bill of rights was made
by P. Fl. Morrisey. grand master OF
the railway trainmen, while the pub
licity board idea was advanced by t. j.
~
the Brotherhood of Steam Shovel and
Dredgemen.
The presidents interest in these two
propositions was keenly awakened, but
as to his attitude upon them he was
non committal.
Although many of the speakers ex-
pressed their opposition to the boycott
and sympathetic strike, they urged that
congress should better define the in
junction power of the courts and asked
for a modification of both this law and
the Sherman antitrust law.
They also wished congress to define
the exact status of labor organizations
in general, and whether they should be
permitted to "solicit peacefully"
There was a divergence Of opinion on
some of the propositions advanced, but
one of the leaders said that the presl-
dent told his guests that their differ
ences would ultimately result in more
comprehensive ideas and that he urged
them to get together on everything II
possible and present a united front.