Evening journal., 1913-01-06

UVIFKA AztO
SPEAKS FOR
IRONWORKERS
Says Conditions Under Which
they Worked Drove Men
to Retaliation
ASKS ENACTMENT OF
CLAYTON LABOR BILL
BY The United Press.

WASHINGTON. Jan. 6-lhe con
scienceless tyranny OF those controll-
ing hours. wages and conditions OF
work and their absolute control OF
legislative and judicial power drove
the structural ironworkers into their
terrible retaliation against society.
This was the bitter summary OF the
dynamite case made today by Presi-
dent Samuel Gompers, OF the Ameri-
can Federation Of Labor-the first
time that the labor leader mas az
TEMPTED to dissect the motives of the /
accused conspirators or 10 discuss
their trial and conviction. II was
made to the Senate judiciary commit
tee as part OF a passionate plea by
1.-THE labor leader for enactment OF the
! Clayton bill regulating the issuance
OF iniunctons in labor disputes. The
labor veteran drew terrible indict-
ment against a society that permits
pursuit of the laborer and wage work
er and then condemns the retaliation
from those harassed as more brutal
and elemental than the harassing OF
the system"
For six yers the fight went on,
Gompers said describing the fight of
the ironworkers. "All Of the forces
of organized society were used against
these men; subtle minds were scnem-
ing and plotting that legal authority
and practice might aid IN their break
ing You say these men resorted
to forbidden methods Of violence and
even sacrificed lives--you condemn
their methods OF fighting as elemental,
brutal? OF any of those who are
guilty. the condemnation is true, but
/ ask yon-were the methods used
by the employers less deadly to hui
manity and freedom DO you think
that one side can play with the forces
of Injustice and tyranny and not lead
to a defensive move on the part OF the
+ other?r
: With voice that tfembled wearily
r. at times, and at others rose high in
langer, Gompers impressively drew a
word picture of the ironworker. and
the battle against his union that has
Be- been waged by the steel construction
s companies
'I would have you ponder" he said,
chow it is said among people profes-
i sing to bef.eve in the brotherhood OF
= Man and the gospel OF love. men and
American citizens come to look upon
"a violence and dynamite terror, as the
only defense left them against the
e lconscienceless tyranny Of those con-
trolling hours, wages and conditions
y of work. That is a terrible charge
r against society
l. LAS to those who counsel harshnesi
d and DENY mercy-are they the men
IS who have fought the fight OF the woric
o of men and conquered without blem'
e ieh to themselves? Are they men who
/ know the world of work and toll, whS
'i have felt the cruelty and heartless
~ against the weaker elements; who
!, have felt the curelty and heartless
i ness of the world of profits where mel
! succeed by climbing over and stand
. ing upon those they have strucl
n down and defeated?'
& Bitterly reviewing the trial OF th
T. dynamite conspirators at lndianapol
lis. Gompers castigated Judge Ander
n son for his alleged Partially showi
sr the prosecution and for his "fatuous
H. remarks i'm sentencing the defendant
r. and in instructing the jury.
II "Regardless of Judge Anderson
IS. assumption Of impartiallty,' Gomper
3. said. angrily, lin declaring that th
ed trial of the dynamiters was not tn
r.. trial of organized labor. the harpie
On who would snatch industrial libert
rs from the hands of the toiler
OF took advantage of this sentiment the
pc had created. and. filled with renew
li ed sense Of virtue again began IN
NJ CRY against those higher up.
:. After sarcastically referring
- Detective William j. Burns, as IN
"redoubtable detective" and quo
inc from a speech Of John Kirby Ji
president Of the National Manuia'
turers Association in which he el
presses the hope that the "high'
IL ups" will be caught. Gompers uttere
iss this def
IRE Il have challenged and now cha
ad llenee any Of our enemies to sho
m where there has been any unlawfl
a conduct or connection, direct or r.
mote, with any violence in conne
ng. ton with any labor controversy
otherwise"
,ul Though threats assail us, he col
,se tinued. though detectives ms
Ied hound us, though charges and insii
,es uations be hurled at US from q
n sides. yet will we fight on for Il
liberty and hetterment OF those wi
r do the worlds work and pay u
n price OF our civilization with the
ess blood and bodies. yea verify wi
'es their very souls"
sic