Los Angeles herald., 1908-07-08
GOMPERS AND H0BS0N
SEEK SPECIAL PLANKS

DENVER, July 7.-Immedlately aIter
being called to order at $3.50 O'CLOCK
the platform committee of the Demo
cratic national convention proceeded 10
carry Sjut the wishes of Mr.. Bryan py
declaring Governor Charles M HAS
kell permanent chairman.
The committee then decided to en-
trust the details of the preparation OF
the platform to g. subcommittee OF sew
enteen members, to be appointed by the
chair but before these appointments
were announced the full committee
listened to arguments in support OF
various planks which will be oHereo
for adoption.
The first of the hearings was on the
subject Of the Improvement or the IN.
land waterways. Governor BroWard
oF Florida argued that liberal pro-
nouncenent in favor of the improve
ment of the water courses Of the IN
terror would prove the means of OBTAIN
ing many votes In such states as New
York. Illinois and Ohio, and therefore
urged the proposition as matter OF
practical politics.
Richmond Pearson Hobson, congress-
man from Alabama, presented a pea
for the increase of the navy, and In DO
ing so declared that this country Is IN
Imminent danger of war with Japan.
place during the next presidential ad-
ministration and believing that the
Democratic party twill then be in power,
he said that If It did not make proper
nreparations by additions to the navy
the party will be ground to powder.
At the conclusion Of Hobson's ad-
dress at 7:20 p. m. the committee TOOK
a recess until $3.50 o'clock
Take Up Labor Question
After a recess of two hours for din
ner the committee resumed It's near
ings. taking up the labor question.
Samuel Gompers, president of the
American Federation of Labor; John
Mitchell, and other labor leaders, were
present They presented for the con-
sideration Of the committee the sug-
gestions rendered to the resolutions
committee of the Chicago convention
and asked that they be incorporated In
the platform.
Addressing the committee In support
of the resolutions Mr.. Gompers spoke
of their failure to secure recognition. >,
owe asked for bread and we received
a stone" he said. The Republican IN
junction declaration, he declared, 10
be an Endorsement of 'the existing
abuse OF law" He asked the Democrats
IN "either leave the subject entirely
remedy for the wrongs complained of. :"
ON, the subject OF injunctions Mr.
Gonnpers said the laboring man merely
asked to be regarded as an equai:
1--WE do not ask for special privileges,
he said, but merely for justice ana
equality. We insist that the injunction
he not made an instrument of oppres-
sion"
He contended that the law in its
ordinary operation was SUFFICIENT TO
protect the public against the crime of
iaboring people.
Makes Stirring Address
Mr.. Gompers said that If the Demo-
cratic party would assist In righting
these two wrongs it would make 1t
nossibla for labor to stand with 1t.
| tabor could afford to wait for the
other reforms suggested. IF you will
do what we ask you will electrify our
| hearts," he said, in conclusion, and
we will be with you"
George Fred Williams Of Massachu-
setts called Mr.. Gompers' attention to
the absence in the planks he had sub
mitted of any reference to notice IN
connection with the issuance of tenn
porary injunctions. Mr.. Gompers con-
tended that he had argued against any
use OF preliminary if'junctions in labor
QlSpulSS.
Senator Stone OF Missouri asked Mr.
Gompers whether the original injunc-
ton plank purporting to have beer
drawn by President Roosevelt and Sec
rotary Taft, but which the Republican
convention refused to adopt, would be
satisfactory 10 labor.
"The American Federation Of Labor
not only does not want that declara'
ton. but would be opposed to It," was
% RH,-
"Nor the plank the Republicans
adopted ?" asked Mr.. Stone.
I'VE are opposed to that" was the
reply
Mr.. Gompers was then questioned
closely by many members of the com
n1ittee to bring out specific cases
wherein injunctions would lie under
his plank. and the answers made in
dicated that none would lie agains
| 1ahorers