The Detroit times., 1912-08-14

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13.--Follow
ing a bitter debate Ia which Senators
Root and LaFollette passed acrimon
ious words, the senate this afternoon
voted 49 10 10 permit postal EN-
ployes 10 unionize, but TO prohibit the
afflliation OF any of their rganizatins
with others that countenance strikes
or lockouts
The effect of the amendment. IL was
said, win be 10 bar organizations
which cooperate with the American
Federation OF Labor Several SEN
ators. however, held that as the Amer.
lean Federation OF Labor, of Itself,
could not declare a strike, the proyl-
sion would not affect that organizn-
ton.
Postal clerks won a victory in the
adoption OF further amendment
granting them the right TO appeal 10
congress and permission 10 furnish
members with information as to their
work
Senator Smith. dem. ~ CT, con-
tended that no law prevented an
American citizen from joining any or
sanitation II postal employees were
dissatisfied with their compensation,
he shouted, or with the conditions or
service. they had a right 10 give up
their positions at will.
mo organization under which
strike against the government by
postal employees could be arranged
should be tolerated, said Senator
Root. OF New York. No organization
must assume 70 coerce the govern
ment. Striking is not Illegal. but II
{ must not be turned against the pub
: lie interest.
1T will be sorry day for this
country when we grant the right or
government employees to strike. There
would soon be no government"
Senator Sutherland, OF Utah, de-
clared the house provision permit
ting organization was equivalent TO
an invitation for the postal employees
to affiliate with the American Fedora
ton of Labor and that body would
then be able TO call out postal en-
ployes on a sympathetic strike.
An amendment by Senator Jones,
of Washington. requiring that organ
izations - which clerks belong should
not be affiliated with any outside
body, was defeated 20 to 81,
Senator Bourne, OF Oregon, offered
an amendment requiring that organ
azations be not secret and solely for
betterment OF the members
There must be discipline IN the
governments service" Senator Craw-
ford, OF South Dakota, declared, or
there will be destruction OF property,
Another Reed amendment, permit
ting postal employees to organize un
der the limitations imposed by the
nj ~ ha NJ
ed.
Senator LaFollette declared that
the legislation was proposed at the
"Behest OF the postal authorities who
are anxious TO increase their power,
extend their espionage and exercise
more influence over the private az.
fairs OF their subordinates
II was aimed particularly at the
American Federation OF Labor he as
serted.
When Senator Root sought to inter
rogate LaFollette. the latter declared
that he refused to be trapped.
II insist on interrupting until that
remark Is withdrawn shouted Root.
LaFollette continued Root clam
ored angrily, and finally the senator
withdrew the remark.
L@hrOllelJe sdlu stIlkeS were some
times justifiable but none would ever
occur in the government service.
Senator Cummins, or Iowa, declared
that strikes by government employees
would be little less than treason"
LaFollette said he had thousands OF
letters from postal employees, showing
how they had been prosecuted by the
department because they refused 20
abandon organizations disapproyed by
the officials
An amendment by Reed CDem
MOI. prohibiting membership or ami
iation with any organization which
countenances strikes, was adopted
Another amendment that the RICH,
OF any government should not be in
terfered with, was also adopted.
Bourne withdrew his amendments