Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-09-25
OFFICIALS PUasU:O BY DETECTIVES
Labor Leader Declares He Received
Offer of eribe indirectly from Var
CIeave to Induce Him to Desert HIS
FeIIows-Promised Life Of Comfort
and Lump Sum.
nv Associated PreSS.)

Samuel GOmpcrS. president OF 'hH
American Federation Of Labor. today
introluc. d the name Of former S"cre-
against W. J. VanCleave, president OF
the National Association of Manuiac-
turors. The charges w"r" made as
part of Mr.. GOmper's testimony IN
connection with the proc cdlES'
against himself. Vic" President Nit
chell and Secretary Morrison. of tn"
F. dcration in the Bucks Stove 4
Range cont empt cases.
Mr. GompcrS was at tn time under
cross examination at the hands o. his
attorney. J II. Ralston. In the cas-"
of Mr.. Hearst Mr.. Gomrrrs. III eject
charged that he had supplied the sen
timeu behind the injunction d cree,
while the direct charge was mad"
that Mr.. Van Clcave had had Ny.
Gompers and other Federation Off
Gals Swallowed By detectives, and had
und r,aken to have MI. Gompers brib-
cd to desert the cause of organized
labor and join its enemies.
Says Taft Inspired Proceedings.
Mr.. Ralston's efforts were direct
toward showing counter conspiracy
by the manufacturers to destroy
trades uniOnism. He read the portion
OF MIR Taft's presid initial nomination
acceptance speech bearing on th2 an
,i-iniunction plank, and commenting
upon the extract. Mr.. Gomp"rs said:
III is substantially the basis o.
this injunction suit and tn :" con
tempt proceedings und + tina: injunc-
ton
Mr.. Ralston-"I understand YOU
Thea, il is in reliance upon Mr.. Tar ;
decisions that you are here today.
Court Quoted Taft Iniunctiors.
Mr.. Gompcrs-"Justice Could. in his
opinion so associates and quotes rom
injunctions issued ny Judg- Tart
Will, upon the bench
Mr.. Ralstcn-"JUdse Tai:s stand in
the matter then had the :ndorsem"n;
of the National Association OF Man
ufacturers::'
Mr.. Gompcrs-"ies.
Mr.. Halston asked Mr.. Gompcrs
whether there had been any & Neral
effort to break down organized labor,
and he replied:
Men have been subornei to spy
on their fllow laborers in shops.
factories and mines: to report tn
proceedings Of union meetings: 10 SPY
On the personal conduc; Of worhinei'
after working hours. and to follow
from place to place labor leaders Wis
itinr other cities than their HON =.
Money has also been used TO hrite.
representative labor me7 to cease
their correction with the labor organ
izations and dire: their aciiviji : L.
the National NanufaCtu r"rs A*socla
ton. They have not been or,y ofrr }
brides in money. hat have been ofci-
cd substantial safeguards for tn
turc"
Overturcs from Co Between.
After giving the details Of his owl
pur.; suit nv DETECTIVES. Mr. GompCTs
then told Of being approached IN
NV York by mar named Trough
on Bradcnburg. o. New York. who he
said. had attempted in 1891 10 hrih"
him in tn interest OF Mr. Van Clrave.
He said" Mr. Gompcrs continue"
that he was friendly 10 me-. and h.
thought that MI Van CT ave and nay
self should have a better TTdc5stG1d
ing and offered 20 bring about moe;
Ing b tween vs. 10 establish more
agreeable relations"
Mr.. Comp - stated that he t"'d
UradonburC ina. hc would b. Glad 10
meet Mr.. Van Cl"avc as II had a.
ways been his policy TO encourag'
fri ndly conferences In matters ia
soIving labor disputes
After Mr.. Comp - returned 7"
washingtoa hc said that h" received
several communications from !'-aC"R-
burg. ard stated that this corr zTon'
dcrcr had led 20 an aSr cm"ni f"f a
confer nrc.
TIE Seeing Conference.
Relating 'h" particulars ~ the SC