The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1913-09-11
GOMPERS BEFORE
LOBBY PROBERS
TELLS COMMITTEE THE AIMS
OF FEDERATION OF
LABOR.
Traced the History of Legislation
Enacted for Benefit of Labor
Tells of Political Activity.

WASHINGTON, ID. C., Sept. 10
Samuel Gompers. president OF the
American Federation OF Labor. ap-
peared late to-day as a witness be-
fore the House lobby investigating
committee, beginning an inquiry into
organized labors efforts TO influence
legislation by Congress.
Mr.. Gompers. questioned by his at
torney, Jackson r. Ralston. gave the
committee a detailed statement OF the
aims and purposes OF the American
FEDERATION of Labor. frankly told OF
It's efforts through a Legislative com
mittee TO influence Congress toward
the enactment OF legislation favorable
10 the workers and declared that IN
this EFFORT opposition OF the National
Association of Manufacturers always
had been encountered. The only evt
dence that / and my colleagues ever
have had as To the existence of the Ma
tional Association of Manufacturers -
he added. was vindictive antagonism
10 everything We advocated, no matter
how humane"
At the outset Of his testimony. Mr..
Gompers was asked to state the aims
OF the American Federation of Labor.
1t aims he said. TO relieve the
working people from burdensome long
hours Of toll. to protect them in their
work. protect their lives and health:
TO improve their material. moral. So
Cial and political standing; to bring
about a better condition for the toilers
OF our country as reward for sery-
Ices they render 10 society"
Claimed Credit.
Tracing the history of legislation
/ for the benefit OF labor. Mr.. Gompers
claimed credit on behalf OF the Fed.
eration for the work of legislative
committees in Washington and in
many states OF the union. asserting
that all labor legislation was constant.
ly being urged upon legislative bodies
, through argument by representatives
OF the working people.
7 The witness said the American
/ Manufacturers Association had not
/ always been an anti-Union OF anti
Labor organization
I As a matter OF fact" he said. the
cSational Association Of Manufacturers
was not an antiLabor organization un-
I'll DR.. ID. VI. Parry's declaration in
1903 10 the convention Of that associa-
/ ton at New Orleans Mr. Parry as
president. had his report printed. Il
was a virulent attack on all Organized
lator. That report he never read to
the convention at New Orleans From
that time the association became anti.
Labor AM antiUnion"
| Representative Willis asked Mr.
= Gompers what relation the American
/ Federation OF Labor bore TO the
Knights Of Labor
! The relation Mr. ComrerS fepii.I
/ between q living human organism and
! a corpse
Mr. GomperS wa~ ,-li..d % tho stand
4 ~ The conclusion of the examination ~
7 GU Tor industrial defense uf the Nd-
, t'"nal Association nf Manufacturers
Resumes stand.
NJ a night session Sir Gumperz re
/ sumed the stand. and was asked " hc
] sd the American Federation of Labor
l hfd ever opposed the election of any
3 one 20 congress He said that they had
AMI that the first opposition was di-
! rect~d in 1906 against charles y Lii
B tl'ne Il. 80 Main. Hs added fr4f he
, found when Dc went G. Maine that
y M.Ett- " Mulhsl and Other agents ot
/ we National Nrsociltiou of Manufsc-
! What iid you and Nuihau doin-
| there asked Attorney Eaistuu
u J. mH1 Use th' language - the
/ street said The " itne-s @ found fhti
! ~ Wa~ surtgrd in ,o-raIIinr voters and
I getting them tauked up This system
I hc continued until election d4,.
I F"WtsFr- said The Income uf the
z federation Boo 1879 WIS sgu-. .uuH. th. fsr
/ from membership of more th4H
I 2 oDo.nno workers Ue sold that tho
{ federation spent fsIf- fu fnItfirtf vyork
I ~ the camraign of 1900. and SS.4ca i-
] FOR sreakefa and frr rurfte. u... fs-
! campaign literature ilc rut tn fh.
4 ffru.d detailed statement OF f.reipf-
| AMI eNpsudifurea since tho federation. p
/ i1f fh' political expenditure lu tafu-
I r"iEns after 1910.