Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-04-17
PRESIDENT AND
LABOR LEADERS
vor Two Hours They Discussed
The Problem OF the
WOrkingman.
ALL PHASES WERE GONE OVER
cb,cf Grievance Seemed to he Decision
OF 4. S. supreme Court In
Hnttcrs' Case.

Washington, April ts-President TAFT
t,s,,issed the problem of the working
,,,, for two hours today with tho
,.,,p,bers of the executive council OF the
.,,srican Federation OF Labor. The
,.,,,- leaders. headed by Samuel Com
n.rs called at the white House and,
,,cording 10 Mr.. Gompcrs, found the
..,.si5ent deeply interested. Not only
ala Mr.. Taft give the spokesman OF
,be marty an the time they desired TO
Law their matters before him. but he
5oined In the discussion.
I'm the delegation were representa-
lives OF most Of the trades affiliated
ritb the American Federation, and
among them number of leaders who
.tYbbornIv opposed MI Taft iu the late
occidental campaign. But the greet
inq was cordial to all Mr. Taft told
bIs callers that he would investigate
sueh of the matters as seemed 20 re-
1uire 10 and would Doe glad 90 help in
arriving az a proper solution OF the
5.GicuIuos en- which the working peo-
nla found themselves
MANY PROBLEMS
Phc labor leaders took up with the
rrIs'dent many problems Including the
matter of Injunction and the eight hour
law. convict labor. the recent Indictment
of labor leaders I'm the south for alleged
violations of the sherman ANTITRUST
law the danger of "a dissolution of an
labor organizations under strict iu-
farpfot8tigu OF recent supreme court
decisions. the maintenance of inter
national peace, labor problems on the
Panama canal the right of asylum I'm
this country for political refugees. and
child labor
President Taft told his visitors he
regarded an anti-injunction law MS one
of the most important policies of his
administration He added that Dee felt
ne had made his position clear on the
subject In his speech OF acceptance last
July and had confirmed that position
in his inaugural address. The president
said NE would be glad tu consult further
with representatives Of organized la
b3r
Dr Charles n Nell commissioner Of
labor. was present The members Of
the executive council Who called were
Samuel Gompcrs. Frank Morrison.
James Duncan John Mitchell James
OC0uneu, Max Morris, William Huber
John B. Lennon, John r. Alpine and
Joseph Valentine.
Mr. Gompers told the president that
organized labor solely desired that con-
r|et labor bc regulated. not prohibited.
THE idea les 10 prevent convict labor
from coming into competition with free
HhOr
THE federation leaders urged that the
president ask Congress for an addi-
u1nal appropriation for the enforce
maut of the child labor law I'm the Dis
.r.et Of Columbia
Commissioner Ncill seconded this re-
quest
THE federation council urged the
president to use his efforts. for am OK
tension Of the eight hour law so that
70 will apply 10 contractors and sub
contractors furnishing materials and
fittings for government works.
Mr. Gompers said that both President
Mckinley and President Roosevelt had
favored such an extension.
Mr. Taft promised TO give this mat
tsr special consideration.
COURT DECISIONS.
Coming to the present status Of labor
organizations, under recent decisions
uf the courts, the discussion Widened.
10 conferred about the supreme court de-
DI-ion In the famous hatters case. UNI
der which certain labor union methods
we're declared I'm contraventlon Of the
sherman antitrust law. Mr.. Gompers
told the president that since that de-
cision 90 men had been indicted in New
orleans. IL being alleged that they quit
work in support OF other striking work
men.
Under n further Interpretation Of
that decision said MT Gumpers. "la-
Dor unions can be dissolved by any
move on the part of the federal govern
meut Men can be sentenced to "a year
do prison and iine OF $1,000. p Officers
and members of the union also can be
proceeded against civilly and three
fn.d damages be assessed against them
1 any amount that may be complained
of 10y any person claiming TO have suf-
f0red by reason of men quitting work
or Withholding their patronage"
President TAFT was asked n there was
amy truth IN the report that American
Worlngmen, principally laborers. be-
longing To American unions are being
.ald of In Panama TO make room for
foreigners. The president said he had
not heard Of such a report, and did not
believe 10 could be true