The Washington herald., 1909-04-17
TAFT HEARS FACTS
OF CHILD LABOR
Executive Council, A. F. of L.,
Calls on President.
GOMPERS EMPHASIZES NEEDS
Two More Inspectors May Be En-
plOyed by District Rs Result of
Conference-Chief Executive Agrees
To Attend Unwilling of Monument
at Fort Malone May 10.

What the labor interests demand Of the
administration was told by members or
the executive council OF the American
Federation Of Labor al a conference with
the President yesterday afternoon
That IS, they told the President soTe Of
the things they want. but they did not
discuss the pending strike in Pennsyi-
vania, OF the boycott provision OF the
antitrust law
The chief topic OF conversation was
child labor. and Mr. Gompers and his as
sociates were very plain in putting facts
before the President which. they say.
opened his eyes.
They told him Of the crying need for the
enforcement OF the law in all sections OF
the country. and especially in the District
of Columbia They asked that two more
Inspectors be allowed for the District.
and urged him 10 include this suggestion
in an early message 10 Congress. The
President assured his callers that he was
especially Interested in the child labor
question. and that II two more inspectors
were needed IN the District they could be
employer: that he would give the matter
his personal attention.
No Difficulty Expected.
The appropriation bin for the District
OF Columbia for the current year con-
tanned an item OF s. 900 for two additional
inspectors. but this provision was cut out
by the House. Little influence was
brought to bear upon the members. and
Il is believed there viii be no trouble in
passing such a measure II the Represent
a;ives are told OF the real conditions
The labor leaders also told the Presi-
dent that American laborers were being
discharged IN the Canal zone, and for
eigners substituted IN their places. The
President said that he had not heard OF
any such thing. and that he would have
the matter investigated and corrected I'M
mediately
An appeal was made also 20 thu Presi-
dent for the enforcement Of the eight
hour law IN all government Offices The
labor leaders were especially insistent on
this demand
The meeting OF the President and the
labor leaders was unusually cordial The
visitors did most of the talking. and
when ne had heard their appeals the
President assured them that be was go
ing 10 do whatever he could for them.
IL viii be remembered that during the
campaign President Gompers vas very
bitter toward the President. and wrote
many editorials assaiIing his action while
on the Federal bench OF Ohio. for labor
decisions The President. however. was
Irr-e Of I'D
he will rot swerve from the path he has
mapped out az his course toward organ
ized labor
Members Of the Party.
In the party were Samuel Gompers
president: James Duncan, vice president;
Frank Morrison. secretary; John B. len
non. treasurer: John Mitchell. second vice
president: James O'COnneH. third vice
president: Max Morris. fourth vice presi-
dent. D. a. Hayes. nth vice president;
william =. Huber. sixth vice president:
Joseph F. Valentine, seventh vice presi-
dent; John R. Alpine. eighth vice presi-
dent
The President told a large number Of
Pennsylvania and Virginia citizens who
called on him during the DAY, that he
would attend the unveiling of the monu-
ment al Fort Malone. May 1s. This
monument will be dedicated 20 the Penn
sylvania troops who took part in soe
seige by Gen Grant
The day following, the President Viii
attend the celebration OF the Mecklenburg
Declaration Of Independence in North
! Carolina
Former Senator Fulton. OF Oregon. has
N Af- o. "a on Of
1 appointment as Minister 10 China, 20 the
White House The President earnestly
desires TO appoint Mr.. Fulton 20 this
post. and II was expected that he would
| accept. It IS believed by some politicians
that the refusal was prompted BY the
failure OF Mr.. Fulton 20 be appointed 10
the new judgeship IN oregon The Presi-
dent favored him for this place. but found
II impracticable 10 appoint him
Decision Against Robins.
Oscar Z Robins win not be appointed
surveyor OF the port al Dayton. Ohio
This has been decided by the President
following several conferences with Ohio
ans who came TO Washington to register
their protests against Mr. Robins. He
had the support Of the Republican Or
gauization. but other sources overcame
this strength.
Senator Burton talked 70 the President
not only about a number OF Ohio appoint
ments that are hanging n the air. bat
also about the election In Cleveland next
Tuesday. when his successor in the
House OF Representatives Will be chosen
James B. Cassidy. secretary of the
Rivers and Harbors Committee while bdr.
Burton was its chairman. Is the candi-
date Of the Democrats. while NJ B. Ex-
eel is the Democratic nominee.
The President was asked by Senators
Smoot and Hepburn 10 appoint W H
/ Battling register Of the land Office at
Occur a Alene, Idaho.
James J. Hill, the railroad magnate.
was another caller at the Executive Of
fees. He said he had nothing in par
ticular 70 talk about; that he had simply
! called 10 pay his respects 10 the Presi-
dent.
Representative Dawson Of Iowa, was
another caller. He had with him Charles
A Stewart. a postal inspector Of that
State