The Topeka state journal., 1908-11-18
VOLLEY OF QUESTIONS
Fired at Labor Leaders by Roosevelt
at White House Dinner.

Washington. Nov. 1S.-Subjecting
his guests. who were representatives
of the leading labor organizations of
this county to a rapid fire of questions
President Roosevelt at the dinner
given by him at the White House, en-
deavored to find out what labor wants
from congress and in what way he
could be of assis. ance to the toilers of
the country.
While the president did not COM
init himself to any of the propositions
submitted by the various labor leaders
present it was learned that he sought
a full expression of sentiment from
all of them. LabOr's attitude on
various questions was reiterated, it is
said, and the president listened inter
estedly to each argument presented.
No set speeches were made, the
president merely rising and explain
ing to mis- guests, after the last course
had been served, that he had brought
them together for an interchange of
views of public questions.
Seated at the center of the long
ia bic in the state dining room, which
was beautifully decorated with roses,
the president talked informally with
cabinet officers, members of the United
States supreme court and labor lead
ers.
Nor was the president alone in his
Questioning. He was ably assisted by
his heutenants-Justice Moody. Secre-
tary Straus and Secretary Garfield fire.
quently asking questions as to some of
T. general
preston prevailing among the labor
LADDERS after the dinner. is that the
presidents message to congress will
show some of the flavor of the confer
ence. Questioned about the dinner
after they came out several of the
labor leaders declared they had en-
1oyed themselves immensely at the
presidents table and that they had
partaken of "A bulyy dinner"
One went so far as to confess that he
had enjoyed the candy which was
passed around so much he had stuck
four pieces in his pocket to take home
to his little girl.
He said it was fine to ''eat off plates
having on them the White House seal"
While none of those who had par
taken of the presidents hospitality
would tell exactly what had been said
at table, they declared that the presi-
dent had not committed himself'' on
any of the subjects discussed.
Occasionally the labor leaders would
become involved in a debate which
would terminate in some tangible sug-
gestion being offered. President Roose-
Welt in machine gun questioning COW
cred. it Is said every possible phase of
the labor question.
The labor leaders talked without
reservation and were free to reiterate
their pronounced attitude On some is
sues to which congress has turned an
unwilling ear. But what seemed most
significant of ALL both to the president
and other government officials present,
was the suggestion that congress
should pass a bin of rights into which
all labor examination should be incor-
porated; should create publicity
board whose. purpose would be to in
vestigate and make public the details
of controversies between capital and
labor.
The plea for bill of rights was made
by P. H. Morrissey, grand master of
the Railway Trainmen, while the pub
licfty board idea was advanced by T.
Doland. general secretary-treasurer of
the International Brotherhood of Steam
Shovelers and Dredgemen.
The presidents interest in these two
propositions was keenly and obviously
awakened, but as to his attitude upon
them he was noncommittal Although
many of he speakers averred their op-
position to the boycott and sympathetic
strike propaganda, they urged thai
congress should better define the in
junctive power of the courts, and they
asked for modification of both this
and the Sherman antitrust laws They
also wanted congress to define the ex-
act status of labor organizations in
strikes and whether they should be
permitted to solicit peacefully" Every
angle of labor's demands was covered
but withal there was no plan threshed
out upon which the president may act
with the conviction that his recon-
mendation on some things will be ac-
ceptable to all of the labor interests
represented at the dinner.
Balloon Starts for Siberia.
ff1n Ypos2r y, I,IT