New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-10-27
G0MPERS TO PRESIDENT
REPLY TO KNOX LETTER.
SAYS Dr.. Roosevelt Makes Direct
.1ttGck on Labor.


Rooseyclt's letter Senator Knox in reference to
the application Of the writ of Injunction in labor
disputes Samuel Goupeus. president Of the Ameri-
Federation Labor. in statement ISSUED to-
6ar. Vigorously arraiSns nc President for what
he terms - change position Of n least apparent
friendship hitter. indefensi5lc antagonsm
1t has heen my pleasure. Mr.. Gompers says. ito
heve often had the privilege Of discussing with
President Roosevelt a nu+nber OF the fundamental
questions or right. justice and moral and social
rrlf- Included in these discussions were the In
vasions OF personal rights and human liberty by
the the injunction abuse. II is true that
the President has not always fully agreed with my
contentious but he has never until the publication
o. his latest utterapce hntai. much less charged.
that anything which advocated was lawlesS, I'M
feeling. dcspotic brutal o. wicked; and get the
rights for which the workers OF country con-
tended and whi>a as best ] can. l defend and
advocate. have been wei known him during
The past several years they are when Re nov
50 unjustifahiy undertakes to msrepresent my
work. my motives aInd law abiding citizenship
Surely that opinion WAS not always entertained oy
the President"
Mr Gonlpers says that last January he sent Mi
Roosevelt an Issue Of The american Federation
1T" in which WAS published the chapter, "SoIne'
EQuivocal Rights Of Labor from George W Al
EeI-s book. Moral Overs;rain.
Til, chapter Ct the book Nj G"mpers SAYS
is as keen criticism Of the courts Of the counirS
in their decisions affecting the rights interests
and liberty Of lie workers anything have ever
said written
The President in ackn9wledsins receipt of the
article. sent the following:
The White House.
Washington. January % 1905.
~ Dear MT GomPers: You may be amused 70 know y,
ce Day and MeKenn- am sla4 "a, {sg ~ o5s
yov frr sending he cory Of nc IMAGINE
Tresiien; american federation OF Labor.
Washington. il =
The fact Of the matter is Mr.. Gomrers de-
,-lares that President Roosevelt having made
Injunction Judge Taft the candidate Of the Repub-
lean marty for President and seeing that the
labor vote. which often has been CoTralled,
diverted and perverted by the politicians, is now
aroused and determined deliver its vote;
that the toilers viii not he cajoIed, deceived
trovebeaten has become desperate and angry. and
his anger. by the worst exhibition of derna-
coCism tries fnstil into the employers and
business men the fear their property and
business in danger If square deal implied
~ equality before the law and human freedom, is
accorded the workers with all other citizens.
L is exhibition IF impotent and disap-
Tointuent and awful descent from the dignity
Il the high Office Of the President ~ the United
States, No but himself will be deceived to
The purpose Of Mr.. Roosevelt.
The workers and liberty loving citizens are
aroused never before since 81. The battle cry
for freedom Is again taken NJ. Then il
Union and the abolition black slavery: to
day il is FOR the Union. equal rights and freedom
Cor all"
Nj Gompers insists that the President makes
direct and specific attack upon labor" his
letter TO Senator Knox.
The pretence that the attack is upon me- Is too
thinly yelled TO deceive any one he adds. He
strikes over shoulder the hearts Of the great
rank and file Of tn workers and other liberty loving
citizens Of our country - far 1 concerned
! have neither the inclination nor the desire to
bask sunlight of President Roosevelts
-henevolent assimilation. by which he placates
some by the big stick browbeats others and by his
sophstry hopes 20 fool the masses into supporting
If have invaded human liberty
il they have not undertaken to protect corporate
interests 70 the derrinent Of the people why did
President Roosevelt Characterize Judge Grosscup's
reversal q Judge Landiss so 400 no fine Uron the
Standard OIL Trust as a gross miscarriage of jus
nee
Declaring that the ''veriest tyro of Iayrnan in
MS widest dreams never suggested the abolition
q, the Injunction process" Nj Gompers insists
that labor desires nave the Injunction restored
70 the from which II has been ruthessly di-
rerted. from the protection OF property rights
The invasion Of personal freedom"
PRESIDENTS MESSAGES QUOTED,
He quotes from the Presidents messages to Con
ersss. and declares that they show utter con
fusion Of the entire matter Of injunction in Mr.
Roosevelt's mind He that the decisions
lower courts Great Britain, which We're
reversed by the higher courts there, have been
accepted as The basis for the issuance Of in
functions in the United States Nj Gompers also
insists that tha provisions Of the Pearre and VIII
son bills. advocated by the Federation Of Labor.
are not as broad OF comprehensive in scope as the
British Trades Disputes act
The mere fact continues Mr.. Gompers that
M Roosevelt dencunces proposition as wicked
does not so constitute il; time and circumstances
and party obligation have persuaded him 10 modify
his Judgment and his utterances- Surely il must
bring uncticn 20 him find his unwarranted at
tack s thoroughly appreciated by The New
York Sun which characterizes him for his past
utterances in as severe language that with
which he now attacks me
Referring TO dissenting opinions Of Justice Har-
Ian Justice Moody and many distinguished jurists
and legal authorities the abuse Of the injunc-
don he declares that M Roosevelt has placed
ne IN good company
OF course he says, every one knows that the
President strongly urged every measure which he
advocated and then accepted what his political CD
ponents in his party chose to give him. II is
general knovledse that had more liberal plat
fern prepared for adoption by the Republican con-
yentf-r At Chicago and then accepted what they
doled out. Al know that the nomination Of MI
Sherman for the Presidency was concocted by
Senator Burrows and Genial Uncle Joe Cannon
AZ slap in the face 10 Mr. Roosevelt but the
President because his injunction judge. Mr.. Taft
has been nominated for the Presidency, now not
only swallows whole pot pourri. flt must needs
directly and indirectly attack in the fight
fence Of equality before the law Of the men Of
"a boz with all other citizens and for the estab
lishrlent Of human freedom
NJ C;ompers that the "Pearre Injunction /
bill which Nj Roosevelt attacks, has been before
several Congresses without word OF criticism or
comment from him. and scouts the suggestion that
MI Mitchell and other labor leaders not in |
sympathy with him in his advocacy OF the Pearre /
Wilson Injunction bills.
Frank Morrison and i now 4