The evening world., 1917-05-03
GOMPERS Warned
LABOR LEADERS TO
SHUN PEACE BODY
Federation Head Attacks Rec
ords of Martin and Schulteis
at Plot Trial.

at I III it0hs
Samuel Gompers. President Of the
American Federation Of Labor. told
in United States District Court to-
day how he had spiked an attempt
Of German propagandists to divert
union labor in America into German
channels.
Appearing as a witness in the trial
OF Capt Franz Won Rintelen. million
aire German agent, and seven Amer
leans charged with conspiracy. Mr..
oompers attacked the right of some
of the defendants to represent them
slves as labor leaders and indicated
his belief that Labor's National Peace
Council had been formed to shield
operations beneficial TO German war
interests.
He told OF how he had personally
gone before n convention OF the
American Building Trades Councils
at Atlantic City in June. 1915. and
urged II to steer clear OF any move
fostered by the so-called Peace Coun-
Gil and former Congressman Frank
Buchanan OF Illinois. tho Councils
President and a defendant In the
case on trial He also wrote TO In
fiuential labor leaders throughout the
country and personally saw others
after he had been approached by Blu
chanan, who endeavored to enlist him
In a scheme for spreading pacinst
sentiment and curtailing the exporta-
tion OF munitions to Europe.
When former Assistant ID strict At
torney Frank Moss. representing Bu-
II tho labor president was not pre-
JUDGED against the Illinois leader be-
cause OF fear he would oppose his
reelection as head OF the American
Federation, a bitter tilt ensued.
Have you not heard" asked Mr..
Moss. tho statement that for the last
four years you have been trying to
deliver organized labor TO the trusts?"
THAT is not true" shouted Mr..
Gompers. mo man ever made that
charge and you are not serious in
asking the question"
81 am serious" snapped the attor-
ney. Don't insult me-"
"Well. don't you dare insult me-"
cried the witness Indignantly.
Mr Gompers attacked the sincerity
OF Herman Schulteis and Henry b,
Martin. two of the defendants who
posed as labor leaders, and said that
the official records OF the American
Federation showed they were usually
opposed TO legislative measures ad-
vocated generally by labor unions.
l.. y. Williams. attorney for Schul-
teis, tried to show that his client
and Martin had merely opposed
Gompers in his personal views and
that the witness therefore testified
in a prejudiced light. Mr. Gompcrs
came back at Williams with the state
ment that Martin and Schultels
were regarded in Washington as
political strikers" He denied their
right to claim any authority from
organized labor in America.
Congressman Buchanan was
typifed by Mr.. Gompers as a great,
big. good man" whom he didn't want
to SEQ wasted" in a worthless and
questionable cause.
81 was pretty well convinced that
buchanan had been Influenced by
Others" said the labor leader. MY
confidence in him was somewhat
shaken, There was some doubt In
my mind as TO his sincerity and |
wanted TO help him, II / could, to
retrace his steps"
NJ. Martin Dolphin, counsel for Da-
vid Lamar, engaged Mr.. Gompers In
long discussion Of his views on
Government ownership OF munltion
plants, a project which he has op-
posed and which Buchanan favored
in Congress. EX- Senator Bailey
finally protested that he was capable
OF representing Buchanan. VINO is his
client, and didn't need Dolphln's as
sistance.
MIR. Gompers was excused from the
stand and r. B. Horner, room clerk
at the Hotel Sherman. Chicago, was
called. Horner testified that Lamar
had registered at the Hotel sherman
on July 21, 1915, under the name of
II, Rusky." lie said he had seen
Lamar or "Rusky" about the hotel
on several occasions in the company
of the defendant Martin.
II was at this time. the Government
contends, that the init al peace"
meeting Of the conspirators was
planned.
The right OF the three special Gov
crnmcnL prosecutors, Oelund, O Brian
and Sarfaty, To act in tho case with
o IN ng certificates OF their author
ity with the court, was ques. ..uncd
by Atorney Dolphin at the opening OF
he afternoon session. He indicated