Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-26

Replying to President Roosevelt's let.
ter to Senator Knox in reference to the
application Of the writ Of injunction in
labor disputes. Samuel Gompers, presi-
dent of the American Federation of La
Dor, in a statement issued today, vigor-
ously arraigns the President for what
he terms "a change of position of at
least apparent friendship to bitter indie
fensible antagonism
1T has been my pleasure" Mr.. Com
pers says, Ito have often had the privi-
lege Of discussing with President Roose-
welt a number of the fundamental ques-
tions of right. justice and moral and So
cial uplift. Included in these discussions
| were the invasions of personal rights
and human liberty by the courts in the
injunction abuse. 1t is true that the
President has not always fully agreed
with my contentious, but he has never
until the publication Of his latest utter
anything which l advocated was law
less. unfeeling. despotfc. brutal or
wicked. and yet the rights for which the
workers of our country contend and
which, as best can, I defend and advo-
cate, have been as well known to him
during the past several years as they are
when he now SO unjustifedly undertakes
to misrepresent my work. my motives
ly that opinion was not always enter
tained by the President"
Mr. Gompers says that last February
he sent Mr.. Roosevelt an issue Of the
published the chapter. Some Equivocal
Rights of Labor" from George A. Alger's
book. Moral Overstrain."
The chapter of the book" Mr. Com
pers says. lis as lHen criticism of the
courts of the country in their decisions
affecting the rights, interests and lib
erty of the workers as anything l have
ever said or written.
Sent Copies to Justices.
The President. in acknowledging the
receipt of the article. sent the following:
The White House,
Washington. January -. 1908.
my Dear Mr.. Gompers-You may be
amused to know that l have sent copies
of the Moral Overstrain" to Justices Day
and McKenna. 1 am glad that you were
able to use it in the American Fedora
zionist and thank you for sending me
the copy Of the magazine.
Sincerely yours.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
ITO Mr.. Samuel Gompers.
"'President American Federation Of
Labor. Washington, D. c.
1.-THE fact of the matter Is. Mr.. Com
pers declares. that President Roosevelt.
having made Injunction Judge Taft the
candidate of the republican party for
President, and seeing that the labor vote
which so often has been corraled. diverted.
and perverted by the politicians. Is now
aroused and determined to deliver its own
vote: that the toilers will not be cajoled,
deceived or browbeaten. has become
desperate and angry. and in his anger.
by the worst exhibition Of demagogtsm.
tries to instill into the employers and busi.
ness men the fear that their property and
business are In danger II square deal.
10 lafo th1 loy ov.d
human freedom is accorded to the work
ers with all other citizens. 1t Is an eK-
hibition Of impotent rage and disappoint-
ment, and an awful descent from the
dignity of the high office of the President
of the United States No one but himself
will be deceived as to the purpose Of Mr..
Roosevelt
The workers and liberty loving citi.
zens are aroused as never before since
1861 The battle cry for freedom Is
Union and the abolition of black slavery:
today 1t is for the Union, equal rights and
freedom for all"
Specific Attack on Labor.
Mr.. Gompers insists that the President
makes a direct and specific attack upon
labor." in his letter to Senator Knox.
1.-THE pretense that the attack is upon
me is too thinly veied to deceive any
one" he adds He strikes over my
shoulder at the hearts of the great rank
and file of the workers and other liberty
loving citizens of our country. So far
as l am concerned l have neither the in.
clination nor the desire to bask in the
sunlight OF President Roosevelt's 'benevo-
lent assimilation by which he placates
some by the big stick, browbeats Others
and by his sophistry hopes to fool the
masses into supporting Injunction Judge
Taft.
Senator's Knox's Qualifications
president Roosevelt says Senator Knox
has a peculiar right to discuss the princi-
ples involved in injunctions because he.
as Attorey General, prosecuted a civil
suit for damages to an injured workman.
That Senator Knox was the special coun-
sci of the Pennsylvania railroad and OF
the United States Steel corporation would
indeed qualify him tosdiscuss the inJunc-
ton abuse. but certainly only from the
viewpoint of the friends of corporations
who profit by the abuse Of the injunction
writ. as 1t brings advantage and proft
to corporate greed and power.
III the courts have not invaded Au-