Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-10-28
LABOR UNION MAN
TAKES GOMPERS TO TASK
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true, then In the name of God will Mr..
Gompers, Mr.. Wilson or someone else
tell US why we have lost good Amer
lean lives in Vera Cruz, and then with
drew, defeated as 1t were, and why our
troops were sent across the southwest
ern border, only to be fired upon, and
many killed by Mexican forces. and
then again withdrawn? Will they tell
us why some 10000 of our people were
called into the United States service
and still kept on the border, away
from their homes. their loved ones and
families? VIII they tell us why we
have been compelled to pay a war tax?
Did either of these gentlemen ever
hear OF government calling to arms
the home-loving, peaceabie citizens Of
their country. and levying a war tax,
all at time when they were at peace
with the world? If we are not at
war, then explain to the thousands of
wives mothers, fathers and friends
why there are so many of our boys on
the Mexican border to-day. and why
the war taY? Tell US, Mr.. Gompers,
pray tell us!
The Labor Vote
do not undertake to advise the
American working man how to vote.
He knows his own mind best, and is
intelligent enough to mark his own bal
lot to the best interest of himself his
family and his fellowman, but as one
who has fought labor's battles, / again
protest against such-I might say
order from Sam" Gompers.
Mr.. Gompers no. doubt has his rea-
sons for making such a statement as
attributed to him through the press, but
l ask the members of the great labor
movement. do you know Mr.. Gompers?
Has he ever taken part in any of your
great struggles-strikes if you will?
Was he ever on the ground floor whom
the guns of the oppression were fired
on you? Was he ever on the picket
line during the early hours of the morn
ing, persuading others to join you in
your struggle for the uplifting of the
human race? Has he ever faced the
ordeal of court trials in defense of la
Dor? Let him answer, and you will find
that the thirty some years during which
he has graced the office of president of
the American Federation of Labor all
he did was to act as its president be-
tween the office of said organization
and New York hotel, except while
playing with the larger politicians at
Washington.
To the labor people of this country
l would say, listen to your national, dis
trict and local officers, follow their ad-
vice and l assure you that you will not
go astray. Keep your organization with
In the bounds of the labor question,
shorter hours, increased pay, and bet
ter working conditions. Then vote for
the man whom in your opinion will do
the greatest good for the greatest num-
Der.
l will agree with Mr.. Gompers in
part OF his letter Wage workers cam
not afford to lose their rights and op-
portunities through negligence and in
action. Meet, discuss the great issue
to be decided on November and cast
your vote as your conscience directs for
labor justice. freedom and humanity,
and when you do that. remember that
Mr.. Wilson and his commander In chief
has as much regard for you as a hum
cry lion would have for that tired out
body of yours should he come in con-
tact with you in the wilds of Africa,
and at the same time forget the appeal
Of our worthy president. Samuel Comp
ers.
JOHN +, GALLAGHER,
EX-Secretary-T District No. 4,
(Anthracite) United Mine Workers of
America.