Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-10-26
Q)NP[RS MAKES
An ANGRY REPLY
Issues Answer to Presidents
Letter to Senator Knox on
the Labor Vote
ROOSEVELT TERMED UNFAIR
Labor Leader Intimates That Presi-
dents Well Known Record Stands
for Nausht - Presidents Only Re-
j ply is That Gompers Should Read
AIger's Article on Taft and Labor.

Washington, Oct 36.-Replying to
President Roosevelt's letter to Senator
Knox In reference to the application OF
the writ Of Injunction in labor disputes,
Samuel Gompers. president Of the
American Federation of Labor, in a
statement issued today severely ar
raigns the president for what he terms
"a change Of position Of at least ap-
ible antagonism."
Mr.. Gompers says that last Febru-
ary he sent Mr.. Roosevelt an issue of
the American Federationist, in which
was published the chapter, "Some
Equivocal Rights Of Labor from
George A. Alger's book, Moral Over
strain"
"The chapter of the book Mr..
Gompers says, "is as keen criticism
of the courts Of the country in their
de cisions affecting the rights, inter-
ests, and liberty Of the workers as any
thing have ever said or written"
The president in acknowledging re-
ceipt of the article sent the following:
''The White House., Washington,
Jan. 27, 1908. My Dear Mr.. Gompers:
You may be amused to know that !
have sent copies Of the Moral Over
strain to Justices Day and McKenna.
am glad that you were able to use
it in the American Federationist, and
thank you for sending me the copy of
the magazine. Sincerely yours,
.THEoDORE ROOSEVELT"
"The fact Of the matter isl Mr..
Gompers declares, ''that President
Roosevelt, having made Injunction
Judge Taft the candidate Of the repub-
lican party for president, and seeing
that the Tabor vote which so often
has been corralled, diverted and de-
livered by the politicians, is now
aroused, and determined to deliver its
own vote; that the toilers will not be
cajoled, deceived or brow beaten;
that in his anger, by the worst exhi-
bition of demagogism, tried to instil
into the employers and business men
the fear that their property and bus
mess are in danger of the square deal
implied by equality before the law and
human freedom, are accorded to the
workers with all other citizens. 1t is
an exhibition of impotent rage and dis
appointment, and an awful descent
from the dignity of the high office Of
the president Of the United States.
No one but himself will be deceived
as to the purpose of Mr.. Roosevelt"
Mr.. Gompers insists that the presi-
dent "makes direct and specific at
tack upon Labor" in his letter to Sen
ator Knox.
"The mere fact" continues Mr..
Gompers, "that Mr.. Roosevelt de-
nounces a proposition as wicked does
not so constitute It; time and circum-
stances and party obligation have per-
suaded him to modify his judgment
and his utterances. Surely, it must
bring JUNCTION to him to find his un-
warranted attack on me so thoroughly
appreciated by the New York Sun.
which characterized him for his past
utterances In as severe language as
that with which he now attacks me-
Referring to dissenting opinions OF
Justice Harlan, Justice Moody and
many distinguished jurfsts and legal
authorities on the abuse of the injunc-
ton he declares that Mr.. Roosevelt has
"placed me in good company" a
"of course" he says, "every one
knows that the president strongly
urged every measure which he advo-
Gated, and then accepted what his po.
Assical opponents in his own party chose
to give him. It is general knowledge
that he had a more liberal platform
prepared for adoption by the republi-
can convention at Chicago and then
accepted what they doled out. All
know that the nomination of Mr.. Sher-
man for the vice presidency was con-
cocted by, Senator Burrows and genial
Uncle Joe Cannon as slap in the face
to Mr.. Roosevelt; but the president,
because his injunction judge, Mr..
Taft. has been nominated for the pres
idency, now not only swallows the
whole pot penrri, but must direct
" and indirectly attack me in the fight
which my fellow workers and I are
making in defense OF equality before
the law of the men of labor with all
other citizens, and for the establish
ment of human freedom
Mr.. Gompers asserts that the "Pearre
Injunction bill, which Mr.. Roosevelt at
tacks, has been before several con-
crosses without a word Of criticism or
comment from him." and scouts the
suggestion that "Mr. Mitchell and 9TH
er labor leaders" are ne IN sympathy
with him in his advoca, of the Pearre
and VUiIeop iDiunctiOn bills