The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-09-24
Says Manufacturers Tried
to Induce Him to
Desert Labor.
FOOTSTEPS "DOGGED"
BY DETECTIVES
Mentions Name of James W. Van
Cleaye in Examination in
Washington.

had not only been followed by detec-
tives. but had been offered a large bribc
10 desert the cause of labor, connect
Ing with that charge the name of PresI-
dent James w. Van CIeave, of the Ma
fionaI Association of Manufacturers,
was the sensational declaration made
by President Samuel GOmpers, of the
American Federation of Labor today, in
the contempt proceedings against him
and other federation officials before
Examiner Harper. Incidentally, Mr..
Van Cleave's presence at the national
Republican convention was discussed.
The revelation was made during the
ss-examination of Mr.. Gompers by
Attorney Ralston.
"Have you ever been followed by
detectives" Mr.. Ralston asked.
II have BEEN" he said. "and so have
my colleagues of the executive council
of the federation on many occasions"
''In whose INTEREST,""
AT the instance of Mr.. Van Cleave." )"
"For what purpose?"
For the purpose of bringing to him
such information as might reflect on
my course In the cause of labor"
Followed by sleuth.
Mr.. Gompers then related the par
ticulars of an effort to shadow him.
which he said had occurred in Wash
/ ington in the latter part of the sum-
mer of 1907 and had continued for sew
eral days. He said that he had first
observed q man following him from his
home to his office, and he said that
this proceeding was kept up day and
night for some time, the man accom-
panying him on the street cars and
standing outside his Office until he was
ready to return to his home.
"On one occa sion," he said. "the man
kept closer to me than ordinarily. That
was one evening when / attended a
meeting OF lodge of Elks. He fol-
lowed me to the lodge room, and when
l came out observed he was standing
opposite the building, and again he took
the same car which I boarded TO reach
my home turned upon him and de-
marded TO know why he was following
me and directed him to deslst from do
ing. so. He at first declared that he
was not dogging me, but afterward ad-
mitted that he was doing so. l recog-
nized him and he me as a member OF
the Masonic fraternity.
"He then told me that he would de-
sist from pursuing me and admitted
that he was a detective, snying that
Mr.. Van CIeave had employed him to
dog me-"
Mr.. Gompers said he had been fol-
lowed on other occasions, but at no
time as persstently as then.
"Have you,' Mr.. Ralston asked, "ever
been approached by emissaries of Mr.
Van Cleave, who wanted to bribe
you?"
eyes" responded Mr.. Gompers.
"When and where?" asked Mr. Raj
ston.
A Van CIeave Messenger.
Mr.. Gompers said that in the latter
mart of the summer of 1907. while on
business in New York, he had been ac-
costed by man who gave the name
of Brandenburg, who told him, after
they had had several meetings, that
he had been sent by Mr.. Van Cleave to
offer him money to desert the cause of
labor and betray its secrets.
Mr.. Gompers said Brandenburg had
told him that 1t was Van Cleave's pur-
pose to destroy his (Gompers's) char
acter, but that he. Brandenburg. had
persuaded him that it would be better
to make an ally of Gompers and that,
Van CIeave consenfing, Brandenburg
had proposed TO him. in behaif of Van
CIeayc, that he desert the cause of labor
and accept from BraRdenburG guar
autee of an income of $4,000 or $6,OOO
n year for the remainder of his life.
National Politics Injected.
"Is this the same Mr.. Van Cleave
who recently attained prominence by
reason of an attack on one of the pres
idential candidates."
Mr.. Gompers replied in the affirma-
tive.
"Do you know the attitude of the Ma
tional Manufacturers Association to-
ward President Roosevelt's policy In
favor of Modification of the anti-in-
junction law?" asked Mr.. Ralston, and
MIR. Gompers promptly announced;
s.It is one of hostility"