Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-07-07
Stormy Scene Staged in New
York When Labor Is Charged
With st. Louis Riots.
TEDDY'S ACTS BRING JEERS
Demonstration Features Off
cial Welcome of Russian
Mission to Metropolis.

Samuel Gompers, president OF the
American Federation of Labor, that
trades unions had had any share in
the East st. Louis riots which was
met by vehement denunciation by
Theodore Roosevelt of the murder Of
helpless negroes precipitated a tumul-
tious demonstration at mass meet
Ing held in Carnegie hall here tonight
In honor of the Russian mission to the
United States.
Mr.. Roosevelt was interrupted by
Mr.. Gompers who rose from his seat
and approached the former president.
why don't you accuse after an in
vestigation?" the labor leader de-
manded.
With these words he returned to his
seat. Roosevelt strode over to his
chair and exclaimed:
Murder to BE Answered.
Mr.. Gompers why don't | accuse
afterwards? I'll answer now when
murder is to be answered.
With that the colonel brought
down on Mr.. Gompers' shoulder his
open left hand which he had raised
above his head. AT this juncture many
OF the men on the platform leaped to
their feet and there was storm OF
Kisses. cheers and "boos'' from all
parts of the house. When Mr.. Roosevelt
could make himself heard above the
din he went on:
II will go to any extreme to bring
Justice to the laboring man, but
when there Is murder l will put him
down"
When the former president had
finished Mr.. Gompers, evidently deep
Ia OF Gtn tod IN ,.tr f., L.
1oinder. but was pushed back into
his seat by those who sat near him,
while Mayor Mitchell, who presided.
pounded vigorously with his gavel in
an effort to restore order. Several
minutes elapsed before it was possi BILE
to introduce Boris Bakmetieff, the
Russian ambassador, and continue
the meeting. As the excitement sub
sided Mr.. Roosevelt and Mr.. Gompers
found themselves sitting side by side.
Capitalists Blamed for Riot,
II was at the close of an address
by Mr.. Gompers that the colonel was
recognized by Mayor Mitchell. MIR.
Gompers had declared that many
laboring men are in much the same
position as Russians under the old
regime. read telegram he said he
had received tonight from the presi-
dent Of the Federation of Labor in
Illinois. This message purported to
explain the origin of the Eas. st.
Louis riots. II asserted that ins.ead
of labor unions being responsible for
them they resulted from employers
enticing negroes from tie south 10
the city Ito DreaK the back of labor.'
.Thore should be no apology ror
the Infamous brutalities committed
on the colored people of East st.
Louis" declared Mr.. Roosevelt in be-
ginning his vigorous denunciation of
the riots Justice is not mere
phrase. II has to be translated into
action. How can We praise Russia
for doing justice to all people when
we must apologize for doing murder
to the helpless?
Like Old Russia.
"In the past we have listened to the
same excuse from those in authority
In old Russia for the fearful pogroms
on the Jews. l will do anything for
the laboring man except that whicn Is
wrong ami that / won't do for him or
for anyone else. / care not a snap
of my finger for telegram from the
head or the labor unions of Illinois.
Let there be the fullest Investigations
into these murders"
1t was at this point that the inter-
ruption came from SIR, Gompers. Mr..
Roosevelt, had departed little earlier
In the evening from the text OF hts
formal speech of welcome to the Rus
slams to refer to the riots.
Before | greet the ENJOYS of the
new republic" he had said II wish
to say a word to you in regard 10
something that has recently occurred
inside our own boundaries.
Before we speak of justice to
others II behooVes us to do justice
within our own boundaries. / refer to
the race riots in East st. Louis, a race
riot for which so far as we can see
there was no provocation and which
resulted in such appalling brutality
as to leave a stain on the American
name.
Condemns Action.
at behooves us to express our con-
demnation of acts that give the lie to
our words within the limits Of our
own country and to say that II Is i'm
possible that there should be justifi-
cation for mob violence. II is our
duty to demand that governmental
authorities shall use with ruthless Sc.
verify every power at their command
to punish those guilty Of murder,
whether committed by whites against
blacks or whether by blacks against
whites
on the restoration of order and the
reign OF law. Upon the foundation
of law and order we must build the
structlre Of Justice"
Mr.. Roosevelt then welcomed the
Russian commission.
Asked IL he would make a state
ment when he was leaving the hall,
Mr.. Roosevelt said:
"I meant everything said. stand
by it."
"How about the slap on Mr.. Comp
ers' shoulder"
THAT was not hard blow" ne re-
Piled. "It was only gentle touch
did that to emphasize my point.
have no personal grievance against
Mr.. Gompers."
When Mr.. Gompers was asked to
give his side OF the controversy ne
said
II was very much surprised anc
panied that the colonel acted as he
did He misunderstood me. I made
no apology for the riots In the name
OF labor. simply explained the situa-
tion as It had been reported to me.