The Washington times., 1914-11-12
CONVENTION CLASH
AVERTED BY GOMPERS
Head of Federation Pours Oil
o Troubled Waters of
Debate.
By John EDWIN NEvIN.

By JOHN EDWIN NEVIN.
PHILADELPHIA. Nov. l2.-President
Samuel Gompers, of the American Fed
Grafton OF Labor, prevented what prom
ised to be a serious mix-up at today's
session of the American Federation of
Labor. The fraternal delegates repre-
senting the American Federation of
Churches and the Federation of Catho-
lie Societies, in the course of their ad-
dresses had severely criticised social
ism, despite the heavy percentage of
Socialists represented.
Walter George smith, representing the
Catholic Federation, also stirred the ire
Of many of the delegates, especially
those representing the miners, by his
veiled references to the Colorado and
West Virginia strikes. He declared that
labor has received a serious black eve
through open violence in connection
with strikes, and expressed the opinion
that under no circumstances was vio-
lence justifiable. It was his opinion
that IL labor would always turn the
Der O i"fe i"u'H 'e
Gompers Into the Breach.
Several delegates were on their feet
% secure recognition when President
Gompers poured oil on the troubled
waters by himself taking up the cud-
gols.
I believe in peace" said Gompers,
snd deplore violence No man in this
country will go farther than i will in
trying to settle our difficulties by
amicable measures But l feel that It
of q
there comes time in the affairs of la
Dor when meekly to bow to oppressive
demands upon 1t, is to consent to the
riveting upon the wrists of industry
Of the shackles of oppression
Wild applause and cries of Soak him
again" went up from every corner of
the hall, but President Gompers, his
hand uplifted, said:
All Hope For Peace.
Il will hit no one. But L believe that
as the representative of this organiza-
tion 1 should make its attitude plain.
We Of the Federation of Labor deplore
strikes. We greatly desire industrial
peace. And We have always made the
utmost concessions to secure peace and
to gain our rights from our employers.
But in time of peace We must prepare
for war. We must always be ready for
any event that may transpire
Labor are open ones. We welcome the
criticisms Of our friends and of our
foes. We are going on with our work
to help the man and woman of labor,
whether he is represented here or not.
Ii is our duty to help ali alike, to or
ganiZe the unorganized and to show the
newly arrived immigrant that his hope
is within the fold of organized labor
The great coal industry, the steel in
dustry. all employment controlled by
10 NJ L.
And thank our fraternal delegates for
all suggestions that will aid us, but
they must realize that we know the mil
lennium is still to come
Equal Justice For All.
Outside of the Gompers speech the
greatest enthusiasm Of the day was
p. Walsh, of Kansas City, chairman
Of the Federal commission on indus
trial relations. He stated that the COM
mission, in its report to Congress to
be made next month, will state that
the majority of the employers of the
United States are in favor of collective
bargaining with their employees
The Federal Industrial committion,
Walsh said, wants to aid in bringing
about a better understanding between
capital and labor, and he dec AIRED that
1t realized the importance Of its task.
We want to secure equal justice to
ALL" continued Walsh. I'VE are hold
ing the balance of power between or
sanlzed capital and organized labor.
But We have even a greater task
than that. We are also hearing the
voice of the disinherited of Gods
creatures, the exploited man and the
exploited woman. And still more we
have and are endeavoIing to have ar
dculated the stified sob Of the ex-
plotted child Of the factories and of the
mills
All oWuld Have a Say.
NO man Of intelligence will ever be
satisfied until he is given the full prod
uct of his own toll. That sentiment will
endure. And in that connection I can
say that our committee will tell Con-
gress that both employer and employe
now favor collective bargaining.
Collective bargaining as we under
stand 1t is that machinery devised by
students and distinterested men which
would make II impossible for the we'll
fed to drive hard bargains with hun
cry men. Every man who tolls should
have compelling voice on the condi-
tons under which he works.
All the Government can do is to
unshackle industry. All that law can do
Is TO provide Justice from man to man
ana between man and man. After that
You must work out the answers to the
other problems yourselves
Appeal For Women Workers.
Miss Mary Drier, of Brooklyn, head |
or the Women's Trades Union League, |
for aid in organizing the wom- |
en- workers Of the country. In doing so !
she warned the delegates that male la
Dor IN me United States is in serious /
danger today.
For the first time in the history of