The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-05-29
GOMPERS IN HOUSE
TO RUN LABOR GROUP
Members Consult Him While
While Clayton Antitrust
Bill Is Considered.
HE'LL BE ON JOB TO-DAY
Some Of the Labor Men Are IT.
ritated by Democratic Dis
claimer of Exemption.

WASHINGTON, May 2s.-Samuel Com
pers, president OF the American Fedora.
ton OF Labor, was on guard in the House
to-day during the consideration of the
clayton antitrust bill He took seat In
one OF the galleries and was accompanied
by Frank f. Morrison. secretary Of the
Federation, and other members Of the or.
ganlzation.
Mr. Gompers and his colleagues ex-
pected the labor provisions OF the bill to
come up for consideration and they ar
ranged themselves in a position OF van
tage to watch the proceedings.
Some Labor Members Irritnted.
The Administration Spokesman in Con-
sress are so emphatic in their declara-
lions that the amended bill. ms approved
by the Democratic leaders does not ex-
empt the unions from prosecution under
the Sherman law that some OF the labor
members are becoming irritated, but Mr..
Gompers Is satisfied. He expresses conf
dence that the desired exemption is
granted by the bill In Its amended form.
Critics OF the Federstion's president
suggest that II is important TO Mr. Com
pers that he shall be In a position to claim
a victory. They point out that he has
had much trouble In maintaining his lead
ership In the organization in recent years
and that political exigencles within the
federation require that he shall be able
to report that labor has been exempted
from prosecution by the antitrust bill.
1t Is argued that II the labor provi.
sions become law and exemption IL denied
by judicial Interpretation Mr.. Gompers
will be In a position to charge that he
accepted the word OF the Democrats in
good faith but was tricled ny them. In
such n contingency II Is argued that the
censure OF the federation will fall on the
Democratic party and not on Mr.. Com.
pers.
hitter Debate Expected.
Section OF the antitrust bill. as
amended. will probably stir up "A bitter
debate tomorrow. The chances are Il
will be adopted by a substantial majority
The main body Of the Democrats have
been assured that this section does not
exempt labor from prosecutions, but that
the labor leaders think IL does and that
there will be no harm done by members
voting for II.
As the Administration has approved the
section few Democrats will oppose II. The
section likewise will have the support OF
Progresslves and many Republicans.
The complaint voiced by all independent
thinkers here regardless of party. is that
the labor union amendments approved by
President Wilson and the Democratic
leaders are, 10 say the least, most am
biguous AS to their meaning and will re-
quire an Interpretation by the courts at
the very beginning.
II Is pointed out that Il would be very
easy for the President and the Demo-
cratic party to approve an amendment
clearly setting forth the very fact. which
President Wilson and his followers now
maintain. that the pending legislation
does not exempt labor union members
from prosecution under the Sherman law
Independent observers are convinced
that the Wilson Administration is playing
politics with this amendment and has pur-
posely avoided any direct expression
which would remove ali ground for doubt
as to the intention OF Congress on this
subject.