The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1908-09-25
ARE SHADOWED
BY DETECTIVES
GOmperS Says Labor Lead
erS Are Watched.
POLITICS In THE HEARING

Position of Manufacturers Association
in Regard to Anti.lnjunction PIanks
in Platforms of National Parties
Discussed in Connection With Al
legged Contempt in Case Affecting
Stove and Range Company.
Washington, Sept 25.-Samuel Com
pers, president of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor, in the labor contempt
hearing here testified that he and 9th
er labor leaders had been frequently
followed by detectives employed by
James w. Van Cleave, president oi
the National Manufacturers associa
ton. He also said that an emissary
of Van Cleave named Brodenburg had
offered him bribe at a meeting in
New York to desert the cause Of labor
and put the manufacturers associa
tion in possession Of its secrets.
National politics were injected into
the hearing when the cross-examina.
tion of Mr.. Gompers was begun by
Attorney Ralston, counsel for the fed
Cleave was connected with the suit
against the federation officials and
with the Buck stove and Range com.
pany, with the Stove Founders asso
Htn git National
tioR of Manufacturers, of the last of
which he is president, was then
brought out. The witness was then
asked:
is this the same Mr.. Van Cleave
who recently attained prominence by
reason of an attack on one Of the pres.
idential candidates?"
Mr.. Comp rs replied in the afirma-
tive, but before his words could be
noted Mr.. Davenport protested.
Il object to the question as inmate
rial, irreIevSnt and impertinent and
wiH ask the court to strike 1t out" he
said
Mr.. Ralston led the witness to re,
late the fact that there is a decided
conflict between the National Manu-
faeturers' association and the Fedora
tion of Labor. Mr.. Gompers told of
the hght made by the manufacturers
association, led by Mr.. Van Cleave, to
prevent labor legislation and he read
contributions by Mr.. Van Cleave to
American Industries, the organ of that
association, in confirmation of his
statement. Mr.. Gompers also told of
the appearance of Mr.. Van Cleave be-
fore the national Republican conveu-
tion at Chicago and said that his pur-
pose there was to prevent the incor-
poration of labor plank in the Re-
publican platform.
Van Cleave's Appeal Successful.
Mr.. Gompers said that 1t was in re-
sponse to the appeal of the manufac-
turers, headed by Mr.. Van Cleave,
that the labor plank had been thrown
cut.
DO you know the attitude of the
National Manufacturers association
towards the attitude of President
Roosevelt in favor of modification
of the anti-iniunction law" asked Mr..
Ralston, and Mr.. Gompers promptly
announced 'it is one of hostility" Mr..
Davenport sought to bring out the fact
that the federation also opposes the
president position, but Mr.. Gompers
explained that the federation's antag-
onism was only to the method pro-
posed, while the Association Of Manu-
facturers opposed any change.
What" asked Mr.. Ralston. "is the
attitude of the Manufacturers associa-
tfon towards the Injunction planks of
the two political parties?"
Mr.. Gompers replied: "The attitude
ofsthat association, as represented by
Mr.. Van Cleave, is hostile to the anti
Injunction declarations on the part of
the Democratic party at Denver and
one of entire accord with the declara-
tions made by the Republican party
at Chicago"
Mr.. Ralston then quoted from Judge
Tafts speech in accepting the Repub-
hcan nomination for the presidency
as 1t in reliance upon Judge Taft's
decisions that you are here today?"
1T is. Judge Gould quotes from
Judge Taft's opinions in his injunction
degree"
The witness declared that syste-
matic effort had been inaugurated to
destroy organized labor. He said that
Mr.. Van Cieaye had undertaken to
raise fund of S1.600,000 with that
end In view, Notwithstanding Mr.. Van
Cleave had said it was for educational
purposes.