The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-03-12

e
tho people OF Pennsylvania you imne-
.dately use your Official influence to-
ward this end
Both OF the Pennsylvania Senators
are in New York and arc not expected
to return TO washington until Monday.
1t is the Impression here that Labor
Commissioner Neill will be dispatched
to Philadelphia to make a personal In
vestigation In the strike conditions
for the President.
It Is not known whether the tele-
gram sent to President Taft Is tho
same astthose sent to the Pennsylva-
MIA Senator'S all that could be learned
at the White House being that the
telegram had been referred to Secre-
tary Fagel, who. In turn. was expected
to consult with the Labor Commits
sioncr.
I'm regard to the extension OF the
strike from Philadelphia to the State
OF Pennsylvania or to the country. I
do not want to discuss that subject
for publication at this time said
President Gornpers, OF the American
Federation OF Labor, to-day. when
asked about the possibility Of a State
s.or nationwide strike as e result OF
the PHILADELPHIA labor controversy.
VIII Plan In Secret.
4 Whatever plans We may have fol
the protection Of labor. no continued
II do not know that 1t Is necessary tt
4 publish or proclaim. The forces ar
rayed against labor meet and plan II
secret. They take neither the public
} ror labor into their confidence. WI
will do the best we can to protect thu
rights and interests OF the working
people,
Referring to the actinn of the Phila.
/ delphia authorities yesterday III pro.
i hibitinE the holding OF a mass meeting
/ al the baseball park. Mr.. Gompers said
the men were treated as the cossacks
treat the Russian subjects. rather than
as citizens should be treated In the
!, United States.'' s.;.5
An attempt such as this" he added.
! "to deny and prohibit free assemblago
b and free speech, and wantonly and
ruthlessly and brutally to club men.
J, women and children In the effort to
IeXercfse their right of free speech aud
free assemblaso is bound to react.
"For the moment a corrupt gang
/ such as obtains in Philadelphia may
4 have the upper hand. but that cannot
i last long, not in FREQ America. Phila-
l:delphia corporations and politicians do
mot seem to understand that the great
est safety lies in freedom.
Reviewing the situation which led up
4 to the trouble, Mr.. Gompers said that
everything was done by the men that
could be done with honor to8avoid the
4 strike, adding: i$Sls
Ever since the strike of last June
A OF the street railway men in Philadel-
4 phia, which was adjusted by agree
ment. the company has been engaged
A III multiplying the result OF the strike
4 and the agreement had with%the or
= ganization.
Il Struck to Save Union,
A under the direction OF President
I Kruger. OF the street railway company
!, the strike breaking agencies began L
j import men into Philadelphia. In The
Y course of ten days he discharged nearly
q! 700 OF his old and faithful employees be
!. cause they were members Of the union
!. Tho men saw that their organization
I would be gradually wiped out OF ex
\, istencc. He persisted In his course
land tho man went on strike to main
tain what they had and also to main
81 tain their union. d. N
\ Mayor Reyburn. as the representa-
2 tive OF the oity government, vote
4 against'arbitration nnd took the posi-
ton OF hostility, instead Of remalnln
|5|5impartial IL 1t. Fl