Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-01-11
A PLEA FOR LABOR
Gompers Wants. Unions Ex-
empt From Sherman Law.
OR. LYMAN ABBOTT HEARD
Editor Of the Outlook Gives His
Views on Trusts.
LIBERTY UNDER THE LAW
General Rule He Would Lay Down
for the Guidance Of Business.
Opposes Dissolution.
LIBERTY UNDER THE Law

Amendment of the Sherman antitrust
law SO that labor organizations will not
come under its provisions was urged be-
fore. the Senate interstate commerce COM
mittee this morning by Samuel Gompers,
president OF the American Federation Of
Labor.
After Mr. Gompers had given his resi-.
dence as New York city. and had ex-
planned that he was "sojourner In WASH
ington because the headquarters Of the
American Federation Of Labor are located
here he proceeded to outline the reason
OF hts appeal to the committee OF the
Senate.
I'VE are interested In securing RELIEF
from the Sherman antitrust law as in
terpreted by the courts" he said, land In
the restoration Of the working people. as
individuals or in associations, to the
status they had before the enactment OF
the law as interpreted by the coIrts.
outlawed by the Courts.
:''As the courts have. held, voluntary as
sociations Of working people are regarded
as combinations under the provisions Of
the law and as amenable to its civil and
penal provisions
Mr.. Gompers told the committee that he
and his ellow-members of the executive
council Of the federation. who accom-
panied him. appeared before the commit
tee by the direction OF the organization
given at its recent convention In Atlanta.
That action was taken by the convention,
he said, after 1t had considered the re-
cent practices with regard to the issu-
ance Of injunctions. which the unions re-
gard as a perversion OF the beneficial pur-
poses of Injunction. because it deals with
property and property rights and not with
persons, and after 1t had considered the
practice in contempt proceedings growing
out Of the alleged abuse OF the Injunction
writ.
Mr.. Gompers outlined the case that
had come before the courts, In which 1t
was held that organizations Of working
people come under the provisions of the
Sherman law: and he went somewhat into
the results Of that ruling.
Under it, he maintained. the govern
ment can begin proceedings for the DISCO
working people; and he cited instances TO
show that such proceedings have already
been started.
DR.. Abbott Gives Views.
DR.. Lyman Abbott. editor Of the Out
look. was the first witness to be heard
by the committee this morning. and he
presented carefully prepared state-
ment outlining his views as to what
should be done by Congress in dealing
with big combinations.
Liberty under law was the general
rule laid down by DR.. Abbott. 49,.
ANY corporation large enough to
exercise control over prices should
be under the regulation Of q govern.
ment commission or bureau" said Dr.
Abbott, land that commission or
bureau should have power either to fix
profits or to fix prices"
Sc;v nt<t <xF
Abbott conceded. 1t would have the same
result of fixing prices. one indirectly and
the other direct.
DR.. Abbott advocated the plan of regu-
lation and not dissolution. in dealing
with the big corporations. If prices are
not fixed. he pointed out. stock and bond
values. dividends and salaries could be
limited, and the temptation to enhance
profits would be taken away.
Failures Of Competition.
Answering questions propounded by
Senator Cummins. DIR. Abbott expressed
doubt that competition would remedy all
the industrial and trade evils that need
correction. Citing the shirt waist factory
fire IN New York last spring. in which
over a: hundred lives were lost, he point
ed out that 1t was maintained by many
that competition in the trade was so
fierce that proper safeguards against
fire--such as iron tables were too ex-
pensive to be installed. Combination, I'M
der government regulation, would have
obviated the disaster, he urged.
Senator Cummins questioned DR.. Alb
bolt as to what he would do with the
Sherman antitrust law under his plan
for government regulation.
II would advise against any amend
ment or repeal of the antitrust law at
the present time he said. 1.-THE coun-
try needs effective legislation to supple
ment 1t. When that legislation has been
perfected it will then be time to consider
what should be done with the antitrust