The Washington herald., 1908-05-17


"The PubIics' Is a Myth"
Samuel Gompers. president Of the Ameri-
can Federation Of Labor. yesterday repeat
ed before a Senate committee his threat,
made some weeks ago before q House
committee. that unless Congress passed
an anti-injunetion bill the laborers Of
the country would secretly organize.
Understand, I do not threaten; pre-
dict" said Mr.. Gompers. II never make
threats when persuasion serves my pur-
pose better. When persuasion fails. 1
threaten. If neeessary-never Unlawfully,
for I believe In the observance OF the
law"
The Senate Committee on judiciary,
which heard Mr.. Gompers. who appeared
to advocate the passage OF the Wilson
Smith bill 10 limit the power of Federal
courts to issue injunchons restraining
workingmen, were somewhat startled by
Mr.. GomDers' forctble utterances.
Two Million Unemployed.
The president of the American Fedora
tion Of Labor declared that there were
at tHe present time two million unem-
ployed working men and women In the
United States who had been employed
prior to the recent panic. He estimated
that during the 10 working days Of their
enforced idleness the loss to the wealth
Of the country in productive results wds
az low estimate, $50 a day for each
ldler. or, in the agreate. &S75 000.0
How is that for waste of the natu-
raj resources OF the country Mr.. Com
pers asked.
"No man has a property right OF vested
interest in MY patronage or that Of my
fellows" declared Mr.. l4ompers. bringing
down his clenehed fist upon the table by
way Of emphasis. Il can bestow it or
withhold it" This was said in defense Of
the boycott.
In reply 10 a direct inquiry from Sena-
tor Nelson. he defended the boycott by
trade unions. and complained especially
Of the two recent injunetions in the case
of the Buck Stove and Range Company.
against the American Federation OF
Labor. and the Danbury hatters' case, de-
AAuNA bF t&lc supreme 1VEEks
Declares workers Are Angry.
There is more intense feeling among
the organized laborers of this country to-
day on account Of that decision BY the
Supreme Court of the United States (the
Danbury hat easel than ever before since
/ have had any knowledge Of the affairs
OF organized labor" be said.
The American laborers are not going
out Of business. They are not going 10
surrender their right OF association. They
are not going to be driven out Of exist
ence by being forced TO surrender the
privilege OF doing the lawful things that
other people are privileged to do and ex-
ercise individual rights that have been
recognized as lawful since Magma Charta.
IF they are not allowed to do these
lawful things openly, In full public view,
then I imagine, I predict, they viii do the
next best thing-organize secretly.
do you gentlemen expect that the
labor organizations will meet and Join
In singing paeans Of praise 70 their en-
ployers or kotow 10 Wealth.
Mr.. Gompers spoke of the recent case
in New Orleans quoted approvingIy by
the United States Supreme Court in its
opinion in the Danbury hatters' case. He
said that he had understood that the
seventy-five indictments growing out Of
that injunction issued by Federal Judge
were not 10 be pressed by the Federal
authorities lie disapproved of that
course. If the workingmen are guilty.
send them 10 jail; il may mean a salu-
tary lesson TO the workingmen, and TO
some statesmen also
Freedom of Press Involved.
Mr.. Gompers complained bitterly OF the
injunction issued by Justice Gould in
re The Buck stove and Range Com
pany against the American Federation
of Labor" He held that he. as editor
Of the American Federationist. was en-
joined from calling attention 10 the un-
fairness OF the offending firm.
That is an invasion Of the freedom of
the press, and where do you think it will
end?" he cried.
Senator Nelson said he understood the
decree of Justice Gould In the last
ton, considered Independently, was not
an offense. but taken in connection with
an agreement among several persons in
the nature Of conspiracy TO break up
the business Of the Buck Stove and
Range Company, was unlawful.
Wasn't that a species of boycott?"
asked MIR. Nelson.
Yes. replied Mr. Gompers, unhesi-
tatingly: and then he justified the boy
colt as perfectly lawful.
Think where your reasoning leads
you" suggested Mr.. Nelson. Il sympa-
thize with labor; I have had to Sig.
Take an anarchistic newspaper that con-
tinues TO counsel In each issue the as
sassination Of the President Do you
believe II ought 10 be permitted to 20
under the liberty of a free press until
assassination actually occurred?'
Mr. Gompers seemed pained that an
archy should be suggested as having any
relation whatsoever 10 a boycott Il
know you do not imply what others may
who lightly use that term, but everybody
is not Nelson. A certain great man has
referred to me as a wolf infected with
anarchy"
What Labor Is After.
Later Mr. Nelson asked Mr.. Gompers
fatty what kind of legislation he was
looking for.
DO you want law that will permit
you to say to employers. You must not
employ any but union men. or we will
boycott your business and ruin you? Is
that what you want7"
Eve want only what other men enjoy
the right to do and say the lawful things
We wish" replied Mr.. Gompers.