The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-05-15
IT IS DIFFERENT,
Taft Holds That Government
Employees Are Not Entitled
To the Same Privileges as Other
Wage Workers.

Harrisburg, Pa, May 15.-Contrary TO
his personal inclinations but in the be-
lief that it would do much to silence
sensational reports of the seriousness
of Mrs. Taft's illness, President Taft
came to Harrisburg yesterday.
He had intended to spend the night
here but instead he remained three
hours and then departed for New York.
White House officials accompanying
the president on his trip to Harrisburg
gave out the following statement while
the train was passing through Ph1ladel-
phia:
Mrs Taft had recurrence this
morning of the nervous trouble which
she suffered two years ago, but In IL
less severe form. On account of this
she probably will not return to WASH
ington for three or four days.
This has caused a change in the
presidents plans for the Harrisburg
trip and he will return to New York to-
night The president probably Will re-
turn to Washington tomorrow unless
there are developments that are entire
" unlocked for now"
In the few hours he was here the
president motored through streets that
were lined with thousands of persons,
silent for the most part because they
had heard through bulletins posted
about town of Mrs. Taft's sickness;
visited Representative Olmstead of
Pennsylvania. for half an hour and
made a speech to several thousand per-
sons.
The speech was delivered to the tenth
biennial convention of the brotherhood
of Railroad Trainmen. The president
was introduced by Governor John K
Tener. 1t was a straight-fromthe -shol-
der talk the president made, but the
delegates seemed to like 1t.
The president kept close to his text
He spoke of trades unions, their good
-
by defining his position in regard to
affiliation with the American Fedora
ton of Labor of organizations of gov
eminent clerks. The question, he said
is most likely to come up in congress
1t presents a serious problem which he
whole people.
An Extreme View.
II think said the president. "some
persons have gone to the extreme oi
holding there ought to be no combina-
tons of government employees permit
ted. think, however. that in all gov
ernments, and 1 have given some ex
animation to the subject, that the gov
eminent employees are permitted 7.
combine and have associations for then
betterment.
1.-The proposition now is that suci
combinations should be allowed to af
filiate with trades union organizations
anu " use Tie Sdulc AnSllO0S VI oSSuA
ing better terms of employment tina
are recognized as lawful and justifiabl'
in the ordinary trade union.
In other words, that it is entirel!
proper for postal employees and othe
TO combine in an association to affiliat
with the American Federation of La
Dor, and then to hold in reserve as al
instrument for enforcing their claim
the boycott and the strike which ar
instruments recognized by the Ameri
can Federation of Labor and supporte,
and justified by it when used by tn
trades unions affiliated in such fedora
ton.
This presents very serious questio
and one which, IL decided in favor of tn
right of government employees to strik
and use the boycott, will be full of dan
ger to the government and the republic.
The government employees of Franc
resorted to it and took the government b
the throat. The executive was entirel
dependent upon the employees for its cor
tinuance.
when those in executive authority RI
fused to acquieSce to the demands, tn
government employees struck and the