New-York tribune., 1908-09-25
MIKES BRIBERY CHARGE.
GOmpers accuses ". j. Van CIeaUe
AL False, Says Latter.

Washington, Sept 24-Sanuel Gompers. president
Of the American Federation of Labor to-day in
his testimony in the contempt proceedings against
himself. Vice-President Mitchell and Secretary
Morrison OF the federation declared that men who
said they agents OF W. ]. Van CIeaxe. presi-
dent Of the National Association Of Manufacturers
had shadowed him and other federation officials
and attempted to bribe him to desert the cause of
organized labor and join its enemies. His counsel.
in examining Mr.. Gompers. read the portion OF Mr..
Tafts acceptance speech bearing on the anti-n-
junction plank and the labor leader tried make
political capital of it by saying that it sub
stantiaIly the basis for the injunction suit Of
which the contempt proceedings grew. He said
Judge Tafts injunction decisions quoted by
Justice Gould in his rulings.
After telling of being shadowed by detectives. Mr..
Gompers related that in 1907 Broughton Branden-
burg, in New York, offered bring about meet
ing between Mr.. Gompers and Mr.. Van Cieave.
Mr.. Gompers returned 10 Washington and corre-
spondence with Brandenburg led 10 agreement
for a meeting in New York. Gompers was accom-
panied by Vice-Presidents Duncan and Huber TO
New York
After preliminary talk between himself and Bran
denburg the latter disclosed his purpose, saying
that he knew it to be the intention of Mr. Van
Cleave to destroy his (Ciompers's) character, but
that he Brandenburg. had persuaded Van Cleave
that would be better in the interest Of the lat
ter's purposes to make ally OF Gompers and to
prevail upon him to betray the secrets OF the Fed
He said continued GOmpers. that Van Cleave
had agreed this proposition, and he had under
taken to suggest to that I could permit myself
be reelected president of the federation in
der prevent the election of President Dun
can, and that after some little time I could resign
He assured that l would be given a good lump
sum. and that Van Ceave would guarantee me be-
yond question that 1 would be cared for for the
rest OF my life, going far tell me
that the guarantee should be underwritten. said
that I could deliver lectures in opposition TO the
labor movement and that If I did not receive as
much as 5000 or 5000 year. Van Cleave would
make up the difference"
At another meeting Mr.. Gompers said Branden-
burg showed him checks. drafts and vouchers on
official etterheads of the National Association Of
Manufacturers and under the signature of Mr..
Van Cleave, payable TO Brandenburg.
James w. Van Cleave, president of the National
Association of Manufacturers who came here to-
day To have a conference with Daniel Davenport
and James NJ. Baker, counsel for the Bucks Stove
and Range Company of st. Louis late tonight
gave out a statement in reply to the testimony of
Mr.. Gompers. He said:
I have never employed detectives or i1termediar-
the American Federation of Labor. Neither have
/ offered him bribe of any kind have
ever had any connection with the he claims
Swallowed him and offered him bribe. Every ref
erence made therein 0 action my part Is
false and I believe that Mr.. Gompers knew Il TO
be a lie when he made the statements
He seems TO he trying 10 make cheap martyr
himself l never have and will employ
any methods that not straight, square and
above board in my dealings with organized labor
l make this statement without equivocation.