Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-04-17
TAFT DISCUSSES
LABOR PROBLEMS
PRESIDENT MEETS G0MPERS
AND OTHER LEADERS
ANTl-lNJUNcTloN LAW FAVORED
BY CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Late Decisions of the Courts Strike
at the Existence of Unions--A
Cordial Conference Is
Expected
LEY Associated Press. ]

WASHINGTON, April 16.-President
Taft discussed the problem of the
workingman for two hours today with
the members of the executive council
Of the American Federation of Labor
The labor leaders, headed by Samuel
Gompers, called at the White House
and, according to Mr.. Gompers, found
the president deeply interested. Not
only did Mr.. Taft give the spokesman
of the party all the time they desired
to lay their matters before him, but
he Joined in the discussion.
In the delegation were representa-
tiVes of most of the trades connected
with the American Federation, and
among them leaders who stubbornly
opposed Mr. Taft in the late cam
paign.
But the greeting was cordial to all
The labor leaders took up with the
president many problems, including
the matter of injunction and the eight
hour law, convict labor, the recent IN
dictment of labor leaders in the south
for alleged violation of the Sherman
antitrust law, the danger of dis
solution of all labor organizations un-
der a strict Interpretation or recent
supreme court decisions, th9 malnten-
ance of international peace, LABOR
problems on the Panama canal, the
litical refugees and child labor.
The president told his visitors that he
regarded an anti-injunction law as one
of the most important policies or ms
administration. He added he felt ne
had made his position clear on the sub
ject in his speech of acceptance last
July and had confirmed that position
in his inaugural address.
The president said he would be glad
to consult further with representatives
of organized labor.
Mr.. Gompers told the president that
organized labor desired that CONVEX
labor be regulated, not prohibited.
The idea was to prevent convict labor
coming into competition with free Ia
Dor.
Effect of Court Decisions
The federationists urged the presi-
dent to ask congress for an additional
annronriation for the enforcement of
the child labor law in the District OF
Columbia.
Commissioner Neill seconded this re-
quest.
The federation council urged the
president to use his efforts for an ex-
tension of the eight-hour law so IL
will apply to contractors and sub-con-
tractors furnishing materials and mt
tings for government work
Mr.. Gompers said that both Presi-
dent Mckinley and President Roose-
welt had favored such an extension.
Mr.. Taft promised to give this mat
ter special consideration.
Coming to the present status of labor
organizations, under recent decisions OF
the court, the discussion widened. 1t
centered about the supreme court de-
cision in the famous hatters' case, under
which certain labor union methods were
declared to be in contravention of the
Sherman antitrust law. Mr.. Gompers
told the president that since that de-
cision seVenty-five men had been in
dicted in New Orleans, 1t being alleged
that they quit work in support of other
striking workmen.
"Under a further Interpretation OF
that decision" said Mr.. Gompers, labor
unions can be dissolved by any move
on the part of the federal government.
Men can be sentenced to year in
prison and fine of $4,000. officers and
members of the union also can be pro-
ceeded against, civilly, and threefold
damages be assessed against them IN
any amount that may be complained of
by any person claiming to have suffered
by reason of men quitting work, or
Withholding their patronage"
President Taft was asked If there
was any truth in the report that Amer
lean workingmen, principally laborers
belonging to American unions, were be-
ing laid off in Panama to make room
for foreigners. The president said he
had not heard of such report and did
not believe 1t could be true,