The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-05-15
TAFT rpposes It's Exten-
sion to Government
Employees.
TALKS STRAIGHT
FROM SHOULDER
Believes It Would Create Stu
alton Full Of Danger-Presi-
dent Motors Through Streets
Lined With People, Who
Are Silent on Account of
Mrs. Taft's Illness.

81
to his personal inclinatIons. but in the
belief that 1T would do much TO silence
sensational reports OF the seriousness
OF Mrs Taft's illness. President Taft
came to Harrisburg to-day. He had
intended to spend the night In the
Pennsylvania capital, but instead he
stayed here only three hours and then
left for New York.
In order that there might lie no
misunderstanding Of Mrs. frafts con-
dillon, White House officials issued the
following statement just after the
Presidents train left New York.,
Mrs. TAFT had recurrence this
morning of the nervous trouble which
she suffered two years ago. but in a
less severe form. On account of this
it Is probable she Will NOT return to
Washington for three or four days.
This has caused, change In the Presi-
dents plans for the harrisburg trip,
and he will return TO New York to-
night. DIR. Evan Evans Is In attend
ance. The President probably will re-
turn to Washington to-morrow. unless
there are developments that are en-
tirely UNLOCKED for now"
People Silent.
In the few hours he was here the
President motored through streets
lined with thousands OF people. silent,
for the most part because they had
heard through bulletins posted about
town of Mrs. Taft's sickness; visited
Representative Omsted. OF Pennsyl-
vania. and made q speech to the tenth
biennial convention OF the Brotherhood
OF Railroad Trainmen.
The President was Introduced by
Governor Tener. 1t was a straight
from the shoulder talk the President
made but the delegates seemed TO like
it. He spoke of trades unions. their
good and bad points Int he wound up,
by defining his position In regard to
the affillation with the American Fed
Grafton OF Labor of organizations of
government clerks. The question, he
said. Is most likely to be made an issue
in Congress. 1t presents serious
problem. which the President declared
demanded tile earnest consideration OF
the whole people
II think" said the President, some
persons have gone to the extreme of
holding that there ought to be no
combinations of government employees
permitted ! think. however, that In
all governments the employees are
permitted TO combine and have asso-
Citations for their bettermcnt, but the
proposition now Is that such combIna-
lions should be allowed to affiliate with
trades union organizations made UP of
the employees of private employers, and
TO use the same methods in securing
better terms of employment that are
recognized as lawful and justifahie
In the ordinary trade union; in other
words, that II is entirely proper for
combinations of postal employees and
others to combine in All association to
affiliate with the American Federation
of Labor, and then TO hold in reserve
as an instrument for enforcing their
claims, presented to Congress for In
creased compensation, or the better
ment of terms In other respects, the
boycott and the strike. which are in
struments recognized by the American
Federation OF Labor and supported and
justified by II when used by the trades
unions afiliated In such federation
Full of Danger.
This presents very serious ques-
tion, and one which. If decided in
ployes to strike and use the boycott.
will be full of danger to the govern
ment and the republic.
IL do not think that reasonable
minded trades union men, who are
fully alive to the necessity for vigor-
Gus means to enforce their rights in
their controversies with capital, and
WITH lHelr employers, VIII rail- TO see
the broad difference that exists be-
tween their case. in which they are
contending for the betterment of their
livelihood against the naturally selfish
motives of their employers and that
of the class of government employees
who are privileged not only In the
amount of their compensation, the less
number of hours of their employment
and the greater permanency of tenure,
and who serve the government of all
the people. the very existence of which
will he threatened should they COM
hne together to quit the government
service all at once and paralyze the
beneht. and the equal BENEFITS, that
that government is properly supposed
and held to confer upon the people
at large.
The government employees are
privileged class, whose work is neccs
sary to carry OH the government. and
upon whose entry into the govern
ment service 1t is entirely reasonable
to impose conditions that should not
he and ought not be imposed upon
those who serve private employers. r
The President left here at $3.50 this
afternoon for New York.