Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-08-13
RIGHT TO ORGANIZE
Senator Smith Also Thinks
Clerks May Strike.
ANSWERED By Mr.. ROOT
Latter Says Privilege Belongs Only
to Private Employees.
RENEW LA TOILETTE ATTACK
Has Sharp Clash With New York
Statesman During Course
of Debate.
ANSWERED BY Mr.. ROOT
RENEW LA TOILETTE ATTACK

The right of employees of the postal
service to join labor organizations was
the subject Of a fight on the floor of
the Senate today. in which the danger of
strike against the American govern
ment played an important part.
Senator Smith of South Carolina, as
serting the rights of all government en-
ployes to join what organizations they
pleased, met the sharp criticism of Sena-
tor Root of New York and Senator Suth-
erland of Utah. Senator Smith declared
federal employees had a constitutional
from Congress for grievances.
They have rights that are just and
equitable and the privilege of seeking
redress" said Senator Root. But
striking is the privilege of the private
employe, not of the man who assumes
employment in the public service. Do
you believe postal employees have the
right to strike against the govern
ment?" he asked Senator Smith.
Have Right to Quit.
They have the right to quit when
they have not sufficient salary" re-
torted Senator Smith. Yes, they have
the right to strike"
THE next step would be the strike of
the military and naval force and other
government employees" declared Sena-
tor Root. 1.-The next thing we knew
we would have no government"
Senator Smith declared the army and
navy held their employees by contracts of
discipline. Senator Sutherland declared
that Senator Smith would favor leaving
in the postal bill a provision that would
let postal employees affiliate with the
Awe LCala 90 Lob rhnr
they might in the future be called into
sympathetic strike against the gov
ernment
''Why don't you eliminate by legislation
the pernicious elements of the striker re-
tOrted Senator Smith, The American Fed
Grafton of Labor is organized under the
laws Of the United States, and subject
to its restrictions
What Happened in France.
Does the senator know what happened
in France?" asked Senator Sutherland,
when the postal and telegraph en-
ployes struck against the government?
Il do not want to compare the Ameri-
can people with the effervescent spirit of
the people of France" replied Senator
Smith
Senator Crawford declared Senator
Smiths proposal would give the govern
ments approval to postal employees aid
ing sympathetic strikes. which might
menace the governmental service, or of
Does the senator want to break down
every attempt at discipline.'' asked Sen
atoE Crawford of Senator Smith.
THE senator is. in effect, saying that
labor organizations are not fit for govern
ment work." replied Senator Smith.
Amendment Is Defeated.
An amendment by Senator Jones of
Washington which would have prevented
postal employees from joining secret Or
ganizations outside of the department,
was defeated by vote of 81 to 90
The House provision of the postal bill,
on which the fight developed in the Sem
ate. provided that affiliation with a labor
organization or the petitiOnlng OF Con-
gress for redress of grievances, should
not be ground for the removal or reduc-
ton in rank of postal employe. The
Senate committee recommended that it be
stricken out of the bill.
Senator Bristow declared it was un-
wise to limit the power of the Post
Office Department. simply because some
official had abused his discretion.
The welfare of this country. in my
opinion" said he. may some time de-
pend upon the impartiality of govern
ment employees between organized labor
and it's contending forces"
Senator Hoke Smith of Georgia said
the rights of government employees were
fixed by law. An organization of such
employees to affect their rights is an
organization to overthrow law" he said.
Attacked by La Toilette.
When Senator Root was defending the
department as permitting organization of
purely postal bodies, Senator La Toilette
interrupted to correct him and renew his
attack of Yesterday on the department
The Post Office Department has not
only discouraged. but forbidden the or
ganization of railway mail employees" ="
declared Senator La Toilette.
There are organizations that receive
the sanction and approval of the Post
Office Department. but these are ones
| in which the Post Office Department has