The Washington times., 1908-11-18
President Regrets Lack of
Free and Easy Talk
Among Guests.
LEADERS CALL
AT WHITE HOUSE
Attorney Gavegan Asks Square
Deal and Quick Hearing
of Disputes.

AS an aftermath 10 the President
labor dinner last night which is
said 10 have been less productive in the
way Of obtaining definite suggestions
than was hoped for by the President,
several labo" leaders dropped in at the
White House today and it is under
stood discussed the dinner. and the
better understanding plan with the
Executive
Among these was Edward J. Gave
gan. attorney for a number of labor
unions Of New York. Although Mr.
Gavegan was uoucommittal as TO the
suggestions made to the President, it is
practically known that they followed
the recommendations he made ia July
last regarding the matter of iHjunctions
Mr.. Gayegan explained that he came
into mOmentary prominence on account
of these suggestions. which were fav-
orably acted upon by many unions
throughout the country
Equal Footing.
Labor needs. according TO Attorney
Gavegan, only the chance to be put
upon an equal footing with everybody
else and given a square deal First
he wants an immediate hearing on the
merits of the controversy, on the theory
that il IL is within the discretion Of d
judge 10 delay the hearing for two or
three weeks. the employer will have
gained his point; he further says that
labor wants the chance to appear in
court with flesh and blood Witnesses,
rather than by afhdavits. Again, he
wants a statute requiring that the trial
judge shall render his opinion on the
matter of fact as soon as the trial is
concluded.
Injunction fights are nothing more
nor less than matters of fact. Why
cannot a Judge pass upon the facts as
soon as the case Is closed, as a jury
does2
Less Judicial Power.
The greatest thing IN obtaining sat
tsfaCtoTy adjudication in the courts of
the country of such disputes, is the
making of the hearing amenable TO
statute rather than to judicial discre-
tion. Prescribe by Statute just whas
shall. and shall not be, and don't leave
so much 70 the discretion of the trial
Judge"
Mr.. Gavegan's attitude may he safely
assumed, as at least portion of the
things intimated TO the President by his
guests, as being especially desired by
labor Although IL is understood that
the labor representatives present did not
talk as fully as the President hoped, and
were especially reticent in their crit
iclsm5 of President GOmpeTs 10 is be-
lieved that such authorities as Mr.. Cav
egan gave the President and lis tabi-
net and judicial guests 20 understand
that immediate legislation, taking care
OF the points outlined above, would do
much TO relieve labor's present dissat-
Among other dinner guests who called
today was Labor Commissioner Nell
and Charles II. Sheriff.. the latter also
a labor union attorney.
Not Free and Easy.
While the dinner was originally plan
ned for the purpose Of getting a fun
expression OF opinion from the labor
leaders of the country as to what their
legislative desires are. It was after
ward learned that there was not the
free and easy conversation which the
President had hoped would prevail He
took occasion, however. to thank the
labor leaders present for the support
which they had given Judge Taft.
Upon the subject of possible legisia-
ton there seemed TO be slight unanimity
among the Presidents guests He uTg-
ed upon them the great necessity OF
getting together and formulating their
demands IN a way which would take
into consideration the fact that there
are other interests to be considered in
making laws.
The President outlined his personal
views at great length on the questions
of boycotts and sympathetic strikes, the
President spoke emphatically, and his
guests understood that there should be
no Interference with peaceful Efforts TO
persuade men not to take the place OF
strikers.