The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-12-05

rotary of the Chicago Federation OF
Labor. II any instructions went with
that message to Nockels did not
know about 1t. have already stated
| did not know Nockels had gone to
Los Angeles until two days later"
did you. as the head OF American
Federation of Labor, and the man who
raised the money to defend these men
not get any word AS to what was
going on from Nookels7'
Did Not Hear From Nooksas.
II did not hear from Nockels at all
and / have not heard from him yet, y
was the unexpected reply from Com
pers.
vestigation that will restore the con-
hdence Of the public at large In
unionism?"
II do not care to say what intend
to do. but II necessary. organised Ia
Dor can get along without the dear
public at large"
There was defiance in the voice OF
the leader when he answered the
question. and when asked II he did
not consider that the newspapers rep
resenting the public had q right to
know his plans. he added. angrily:
None OF the papers represent any
thing but private interests"
what 10 your attitude toward the
McNamaras now since they have con-
fessed?" was the next question.
They are self-confessed criminals
and are in the custody Of the courts
We are satisfied to let the courts deal
with them"
win you cooperate with the fed
eral authorities In the proposed in
quiry?"
Labor Books Open.
II will answer that by saying that
tho books of the American Federation
of Labor will be placed at the dis
posal Of any competent authority de-
sirous of making an inspection" was
the reply.
How about the records Of the
Structural Iron Workers Union, which
! are alleged to reveal that Me
! Namara had a drawing account OF
| 1000 q month. for which he did not
have to make an accounting"
! Don't ask me about any particular
set OF books" replied Gompers, i'm
patiently. Il said the American Fed
GRAFTON OF Labor would permit iii
accounts and records to be inspected
by any competent authority"
| Have you any reply to make ia
the statement from Walter Drew
|
Association. that thirty men not yet
for completely in crimes similar tc
| those to which the McNamaras have
confessed"
| Gompcrs Makes Pun.
"All l have to say is that think
Mr.. Drew drew on his Imagination
when he made that statement" re-
| piled Gompers. who seemed relieved
and smiled when he realized that he
had made a pun.
Have you at any time during the
last ten years been suspicious thai
union men were responsible for the
crimes that have been committee
against cakers and business Interest,
not friendly to the unions?''
Il have had no information or In.
timation that the unions were guilty,
was the Language used in making thu
reply.
G 'mpets showed the greatest sign.
OF agitation when asked II he hat
contemplated resisning as the officia
leader OF organized labor. He said
II do no. know that 1 want to an.
swer that Question: am not called
| upon to answer 1t by the circum.
stances OF the situation. I was only re-
GENTLY unanimously reelected presi
dent Of the American Federation o,
Labor The result OF that election
represents my credentials"
Gompers was absent from hts hote
| nearly all day and was said to hav.
been in conference with his attorney
In connection with the contempt pro
ceeds growing out of the Buck STOW,
Company suit. He announced to
night he would go to Washington to-
morrow afternoon and return to New
York Wednesday