Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-11
THEY CANNOT BEAT Us NOW"

.CT0yrVATr. Dec. I0.-The American
ration OF Labor will support the rail-
s.. r,vftchruen who are ON strike in the
northwest TO the extent Of its powers.
This announcement was made today by
Samuel CT0mpers president OF the fedora
tun. after extended conference with
mink Hawley. president OF the switch
mems Union of North America II Is un-
derstuod 20 menn chat IL the railroad Off
ciala do not concede the demands OF the
strikers the trouble may spread until Il
Involves other great union organizations
IN the railway field.
I'VE viii support the switchmen to the
extent Of our ability both financially and
morally" such was the declaration of Mr..
Gompers at the close Of mis- conference
with Mr. Hawley The labor leader re-
fused to state whether that after full
Investigation he was satisfied the demands
1f the strikers were Just and reasonable.
and that they merited and would receive
the support OF al the unions.
AIr Hawley was iuhiiant over the de-
oiBion OF Mr. GOmpers He ridiculed the
published assertions OF railroad officials
that the strike was practically ended and
said:
"They cannot beat Us now that the
American Federation OF Labor is behind
US"
Coal supply IL short.
According to Mr. Hawley a shortage in
the coal supply in the northwest is inn
minent ON account OF the strike He
stated that such shortage was already
apparent in Minneapolis. where ne said
the public schools were already suffering
from a lack OF coal.
Il am sorry said the switchmen's chief
.that a tie-up in business must result
but when we are fighting for our rights
we cannot afford TO consider these
things"
Previous to the conference Mr.. Gomperz
IN an interview said the switchmen had
not been given due. consideration bg ths
railroads and he wanted sia all he could
70 help them. He would not say whetheg
the strike would spread Mr.. Hawles
would not discuss this phase Of the qnes-
ton. but declared ne would DO all in his
powsr to win the strike for the men now
out
Mr.. Gompera snid this engagement with
Mr. Hawley was not the primary obiec
OF his visit here. He came here to try Il
harmoniSe dlfflCult.es between the rank
of the Brotherhood OF Painters. Decorator
and Paper Hangers. which organization
is now holding rs convention in this city
From here he goUs 10 Pittsburs Jonignt
where the executive council OF the Amer
lean Federation of Labor will hold con
fersuce tomorrow with the national OF
ncers OF the Analgnmated Iron. Steel ant
Tin Workers. which organization is a
present Involved in a bitter r fEhr with tn
United States Steel corporation
Threnfened by strike.
ST. PAUL. Dec I0--Au parties. interesto
ia the switchmen strike in lhe. northgges
are awaiting developments OF the confer
ence today between President E5awiey O
the Swltohmen's union and President Com
pers OF the American Federation Of Labo
in Cincinnati.
Thi d Vice President Harshberger OF IN
union says thar before the leaders viii al
low the men to be beaten all OF the switch
men west OF Buffalo will be called cut.
Last night a2out fifty strIkebreaksr.
many OF them from New York and Chi
caEo. started 10 make trouble at the Unio
station because they were denied to b
taken back 10 the places from which the
came. Police were called but no arrest
r wero made. The men were finally shippe
TO Chicago.