Evening star., 1909-04-17
TALKS WITH LABOR LEADERS
Mr.. TAFT PROMISES TO CON-
SIDER GRIEVANCES.
Members of American Federation
Executive Council Pleased With
Their Reception.

In his conference yesterday afternoon
with President Gompers and the executive
council OF the American Federation OF
Labor President Taft told the labor lead
ers that he regarded the matter OF an lntl-
injunction law as one of the most I'M
portant phases of his administration lie
added that he felt he had made his posi-
tion clear on the subject in his speech OF
acceptance last July at Cincinnati. and
had confirmed that position In his IN
augural address. The President said he
would be glad to consult further with the
representatives of organized labor as to
amendments. etc. when bill for the
next Congress has been framed.
When the conference had reached its
close the President told his callers that
presented which seemed to him to require
such action, and that he would be glad
to help as far as his opportunities would
permit in arriving at proper solution OF
the difficulties in which the working peo-
pie find themselves. while at the same
time keeping the interest of the whole
people in view.
Problems to Be Taken Up.
The labor leaders seemed pleased with
their reception. They took up with the
President an imposing array OF prob
the eight-hour law, convict labor. the re-
cent indictment of labor leaders in the
south for alleged violations of the Sher-
man antitrust law. the danger of a dis
solution CT all labor organizations under
strict Interpretation of recent decisions
by the Supreme Court, the maintenance
of international peace labor problems on
the Panama canal. the adherence to the
~ SOhf af fv, l,ic f4r
ical offenders from other lands and child
labor.
DR.. Charles p NeilI. the government
commissioner of labor, was present
throughout the hearing The members of
the executive council who called were
Samuel Gompers Frank Morrison, James
Duncan, John Mitchell. James O'Connell,
Max Morris. William Huber John b. Len
non, John r. Alpine and Joseph Valentine.
In beginning the interview with the
President, Mr.. Gompers said the council
desired. first of all, to express apprecia-
tion of the action of the government in
standing by the principle of the right of
asylum in the United States for persons
charged with political offenses in other
countries. as exemplified in the recent
cases of Pouren and Roudowitz, the Rus
sian refugees. The council further ex-
pressed its appreciation Of the attitude
of the government in its efforts to extend
opportunities for the maintenance Of in
ternational peace.
Federation Peace Delegates.
The federation, Mr.. Gompers said, will
send four delegates to the congress for
the promotion of international peace, to
be held in Chicago, May 3. The delegates
will be Mr. Gompers. John Mitchell, James
Duncan and John B. Lennon.
With reference to convict law, Mr..
Gompers told the President that organized
labor desires only that this class of labor
shall be regulated, not prohibited. The
idea Is to prevent convict-made goods and
work from coming into competition with
the labor Of free men, The federation
asked that the President request an addi-
tional appropriation from Congress for a
stricter enforcement of the child labor
law in the District of Columbia. Com
missioner Neill seconded this request and
funds sufficient to employ at least two
additional inspectors will be asked for.