The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-04-05
Openly Delivers Threat
to Congress in Urging
Bill Amending Sher-
man Law.
Workingmen Fear Right
to Strike Has Been
Lost, Garretson Tells
Committee.

Samuel GOmpers, speaking for or
ganized labor in this country. made.
before the House Committee on Ju-
dietary yesterday afternoon, a threat
which he did not trouble to con
ceal in asking favorable action on
the Hepburn bill amending the Sher- 6
man antitrust act
In the language he used 10 make
his demands members Of the com
mittee had no difficulty in realizing
"a warning that the Iaborers Of the
country are desperate as a result
of present conditions and that the
party responsible for delay in the
enactment Of the Hepburn bill viii
meet with the opposition OF thz
labor vote.
Suppose injunctions are obtained
against us!' exclaimed Gompers.
Suppose our funds are taken from
US by damage suits. Our spirit
cannot be killed The organiza-
ton OF labor has lasted for cen
turtles, and it IS here TO stay. Moth
ing can abolish IL We may be
driven into organizing in secret. but
we VIII never be txrerminated.
And gentlemen os the wisdoml
possessed by members. * this com
mittee know that men whc are al
lowed 10 combine in tae open, free
and unmOlested. are more ca-efuI
and circumspect than those Who ara
driven into secrecy, oathbound Sc
.crecy.
It's Importance Paramount.
IN my Judgment. not only rs ina
president az the American Federation
Of Labor ana as a representative OF the
Workme1 alI wOrkwomen Of this couu-
try. but also as a citizen OF the United
States. no question before Congress-
equals in Importance this proposition
10 amend the Sherman law so as to
give organized labor its rights-rights
that II has enjoyed for a century. IL
ought not 10 be postponed until here-i
after
THE w0rkmen Of this country feel
that they have been outraged by the
sherman law, which has been construed
so as TO interfere with their inherent
right OF going on strike IN the protec-
ton OF their rights and their very lives.
II i Judge the temper Of the workmen
Of this country correctly and I think
do We cannot wait much longer for
relief. Ana IT is certain that We VIII.
hold 20 strict accountability the men
or the parties responsible for delay
in our securing that 20 which we ara.
so plainly entitled"
GOmpers Approves Boycott.
DO you stand I'D for the boycott?'s'
asked Representative LittlefeId. chairs.
man OF the subcommittee in charge =.
the hearings. the man vino has resign.
ed from Congress because. Compsrs!
claims, ne is afraid labor could defeat
him at the polls.
Il do.' said Gompers.
After explaining that the right to-
strike is the only great weapon labor
has IN its struggle for its rights. Comp
ers pointed out that, while he favors
the pending bill as a whole, he would
ike 20 have il amended so as not 20
require Federal registration by the Ia
Dor organizations.
In the course OF his speech. he re-
feTred to an unsuccessful attempt he
made in 1902 to have the Sherman act
amended as he now desires. He remark
ed that LittIeheld might remember II.
Yes" said LittleheId- Il was one o8s
the seven who voted against it,
There were nine corrected Comp
e-s.
GOmpers Threatens Little6eld.
'weII. you know" replied LittleaeId;!
you have the list"
Il have" said Gompers significantly.
and some Of them are not now mem
bers OF Congress"
a B. Garretson. Of Cedar Rapids.
Iowa, representing the railroad unions.
advocated the bill
There IS not a more Iaw-abiding SET
Of men IN tie country than those T.
represent" n said None or US has
ever been in the police court. But
want 70 remind this committee that Il
IS an Unwise thing TO tell any man he
is suddenly and irreparably deprived OF
rights to which he has considered him
self entitled for years and centuries. It
is the part of wisdom 70 do away with
a law that infringes or abJIishes such
rights
Our men are law-abiding mer. but
all Of a sudden they have been put in
a peculiar situation by this Sherman
set. II IS Tor this reason that We
favor this bill. which permits legitimate,
reasonable combination"
What IS a reasonable combination
in restraint OF trade. as mentioned IN
Continued on Page seven)