The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-01-02
American E ed era tion
Takes Up Its Greatest
Battle for Labor.
APPEAL ISSUED
FOR ASSISTANCE
scathing Indictment of stccI
Trust Methods Drawn by
Labor Leaders = Efforts
Will Re Made to Unionize
Plants Throughout
Country.
-fsnecial to rhc Timen. pispateh.


NEW YORK, January Tho Ame-
rican Federation of Labor began tho
new year to-day with an appeal TO its
members for funds to fight the Steel
Trust A circular was sent out from
headquarters in Washington, asking
each Of its 100000 members TO sub
scribe 10 cents, making a total sub
scriptlon of sl54,oOo. This appeal will
be followed by others. and the total
fund 10 be raised is expected to reach
millions.
The appeal Is based on the decision
Of the conference held in Pittsburg
December 10 and II. which was at
tended by President Gompers and the
principal officers of the Federation Of
Labor. the Amalgamatcd Association
o. Iron and steel Workers. the Tin
plate workers Protective Association,
and the Longuhorernen and soeInen's
Union.
scathlng Indictment
Tho circular. which is signed by the
executive committee OF the federation.
charges tho trust with having mace
"deliperete insdious and persistent
agsressions on union labor and with
being engaged in 'conypiracy worthy
of Caesar. a Napoleon. or Bismarck.
| a sainst the institution of unrestricted
production. fair dividends, Just Iegis-
| latlon, an Impartial JUDICIARY aho iie'
and uncorrupted press, an unmanipu-
lated market. and the highest estate
| for labor that production can justify.
! The circular also charges that the
| trust is paying dividends on n half
million dollars OF watered stock, that
a or in every legislative body from
which privilege may be purchased or
| advantage in some form be procured
| that It's Influence upon courts has been
shown by tne radical notifications
Of their unjust injunctions made by
Higher courts" and that ito Influence
over certain newspapers is notorious,
| Its crowning orirninaiity. however
| continues the circular. lis Its bold and
| heartless enserfinG of labor. To dis
arm public Indignation against iks In.
dustrial and social crimes In this re.
! spect, the trust has instituted the SO
| called "profit-sharing" system which
even the slightest examination e
| be transparent deceit through which
4 small minority. of its employees are
I sought to be bribed to help in daily
isweating the vast majority. to prevent
| the others from joining labor organi-
/ cations. and to break down the spirit
| of manliness that has been a cherished
| Characteristic of American labor.
Methods of Trust.
| The steel trusts methods of deal.
Ing with labor lead to playing ono Sc
| OF It's employees against another ii
ruinous competition. to suppressins
| trade agreements, to preventing tn,
| entire body of workers from express
tns their opinion as to the terms o
! the necessarily changing condition,
/ labor
The trade unionists of Amerfc,
have now their choice between lyin,
] down and letting steel trust method
| nave their sway or standing llp an,
arraEins themselves with men VIII
! intend to fight to maintain uninnair.
1 cd the rights. the duties and standard
OF the civilization that America
| founders and prcservers beoueathed \
our generation and time" 3.
inc circular is signed by Sap1ue
i Gompers, Frank Morrison, James Dnn
can, John Mitchell, James O'Connel
i D. a. Hayes, William d. Huber. .Josen
f. Valentine. John r. Alpine. III. B. Per
4 ham and John D. Lennon. Cof1trib,,
4 tions arc to be sent to John william,
House Building, Pittsburg.
The trus: distributed $1,000 oon (,
presents to It's employees at Christina
time and permitted those to whor
presents We're awarded to subscribe /
its stock at the rate of sac a. shar
for the common and s124 a share fo
the preferred.