Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1908-03-27
LABOR RELUCTANT TO
Give UP BOYCOTT
Union Leaders Fight Against
Roosevelt Program Of Anti
Trust Legislation.

Washington, March "details Of the
conference between Seth Low, OF New
York, president Of the civic Federation,
ana Samuel Gompers president OF the
American Federation OF Labor, which are
slowly coming to light indicate that la
hor is not yet committed 70 the legislation
abouf to be urged by President Roosevelt
along the lines Of recommendation by the
Civic Federation. That there is 2 differ
euce of opinion that threatens TO over
turn the program was learned from an
authoritative source. Mr.. Low is said 10
have returned to New York much dis
Outraged. He had expected to be able to
harmouize the points on which the labor
interests. represented BY Mr., Gompers,
failed 80 conform with the program of
the GIVE Federation
The officials of the American Fedora
tiou OF Labor are said 10 be Withholding
their support from the program because
the president feels he cannot indorse Iegis-
lttion that would legalize trade boycotts
by the tabor unions.
The Conference.
The provision of the proposed law ex-
empting labor organizations from the
operations of the Sherman antitrust law
was the medium through which it was in
tended TO secure full Endorsement by the
American Federation Of Labor. At the
conference at the White House, which Mr..
Gompens attended, it appears that organ
lied labor was I'm complete accord with
the program OF the Civic federation. Lat
er. however, Mr.. Gompers conferred with
some OF his associates IL the American
federation and the ~coucensus OF opinion
was that the president in his message to
congress should recognize the right of or
gained labor TO withhold its trade from
a concern whose manner Of conducting
It's bus. ness was inimtcal 70 organized la
Dor.
IT is said thai the president would not
agree to this, and. in fact, that he was
disposed TO urge that boycotts should be
suppressed by legislation which otherwise
va, FAIR to the labor union. 1t was Mr..
Lows mission in calling on Mr.. Gompers
10 show him that the presidents mes
sag, II II was 10 have force, must sc
cDucheG n language in JuNtaposition 10
the decisions Of the supreme court on this
question. No agreement was reached,
aud. in fact, Mr.. Gompers indicated that
he would prefer that the Sherman anti
trust laws should continue to apply to
the labor unions rather than consent to
a program which might effpctually stifie
for all time the use Of tue boycott as a
weapon.
Protest Committee"
That 4 memorial tOrnally protesting
against the iuaction Of congress in the
matter OF legislation in the interest of
organized labor, and clearly setting forth
It's demands with respect thereto. would
be presented 10 the leaders Of that body
villain q few days was perhaps the most
important action taken al yesterdays ses-
sion Of the labor conference. This duty
will deyolye upon Que Of two committees
appointed by President GOmpers termed
the protest committee, which was di-
reCted 20 frame an address to be. pre-
scented 10 those responsible for legislation
in congress. 1t was also decided 10 ask
the leaders III congress to fix upon a time
when il committee from the labor con-
ference can confer with them.
it is understood that the memorial will
r8i} attention to the recent injunction deci-
-tol,- al the supreme OUR against labor
unions and asking that the sherman anti
trust law be 50 amended as to afford re-
lief.
A feature Of the gathering was the pres
eure for the first time IN the history of
labor gatherings Of delegates representing
the Farmers National union and the
brotherhood Of Locomotive Engineers.
which TWO bodies have never affiliated
with the American Federation of Labor
eNrepJ a n iraternal way.