Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-30

1T Is possible that by lies and misrep-
resentations the enemies OF organized >
labor may injure me personally and even
be successful in accomplishing my re-
moval as president of the American Fed
Grafton Of Labor" said Samuel J. Comp
ers to Star reporter today. ''but that
will never change my course I'm battling
for the principles for which stand
1T is not a question of politics with
me. I have no politics. or II I have. they
are the politics of the people.
Il fully expected when took the stand
which l have" said Mr.. Gompers. that
some would disagree with me- I don't
expect the labor world to accept my con-
clusions in every instance. expected
to be criticised, too, in some quarters,
but I did not think that the criticism
would be so unjust az to be contemplate.
I stand for the right Of individual op!n-
| lon.
Denounced a. Infamous Lie.
THE report that have ever said that
} would or could deliver the labor vote
| to any political party is an infamous lie.
Organised labor is not only honest. but
intelligent enough to choose the party
for its support which will best represent
Its interests.
i regard my position as president Of
the American Federation Of Labor as
the most exalted and honorable I'm this
world to which / could ever wish to as
pire 1t Is a sacred trust with which my
fellows have honored me because of my
convictions and the principles which ad-
vocate. They make take that honor away
from me II they like. and / will bow to
their will. But 1t will not prevent me
from fighting for the cause which is my
life's work, just as 1 have in the past
and as propose to Go in the future.
Il want no political office or honor.
have nothing for sale. and don't propose
to begin at this late day by selling my
honor.
What think and what say is from
conscientious conviction that it is truth.
No one can make me sacrifice my honest
conviction.
Labor Not Against Him.
THE report that certain unions Of the
Central Federation Union of New York
unecing 1 believe to be absolutely false.
It has already been denied by Herman
Robinson. secretary and general repre-
sentative of the New York Central Fed
Grafton Union. Maurice Brown. it's treas
urer a socialist and consistently antago-
nistic to both political parties. has also
denied it. don't believe It is worthy Of
notice
ZIONIST plainly and forcefully sets forth
my position. He who runs may read and
understand. Those who have taken issue
with the position therein set forth. not,
understa me. with the position am al
legged to have assumed, are political rene
gades and discredlted outcasts OF labor.
1 do not mean that those who differ with
my opinion are such. but those who have
denounced me and claim that have not
set forth the facts as they are"
Frank H. Hitchcock, republican ma
tional chairman. when asked as to the
truth Of the report that personal cam
paign was to be waged against Samuel
j. Gompers. president Of the American
Federation Of Labor. replied, Nothing
of the kind has sheen arranged"
Federationist Editorial.
The editorial in the American Fedora
ZIONIST for August, to which Mr Com
pers had reference in the above state
ment. covers eighteen pages and dis
cusses at length the republican and
democratic conventions and the plat
forms adopted. In the editorial Mr..
Gompers says in part:
THE president and members OF the
executive council of the American Fed
ration OF Labor attended both the re-
publican and democratic conventions
for the purpose Of presenting labor's
demands. We shall set forth what we
asked and what reply we received in
each instance. We shall endeavor to
make It clear to all upon what issues
the present campaign Is to be fought
and our reasons for urging the support
of the party which incorporated in its
platform labor's rights and grievances.
I'VE now know at first hand the exact
what treatment to expect at their hands
ITO state the case briefly. the national
convention Of the republican party at
Chicago refused to incorporate the de.
maYds Of labor in its platform. and In
stead inserted plank on fnJuncttons
which indorses the existing abuse OF the
Injunction as applied to labor disputes.
''The democratic convention at Denver.
on the other hand. made labors demands
a part Of its platform.
Labor asked the republican convention
to- In essence. declare for the enactment
of a law recognizing human rights and
human freedom. It wholly failed to meet
the requirements Of an intolerable. unjust