The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-09-29
TRIED TO BRIBE.
G0npofs Says Van Claave At.
tempted to Buy 9im Oft.
TAFT RESPONSIBLE

For Contempt Proceedings Says the
Labor Leader: He Goes into De-
tails of the Attempt 20 Bribe Him,
Giving Names, Dates and Other
Particulars.
Samuel Gompers, president of the
American Federation Of Labor, as
Washington Thursday introduced the
name Of Former Secretary Taft and
made serious charges against w. J.
Van Cleve, president of the National
Association of Manufacturers. The
charges were made as part Of Mr..
Gompers' testimony in connection
with the proceeding against him.
Secretary Morrison and John Mitch
ell in the Buck stove and range co.,
tempt case. Mr.. Gompers was at
the time under cross-eXamination at
the hands !, Of his attorney, Jackson
H. Ralston.
In the case of Mr.. Taft, Mr.. Com
pers in effect charged that he had
supplied the sentiment behind the
injunction decree, while the direct
charge was made that Mr. Van
Cleve had had Mr.. Gompers and 9TH
er federation officials shadowed by
detectives and had undertaken to
have Mr.. Gompers bribed to desert
the cause of organized labor and
Join its enemies.
Mr.. Ralston's efforts were directed
towards OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
towards showing a naunter-conspir-
acy by the manufactn RS to destroy
trade unionism. He REID the portion
of Mr. Taft's presidential nomina-
ton acceptance bearing on the anti
injunction plank and commenting
upon the extract, Mr.. Gompers said:
1T is substantially the basis Of
this injunction suit and these con-
tempt proceedings. under that in
junction"
Mr.. Ralston: Il understand you,
then, it is in reliance upon Mr..
Taft's decisions that you are here
today"
Mr.! Gompers: Justice Could in
his opinion so asserts and he quotes
from injunctions by Judge Taft while
on the bench, 80 -.
Mr.. Ralston: 'Judge Tafts stand
in the matter then having the en-
dorsement of the National Associa-
tion of Manufacturers"
MIR. Gompers: Yes"
Mr.. Ralston asked Mr.. Gompers
whether there had been any general
effort to break down organized Ia
Dor, and he replied:
MEN have been suborned to spy
on their fellow laborers in shops,
factories and mines; to report the
proceedings of union meetings.; to
spy on the personal conduct of work.
men after working hours and to fol-
low from place to place labor lead
ers visiting other cities than their
homes. Money has also been used to
bribe representative labor men to
cease their connection with the Ia
bos os>organizations and direct their
activ. as to the National Manufac-
turers' association. They have not
offered substantial safeguard in the
| future"
After giving details of his own
pursuit by detectives, Mr.. Gompers
then told of being approached IN
New York by man named Brough-
ton Brandenburg of New York, who,
he said, had attempted in 1907 to
bribe him in the interest of Mr.. Van
Cleye. He said" Mr.. Gompers con-
tinued, that he was friendly to me
and he thought that Mr.. Van Cleve
and myself should have a better
understanding and offered to bring
about a meeting between us to es'
tablish more agreeable relations.
MIR. Gompers stated that he told
Brandenburg that he would be glad
to meet Mr.. Van Cleve, as it had
always been his policy to encourage
friendly conferences in matters IN"
yolving labor disputes. After Mr.
Gompers returned to Washington
he said that he received several
communications from Brandenburg
and stated that this correspondence
had led to an agreement for meet
ing in New York. He was accom-
panied to NV York by Vice Presi-
dents Duncan and Huber, both OF
whom had advised him to carry out
the agreement for 4 conference.
Relating the particulars OF the
second meeting in New York, Mr.
Gompers said Brandenburg disclosed
to him his purpose, saying that ne
knew it to be the intention Of Mr'
Van Cleve to destroy his (Gompers'
character, but that he (Branden'
burg) had persuaded Van Cleve that
it would he better in the interest OF
Van Cleve's purpose to make an ally
OF Gompers and to prevail upon him
to betray the secrets OF the Fedora
ton of Labor revealing. MI.
Gompers added, whatever informa'
zion | possessed which might reflect
| aa4 -; M an ta LII, un0n Ia hnr OrpGCl.