The Washington herald., 1910-09-14

Samuel Gompers harked back 20 the
years OF his own youth. spent in the
sweat shops OF the New York East Side.
last night. in heart-to-heart talk to
the convention Of the Maryland and Dis
trict Federation Of Labor.
With tears triokling down his cheeks.
and his voice trembling with genuine
emotion. he declared the victory Of the
unorganized cloalSmakers in the recent
strike in Manhattan. is the greatest tri-
umph for labor in the history OF the
world
He moved the union men 20 storms OF
applause that swept across the hall. at
the Eagles Home, Sixth and z streets.
again and again, when he pictured the
battle between labor and capital that con-
vulsed New York City for nine weeks.
Drawing upon his boyhood days and his
observations during the strike. he gave
graphic description OF the dramatic Incl
dents that led to a compromise that does
away with the sweat shop IN New York
for all time
speech Spells Triumph.
In every word OF his speech. in the
intonation OF every phrase. there was
ring oftriumph He asserted that
the American Federation OF Labor sent
their best organizers and their best
brains 10 Gotham 10 help the striking
garment makers. who were not anil
ated with any union.
When President Gompers walked
into the hail. the orchestra played the
Star Spangled Banner" and a casual
observer might have imagined Presi-
dent Taft had arrived. h was greet
ed with tumuits OF cheering.
III ever there was a strike that was
justified by the suffering OF an oppressed
class Of people. the cloak makers strike
In New York was the one" he said.
I cannot attempt 70 picture 20 you the
life led by those people Of the sweat
shops before they resolved 70 throw OF
the yoke that bound them to the cease
less treadmm
1T IS sufficient to say that they left
those towering factories OF the East Side
at 10 O'Clock each night with great bun
dies OF clothing on their heads and until
? or 2.50 in the morning in the crowded
tenements they worked with their wives.
their daughters. and their sons. that they
might report al their factories the next
morning at O'Clock with their tasks
done.
End OF Sweat Shops.
That was the lfe they led. When
they resolved to have better hours and
more pay. the American Federation of
Labor sent its best organizers to their
aid. And when that glorious victory
came. just day before our Labor Day.
the death kneI Of the sweat shop. at
least in that industry. was sounded for
all time.
And yet there are those who charge
us Of the unions with selhshness. with
caring for nothing save our own at
fairs"
President Gompers characterized the
federation as a much misunderstood
and much misrepresented" body. Instead. /
he said. & is working constantly for the |
common good, regardless Of sect, creed. /
or politics
Sam De Nedrey. who presided. called /
upon j Enos Ray, jr.. Democratic can
iidate for Congress from the Fifth
district Of Maryland. During his address !
Mr.. Ray alluded casually TO the Maine |
and the audience applauded vo- /
,iferously.
Robert e. Lee, Maryland attorney for 1
the federation, also talked about politics /
in that State. He spoke Immediately af- 4
ter Mr.. Ray had finished, and he said Il /
didn't make much difference what party
candidates belong to as long as they are
for a square deal
The meeting last night was really a /
smoker. as the business sessions OF the
which is the sixth annual |
were held in the morning and
afternoon.
President COIpOys Speaks.
President John P. Colpoys. Of the wash
ngton Central Labor Union. repeated an
address Of the afternoon last night. call
ng upon the union men TO stand for SUI
frage in the District Of Columbia. Be-
sides giving the delegates a hearty vel
rome. he declared Washington should be
resented, at the Capitol
William Bryan, OF Baltimore. presi-
lent OF the Maryland-District OF Colum-
Dia Federation. presided at the day meet
ngs He called upon a dozen prominent
abor workers for addresses. including
President Gompers and Secretary Frank
both of whom were given ova-
ions
In his annual report President BRYAN
said labor had succeeded in having eleven
bills favorably reported by the Maryland
legislature last term. ten of which were
made laws.
At the afternoon session the following
were appointed:
Credentials. Delegates McAnnin Hill
Key. and Digney; resolutions, Buckley.
)Hagan, and Mattee; finance. Rohman.
Ryan, and Stern; press. Ferguson. Frank.
md Smith; grievance, Walters. Williams
md McKenna; constitution, Williams.
;olpoys. and Zell; labels, Lewis, Schmidt.
md Romm; rules, Romer. Hayden. and
Price; organization, De Nedrey, Waraeld