New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-11-22
Continued from page !

islatively-I need not say judicially;
they already have done so.
1T is their right to fight against US
But you men of wealth, be careful no"
far YOU 60. for there is limit TO hu'
man endurance! You throw down the
gauntlet and well accept the challenge
When the time comes il will be lay on
Macduf, and damned be he who FIRST
cries hold. enough
Then. turning to the four brother
hood chiefs sitting behind him, he con-
cluded dramatically:
"You may count on the men OF labor
in this land. You will find that they
ring true and stand true!"
Foresee Bitter Struggle
Officials here who have paid careful
attention 10 the doings of labor and
employers recently regard to-day's de-
velopments as of farreaching signin-
canoe II is believed that the lines arc
drawing tighter for a general strug-
gle. On the railroad question in par.
ticular. the announced intentions OF
both the American Federation Of Labor
and of the brotherhoods are believed
to portend bitter struggle at the com
ing session Of Congress.
Interest to-day in the railroad-labor
situation shifted to Baltimore, when
the brotherhood chiefs motored over
TO the Federations convention. The
delegates and Mr.. Gompers would have
been better pleased II they had come
10 join the Federation. but the recep-
ton was all that could be desired.
The informal alliance effected on sun
day between the brotherhoods and the
railroad department of the A. +. OF l.;
was the only step actually taken toward
actual utilization. but the promises for
the future on both sides were glowing
The only limitation to mutual sup,
port and cooperation was that placed
upon the arrangement by Mr.. Lee, VINO
said:
eve are nearer to-day, in my opin-
ion. TO utilization with the A. f. OF l..
than was ever dreamed Of before. But
| never yet had controversy thst
was not willing to submit to sam
Gompers TO decide it. 1t is absolutely
necessary for US who are organized 10
get together. and | say that we shall
20 10 the limit TO obtain better condi-
lions. particularly for the men on lines
that the railroads will not now permit
to organize.
1--WE will not strike or go out 70
help them. but we will use our best
efforts and lend our support TO make
the railroads give them better con
ditions."
Promises Federation's Aid
Mr.. Gompers in reply to the four
brotherhood leaders said:
you're right welcome. We wish
YOU were here absolutely as other dele
gates TO the convention are here. II
is a great comfort TO hear you say that
the time is not far distant when the
four great brotherhoods will be part
OF the American Federation of Labor.
Let me assure you that self-govern-
ment is guaranteed 10 every organiza-
ton Of the A. F. of l., and there is no
spirit of compulsion tolerated in our
organization. But it is sometimes
necessary for organizations OF labor to
show that they have teeth and claws!
at is exceedingly peculiar that
those who are antagonistic to the
Adamson law predicate their action on
the statement that it is not an eight
hour law. Since when have they be-
come advocates of an eight-hour work
day? We expect that the railroad
brotherhoods will, on the first day of
January, inaugurate an eight-hour
workday. And | can truly say to you
that, whatever may arise, whatever be-
tides you, you have the undivided sup
port Of every man and woman repre-
scented in the American Federation OF
Labor"
All four brotherhood chiefs defend
ed the Adsmson law. Lee frankly said
that it WAS not exactly what they had
asked for.
Not Satisfied with Law
1--WE didn't ask for the law," he said.
1T is not what we wanted and not
what the railroads wanted, but as good
citizens we agreed to waive the time
and half demand and accept the law,
bowling to the will of Congress. We
still believe the law gives us an eight
hour day. We told the railroad ex-
ecutlves that, if they thought their
legal departments more powerful than
the President We would be interested
to see what happened. The railroads
are not only unwilling to abide by the
law. They think they are greater than
the President and the government"
When II came TO the question Of
compulsory arbitration and investiga-
ton, however, Mr. Lee had the follow
ing TO say:
Il don't believe the Congress Of the
United States has power to pass a
compulsory arbitration law. But We