United labor bulletin., 1913-01-16
Gompers Indicts Capital at
Senate Committee Hearing
CONTINUED from page ~

discloses how far afield outside of the
case he went to take another slap at la
bor If ever the time shall come (and
let us hope and work that it never shall
Gomez when government by dynamite
shall be attempted, it will have as its
main cause the theory and policy upon
which is based government by induction
personal government foisted upon our
people instead of a gov ernment by law.
Just what is the social Interpretation
| of the alleged crimes, the trial. and the
, conviction? Whether or not there was
a conspiracy to do violence by some la
Dor men. is there any doubt that there
was a conspiracy by big business to dis
rupt organized labor? Concede, for the
sake OF the argument, that the convicted
men are guilty-and l earnestly trust
| that their appeals may be successful
and upon a new trial their innocence
may be demonstrated-but are the mon
ster industrial corporations and hostile
| employers associations guiltless of con-
| spiracy to destroy the labor organiza-
tions. thereby rendering the workers
helpless to the death-grinding process in
which so many Industries abound? Let
me read you resolution passed by the
United States Steel corporations execu-
| tive committee on June II, 1901, six
weeks after that corporation was organ
| lied, and which the president of that
corporation was instructed to instruct
the presidents of subsidiary companies
to enforce. 1t is as follows:
THAT we are unalterably opposed to
any extension of union labor, and advise
subsidiary companies to take firm posi-
ton when these questions come up, and
say that they are not going to recognize
it-that is, any extension OF unions in
mills where they do not now exist-that
great care should be used to prevent
trouble, and that they promptly report
and confer with this corporation.
President Gompers referred to the in
terview given out by Walter Drew, the
attorney for the National Erectors'
| sociation, subsequent to the conclusion
of the indianapolis trial. Drew is re-
ported to have made the following state
ment:
Now that the dynamiters have been
found guilty, the pressing question of the
hour is, what is the American Federation
of Labor going to do?
This union, the International Associa-
ton of Bridge and Structural Iron Work
ers is a member of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor. Frank M. Ryan is one
of the members of the executive council
of the Federation by virtue of his Office
as president of the union.
Ine entlre executive UOdTu Vi the
union, with the exception of one. has
been found guilty of conspiracy. Is the
American Federation of Labor going to
retain this union in its membership?
Does the Federation think of the duty
devolved upon it by having member of
its family convicted in this fashion,"
In answer to that statement, President
Gompers, in a committee room which
was crowded. and with silence which
| .vA thxa emo
| tators to absorb every infection, closed
his address with these words:
will organized labor repudiate the
Structural Iron Workers unions and
leave them helpless and at the mercy OF
organized capital and Unsuitable, un-
curbed greed for profits? Such course
might win the praise of the pharisaical
and unmercful good. but those with the
love of humanity in their hearts VIII
| Join in the pledge to sustain and
strengthen the Bridge and Structural
! Iron Workers unions.
Men cannot hold place of responsl-
bility and trust; men cannot be In posi-
tions to exert great influence for the
welfare of those intrusted to their Keep
ing. without incurring opposition and en-
countering temptations to betray the
trust But the man who would neglect,
pervert. or betray; who would do ausht
!
tect and advance the rights and inter-
ests intrusted to him, in order to secure
| his own ease. protection and advance
ment is unworthy of confidence or re-
spect Though detectives may hound us,
| though threats be hurled at us, thoush
charges and insinuations assail us from
all sides, yet we will fight-on for the I'D
erty and betterment of those who DO the
worlds work and pay the price OF our
| 1;,,;l; 81 t1rtth hnt
yea, verify, with their very souls. Men
who would ease the weltschmerz must
not fear criticism and opposition, prose
cution or persecution.
Though all censure those whom men
may deem guilty of dynamite conspiracy,
none feel the terrible consequences OF
the Indianapolis trial more keeniy than
the men of organized labor. There have
been added heartache and sorrow to our
already heavy burdens. The men ac-
cused and sentenced cannot suffer the
penalties alone; upon them and all work
ingmen fall the suffering and penalty.
| But what of the conspiracy OF organized
capitalize conspiracy to murder the
| liberty of the toilers, to tear from tnem
the means of protection by which they
have bettered their condition, to leave
them bare and defenseless in the com
petitive struggle? Is not such consp1r-
acy sufficiently dastardly to incur some
odium? Should the conspirators. with
their hands stained with life blood OF
mems ambition, happiness, liberty, De
accorded nothing but honor, power, re-
spectability? Should they be allowed TO
| continue to manipulate the powers Oh
government, the administration of JUS
tice, until the oppressed find the burden
intolerable? More wise 1t is to seek 80
cial justice while yet we may. The judge
who presided at he trial realized one OF
the issues-government by Injunction
lawless, autocratc, irresponsible exer-
else of governmental authority, accord
ing privileges to the strong and denying
| Justice to the weak"
La Belle &c ciEsr. the best union.mads