New-York tribune., 1916-02-29
GOMPERS FAILS
TO MOVE HOUSE
Congress Unlikely to Ac.
Cept Objections to Fed
eralized Militia.
From The Tribune EureAu. |

Washington, Feb. 2s.-The protest Of
organized labor against the use Of a
Federalized militia for rike-breaking,
as printed exclusively in The Tribune
to-day. caused much comment among
members Of Congress. who arc inclined
TO believe that the objections of Prcsi-
dent Gompcrs Of the American Federa-
tion of Labor will have TO be disr' -
garded.
Army officers shrugged their shoul-
ders and pointed to the testimony OF
the military experts before the Cor
sressionsl committees that the militia
could not be made into an adequate
second line OF defence. In the House
however. were found valiant champions
of the militia, ready TO meet the oh
jections made by Mr.. Gompers.
"Mr. Gompers has no right SAID
Representative Frank l.. Greene. a
member of the Military Affairs Com
mittee, "to object TO the use of militia
or any other .roops for the preserva
tion Of law and order in strike dis
turbances. The first thing that Il
needed is order in the court. Then the
case can he decided on its merits. But
labor leaders cannot conscientiously y
object 70 the preservation of order snc
the protection Of property, even 4
troops arc necessary 10 do II.
personally. | think the civil authorl-
tics should exhaust every means befor %
calling in troops. but law and order
should be maintained. no matter how
many troops are needed. And If the
civil authorities cannot maintain order.
no matter which side is at fault, |
would order in troops.
As for Mr.. Gonpers's objections 70
the use of militia for strike-breaking
after the militia has been federalized,
do not see what difference II would
make. for instance, whether the Feder-
allied militia were sent in or whether
regulars were sent, IS they surely
would be. and have been. whenever the
state authorities were unable 20 cope
with a situation.
at is. OF course. the duty of the civil
authorities to preserve order II they
can. Now. what difference would II
make 10 r. labor leader if strikers were
shot by Jack Smith. who is member OF
the militia and has a Springfield and "a
uniform. or by JACK iather, Johil
Smith. who has a doublebarrelled shot
gun and only a felt hat for uniform
as a member of the sheriff posse
81 am in absolute sympathy with la.
Dor in us efforts By organizing and all
peaceful means 70 better working con-
ditions. Ny father was for years an
officer of the American Brotherhood OF
Locomotive Engineers. But think al
WAYS the best way TO settle any dispute
is with order in the court, and II troops
are necessary to maintain that order,
want the troops there
One phase of Mr.. Gompers's argu-
ment as set forth in The Tribune won
hearty support from large number OF
Representatives. That was his wish 20
place the burden for the increased cost
of preparedness on the rich and not on
the workers. That is the sentiment OF
the Democratic floor leader. Mr.. Kitten :
in. and many others, who say they VIII
vote COR preparedness only on condition
that the extra cost is borne by IN
creases in the supertaxes of the income
leyies and by other Imposts which DO
=. Lo.r an tho small Garner.