New-York tribune., 1909-04-17
LABOR LEADERS HEARD
Mr.. TAFT INTERESTED.
Confers scith Samuel Gompers ana
Others at White House.


,.-t,rg.o, Arril 1s-President Taft listened 10
i. -,,,,he- Of propositions submitted by saInue'
,.,,re-s IN the interests OF labor at a conference
-. white House this afternoon Other labor
headers n-esent were Frank Morrison. John Mitch-
- 7,a. Duncan James O'ConneIl. Max Nor
-.s William Huber. John b Lennon John K Al
-. rose,b Valentine all members Of the
.-c.,.;,. council Of the American Federation ol
r.bor Taho- Commissioner Nell was also present
Mr. Gompers seemed highly pleased win ''Ie
manner in which he and his associates were re-
eeived and said that the President not Only rs
tened attentivey but took part in the discussions
The President refrained. however. from making
anv definite promises. contenting himself WIN say
ing that he would do all that seemed proper ana.
as far as his opportunities would permit ~ouid
seek II smooth out the differences in which labor
men found themselves.
Mr.. C5ompers thanked the President for the ac-
ton of the government tn extending the right OF
asylum 10 political refugees in the Of Rudo-
ritz and Pouren, who were engaged in promul-
eating democratic doctrines in Russia. The
tive council also expressed appreciation Of the at
ttude Of government in giving opportunities for
promoting international peace The government
will send two delegates to the Congress for the
Promotion Of International Peace, to he held in
Chicago on MAY ?. John Mitchell. john r. Lennon
and Samuel Gompers will attend the congress
Mr. C+omPers also took up with Mr.. Taft legisla-
tion affecting labor. especially urging Law regu-
labor. The eight-hour law was also discussed M.
Gompers saying that the law should be extenied
IL would apply TO contractors who do govern
rrent work He also recommended that the Presi
dent include in his message TO Congress next fall
an urgent request for appropriation for factory
inspectors 10 enforce the child labor law in the
District Of Columbia. Nj Taft said he would do
this.
The council complained Of the present status cf
labor organizations since the decision Of the Su-
r1rerne Court in the Danbury hatters' case. Mr.
Gonpers said that seventy-fve men have been
indicted pursuant TO that decision The men as
serted that they only left their work in support
Of other workmen engaged in A strike he also
cor7nlained that labor organizations can be dis
solved under an Of the federal government and
that laboring men individually can be pfoceeueu
against civilly and threefold damages collected
from individuals organizations The injnncuoh
question also discussed.
When the conference closed the President told MS
callers that he would investigate the quesuons
which seemed 10 him require such action anu
would be glad 10 help as far his opportunities
would permit. in arriving at a proper soiuuoh OF
tbe diH7culties in which the working people mo
themselves while~at the same time keeping the IN
terests Of all the people in view He said ne re-
ard-1 an anti-injunction law one of the most
important features Of mis- administration he aoo-
&c that he felt he had made his position clear IN
his spaech of acceptance. and had confirmed tha'
rosition in his inaugural address The President
said he would be glad TO consult further with ule
fiTeS OF organized iaDoI aS ~ e1i''0--
mems etc when bill for the next Congress mas
been framed
With reference 10 convict labor. Mi Gonpers
told the President that organized labor desires only
that this class OF shall be regulated, not pro-
hibiied. ,
President Taft was asked If there was any truth
IN the report that American workngnen. principally
Iaborers belonging American unions, are oelhs
laid of AT the Istllrnus Of Panama, TO make room
for foreigners The President said he had not even
heard Of such report and did not believe 1t could
be true.