The Washington herald., 1916-08-31
COMPERS PLEDGES
AID To TRAINMEN
Says Labor Federation Stands
Behind Employees.

President Samuel Gompers, of the
American Federation OF Labor, at Typo
graphical Temple last night, answered the
attack of Senator Sherman. OF Illinois,
in which the labor leader was termed a
public nuisance
platform and made a brief address. In
which he declared his presence was for
the purpose OF showing his resentment
against the unfair criticism Of the labor
executive.
Before directing his attention to Sen
ator Sherman, Gompers declared that the
organized labor movement was solidly
behind the brotherhoods in their de-
mands for better conditions from the
railroads. I'VE do not want a strike, ''
he said, but II IL comes the American
Federation Is on the line and stands
shoulder to shoulder with the trainmen
in their demand for the eight-hour day
and better working conditions"
Gompers answer to the various
charges Of Senator Sherman was a gen
eral denial. IN the course Of which he
outlined his long service in the cause OF
labor.
Cites Thfrty-nve Year. Service.
Senator Sherman says I am lucky no;
TO have been indicted with the Nc
Namara brothers. am Any man is
lucky, who, being innocent, escapes an
unjust accusation And the Senator is
lucky also from the fact that he has
escaped indictment with the bank loot
ers, freebooters and Industrial plumber
ers whom he so zealously defends" said
Gompers.
with reference to the charge that he
had misrepresented labor, he declared
that he had been actively affiliated with
the labor movement since its inception
In 1881. and II II could be proven by any
overt act, utterance or mtimation that
be had ever carried out other than the
express convictions OF the laboring
masses he would be content 10 plead
guilty to the charge.
Taking up the charge that he had bar
tered in the political market with the
labor vote, Gompers said that he had
three sons. all voters and all union men.
and he had never even attempted TO in
1uence their vote for any candidate, let
alone organized labor as a body The
position Of organized labor in politics
was animated only by the desire to aid
those who aided the cause. he said.
Denies Charge of Grarting
Taking up the charge that he lived on
the blood and sinew Of the working man,
Gompers said that there were over 2.Oo1
O0o affiliated with the labor movement
and the per capita tax was now three
quarters of a cent to support the na-
tional organization. Referring to his own
remuneration from the Federation, he de-
clared that II amounted TO a tax OF Is
of a cent a year on each worker affiliated
with the national body.
He declared he had been attacked be-
fore and that 1t was customary in each
national campaign for some politicians to
turn their fire on the labor executives.
He attacked former President Taft as
the father of intunctions and a man en-
tirely out of sympathy with the laboring
forces.
With reference to the charge he was
only a temporary head Of the labor move
ment, Gompers cited he had been presi-
dent OF the Federation for thirty-two
years. He characterized the language OF
Senator Sherman as not that OF a states
man, Senator or even A gentleman.
President Gompers spoke to an audi
ence that packed the hall and which
demonstrated by frequent applause its
Endorsement OF his administration.