New-York tribune., 1909-02-11
TILT AT LABOR COUNCIL
GOMPERS ANGERS STRAUS.
Secretary Warmly Denies Sending
ont Strike Breakers.
IRON Ths Tribune RureAu.I

WASHINGTON Feb IA heated passage Of words
between Secretary straus and T. v PoWderly' on
one side and Samuel Gompers, president OF Ino
American Federation of Labor, on the other enhV-
ened the afternoon session of Council Of Labor
which began its first meeting to-day at the Depart
ment Of Commerce and Labor In the course OF On
address Mr.. Gompers intimated that the DIVISION OF
information the bureau which is attempting 10 ho
work for the unemployed. had been used as
strike breaker" Secretary straus sprang to MS
feet and denied IN most emphatic language that II
was either the purpose the practice OF the depart
ment send 20 take the places OF strikeTs ana
dehed Mr.. Gompers any one else to prove thas
such q course had been followed. Mn Powderiy'
who IS chief Of the division Of information tnen
confronted Mr.. Gompers declaring that If he could
bring any proof TO substantiats his ins1nuations
he would resign his Office
The books Of the division of information are
open TO the world cried Mr.. Powderly. I'VE have
nothing to conceal Mr. Goupers or any other man
that wants to know can come and examine our rec
ords and what have done from the first
minute that Office was established"
Mr. Straus also requested Mr.. Gonpers to appoint
a committee from the American Federation Of
Labor to examine the work done by the division
Of information and the bureau OF immigration in
general. Mr.. Gompers did not accept the challenge
The meeting produced general discussion on
various subjects Of interest TO labor. Mr.. Straus
explained in detail the plans he had for the relief
Of the unemployed, for the prevention of immgra-
tion Of aliens brought here under false pretences
and for the extension OF the interstate commerce
law that It will include government inspection
Of locomotive boilers He also presented the draft
OF an amendment to the law governing the division
Of information which viii. in his opinion, increase
the usefulness of the department. Other problems
discussed. as suggested by Secretary Straus, in
cluded legislation TO extend the steamboat inspec-
ton service and greater effectiveness of the Nobel
Peace Prize which President Roosevelt devoted
peace.
paid tribute President Roosevelt for his atti-
tude toward labor in general and explained the
desire OF the department to cooperate with the
wage eaTners and employers OF labor. He sug-
gested that the labor leaders make formal state
ment Of conditions in the United States for dstri
button through United States consuls In foreign
countries. This. he believed, would discourage
that type Of immigration for which there is no
room in this country.
The speakers included Mr.. Gonpers, Grand Chief
Stone of the Locomotive Engineers, William F.
Yates president Of the Marine Engineers Beneh-
cial Association; John Mitchell ex-president of the
United Mine Workers OF America. and Timothy
Healy. president Of the International Brotherhood
OF Stationary Engineers
Mr.. Stone favored the inspection OF locomotive
boilers, as did Mr.. Yates.
Dir. Gompers declared that nesriy two million
laborers who previous to October, 1907 had been
employed were walking the strests- Con-
gress he said. had provided instant relief for the
Italian sufferers by the earthquake when relief
asked fer American laborers 1t Is styled 'pater
nalism' and receives no consideration.
John Mitchell said that from two million to i've
million men in this country are unemployed He
discussed the problem OF immigration. pointing out
that too often these men who arrived IN the coun-
try got job. while the man who had spent his
me b =, con,sTgaes S cae sf fbe Wits Hos. and
met the President.