The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-11
Opposed by Manufacturers
Association at Every
Point, He Says
EXPLAINS AIMS
OF BODY HE HEADS
Claims Credit for Remedial Legisla-
tion in Many States-Examinati
of James f. Emery Com
cluded by the Committee

Washington. September lo-Samuel
Gompers. president of the American Fed
Grafton Of Labor. appeared late today as
witness before the House lobby inves-
tieating committee. beginning an inquiry
into organized labors efforts to influence
legislation by Congress.
Mr.. Gompers questioned by his attor-
ney, jackson H. Ralston. gave the COM
mittee a detailed statement of the aims
and purposes Of the American Fedora
tion Of Labor frankly told of its efforts
through legislative committee to innn-
ence Congress toward the enactment ot
legislation favorable to the workers. and
declared that in this effort opposition ~
the National Association of Manufaetur-
ers always has been encountered.
The only evidence that I and nv col
Leagues ever have had as to the existence
of the National Association of Manufac-
tnrers, be added. "was vindiotive am
tasonism to everything We advocated, no
matter how humane"
At the outset Of his testimony AR.
Gcmpefs WAS asked to state the aims af
the Aneroan Federation of Labor.
ut aims he said, ITO relieve the work
Ing people from burdensome long hours Of
tell to protect them IN their work pro-
teet their lives ana health; to improve
their material moral. social and political
staEding; to bring about a better copdi-
tion for the toilers Of our country. as a
reward for services they render to So
eiety"
Traces History of Legislation
Tracing the history of legislation for the
benefit of labor, Mr. Gompers claimed
credit On behalf of the federation for the
work of legislative committees In Wash
ineton and in many states of the union.
asserting that all labor legislation con-
stantly was being urged upon legislative
bodies through argument by representa-
tives Of the working people.
The Witness said the American Manu-.
faoturers' association had not always
been an anti-union anti-labor organi-
zation
AS a matter OF fact, he said. the Na-
tional Association ct Manufacturers ~as
not an anti-labor organization until Mr.
ID. NJ. Parry's declaration Ia 1909 To the
convention of the association at New Or
leans MI Parry as president, had his
report printed. II was virulent attack
on all organized labor That report he
rever read to the convention at New Or
lears. From that time the association
became anti-lahor and anti-union''
Representative Wills asked Mr. Com
pers what relation the American Fed
Itttfi faI Is.l L
Labor.
"rhe relation" MIR Gompers replied
between living human organism and a
corpse"
Mr. Gompers was called to the stand as
the conclusion oil the examination Of
James e. Emery counsel for the council
for Industrial defense of the National AS
sociation of Manufacturers. who said
when asked wbG. he now thought of tae
W orkmens Protective association or
ganized by Martin NJ. Mulhall
Il think 1t Sas a political Falstaffian
army whose members increased according
to the Imagination of the commander In
chief"
Opposed Littlefield's Election
At a night session Mr.. Gorspers re-
sumed the stand and was asked If he
and the American Federation nf Labor
had ever opposed the election Of amy
and that the first opposition was d.
rected in 1906 against Charles Il. Lit
tlefieId of Maine. He added that he
found when he went to Maine that
Martin NJ. Mulhall and other agents OF
the National Association of sianufac-
turers had preceded him
What did you find Mulhall doing
there%' asked Attorney Ralston.
"1f I may use the language of the
street" said the witness. Il found that
he was engaged In corralling voters
and getting them tanked up. This sys-
tenn he continued until election day. One
day friend of mine came to me and
asked me If I knew how much whisky
and beer were being housed in halls
used by Mulhall for Mr. Total Ah-
stainer Littlefield in his district | said
| did not. and he said he would show
me. SO | went with my riend one
night and he took me up tive flights
Of stairs in a building where saw A
large number of men hanging or sit
ting around in greater or lesser degrees
of inebriety. None of them seemed 10
know me. We seemed to nave the
entree They all seemed TO imagine
that | cared to indulge with them and
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