The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-09-24
Samuel GOmpers, Head of the
Federation of Labor,
Testifies That He Was App0ach-
ed by Agent of Van Cleave.
TO DESERT THE CAUSE
And Betray the FederatiOn's
Secrets Was the Proposal.
Politics Injected Into Buck
Stove Injunction Hearing.

Washington, Sept 24.-Samuel Com
pers, president of the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor, in the labor con-
tempt hearing here today testified that
he and other labor leaders and been
frequently followed by detectives en-
ployed by James w. Van Cleave. presi-
dent of the National Manufacturers
association. He also said an emissary
of Van Cleave named Brodenburg had
offered him a bribe at a meeting in
New York to desert the cause of labor
and put the Manufacturers association
in possession of its secrets.
National politics was injected into
today's proceedings in the contempt
case against President Gompers and
other American Federation of Labor
officials growing out of the alleged
boycott of the Bucks Stove and Range
company's products and the fedora
tion's subsequent attitude. The cross
examination of President Gompers was
begun by Attorney Ralston, counsel for
the federation, and led into a lively
colloquy in which the National Man
ufacturers' association of which ]. w.
Van Cleave is president. Mr.. Van
Cleave's presence at the Republican
national convention and Judge Taft's
attitude towards injunctions were dis
cussed. Mr. Ralstons questions were
in support of his theory of an organ
lied effort to destroy organized labor.
Mr.. Gompers said he had nothing to
do with the publication of the Fedora
zionist for January, 1908, as charged.
$50 far as you know" he was asked,
has there been any distribution of
We don't patronize list including the
Bucks Stove and Range company since
December %. 1907, when the injunction
decree was issued?"
Mr.. Gompers replied in the negative
and added that not since the issuance
of the decree had he made any effort
to have it disobeyed.
"Have, you consciously violated the
injunction ?" he was asked.
'I have not"
The fact that James w. Van C1eave
was connected with the suit against
the federation officials and with the
Bucks Stove and Range company, the
Stove Founders association and the
National Association of Manufactur-
ers, the last of which he is president
was then brought out. The witness
was then asked:
The Same Van Cleave.
''Is this the same Mr.. Van C1eave
who recently attained prominence by
reason of an attack on one of the
presidential candidates" 2"
Mr. Gompers replied in the affirma-
tive, but before his words could be
noted Mr.. Davenport objected.
"I object to the question as fmma-
teriaI. irrelevant and impertinent and
will ask the court to strike it OUT he
said. Mr. Ralston led the witness to
relate the fact that there is a decided
conflict between the National Asso cia-
ton of Manufacturers and the FEEDER
alton of Labor. Mr.. GomperS told of
the fight by members of the assocla-
ton led by Mr.. Van Cleave to prevent
labor legislation and he read contribu-
tions by Mr.. Van Cleave to :American
dustries," the organ of that associa-
ton. in confirmation of his statement.
Mr.. Gompers also told of the appear
ance of Mr. Van CleaVe before the
national Republican convention at
Chicago, and said that his purpose
there was to prevent the incorporation
of a labor plank in the Republican
platform.
Mr.. Gompers said that 1t was in re-
sponse to the appeal of the manufac-
turers, headed by Mr.. Van Cleave. that
the labor planks had been thrown out.
do you know the attitude of the
National Manufacturers association
towards the attitude of President
Roosevelt in favor of a modification of
the anti-injunction laws?" asked Mr..
Ralston and Mr.. Gompers promptly
answered, 1T is one of hostility
Mr.. Davenport sought to bring out
the fact that the federation also op
posed the presidents position, but Mr..
Gompers explained that the fedora
atoms antagonism was only to the
method proposed, while the National
Manufacturers association opposed
any change.