The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-18
BARR SAYS GOMPERS
misunderstood HIM
Founders President Seeks No
Controversy With Labor
Leader, He Asserts.

1T is quite apparent that Mr.. Gompers
has misinterpreted both the spirit and
the intent of my recent statement"
William II. Barr. president OF the Ma
tional Founders Association. said yes
terday regarding a statement issued
Saturday by Samuel Gompers. president
Of the American Federation of Labor. in
the closing hours OF the Pan-American
labor conference in Laredo. Tex.
Mr.. Gompers's statement was inspired
by a statement attributed to Mr.. Barr
that a reduction Of wages and longer
hours would be the only means by which
American manufacturers could continue
to cope with foreign industries after the
war. Mr.. Gompers said:
Notice is given here and now that
the American people will not be forced
back by either Mr.. Barr. his associa-
lions. or all the Bourbons in the United
States"
Does Not Want Controversy.
Mr.. Gompers gave warning that Amer
lean workers and those of allied coun-
tries will resist to the uttermost any at
tempt TO take away any advantage they
have gained. To this Mr.. Barr replied
yesterday:
''If any man or set OF men assumes
to think the manufacturers intend at
this time TO enter into any wage con-
troversy they are quite mistaken.
"On the contrary. all possible con-
structive energy should be utilized for
cooperation and not for strife. Perhaps
the country can maintain Its industries
and secure its share OF world trade on
an eight hour workday basis. II so.
we'll and good. NO one would welcome
such a condition more than the manu-
facturers. Whether II is possible to do
SO is a great question. There are no
existing data or information based on
precedent which furnishes the answer.
Far war purposes, our country and all
other nations found II necessary TO set
aside eight hour laws in order TO meet
manufacturing emergencies.
at seems best TO treat the question
OF working hours as one of the problems
to be solved in accordance with peace
conditions and in a sensible businesslike
fashion.
Workers Chiefly Interested.
"It our manufacturers can maintain
their industries and furnish employment
TO all classes of workers on an eight
hour basis the situation would he well
come, otherwise the result would be
common calamity, with the worker as
the chief sufferer. The same general
application OF principles applies TO the
question of wages. II wages can be
maintained at a high level all classes
would be gamers thereby. as IL operates
to the common benefit and increases all
buying power.
However. labor's product must be
sold In competition with other countries.
and II it cannot be sold at the present
high wage level Il must nevertheless be
sold, and a reduction in wages auto
matically creating n decreased cost of
living is preferable to unemployment.
"My understanding of the attitude of
manufacturers is that they are APP
preaching the present industrial situa-
ton with the high purpose OF maintain
ing the nations Industries upon a sane
and stable basis. To seek any tenn
porary benefit would be both selfish and
shortsighted. The broadening OF human
vision. the desire for better things In
industry and the hope for permanent ad-
vancement is not confined TO Mr.. Com
pers, nor has It reached all other classes
Of society and passed by the manufac-
turers.
"Cnquestionably the manufacturer is
more deeply concerned in working out
the great common industrial problems
than are those individuals and organlza-
tions whose principal efforts are con-
fined 10 vituperation and reduction OF
o,,tnrt"