Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-12-09
.GOMPERS ASSAILS
STRIKE VIOLENCE
Statements at Contemporary
Club Also Viewed as Defense
Of "Strike-Breakers"
CLASHES WITH EMPLOYERS

No man should be- prevented from
working who wants to work"
Violence in strikes is against the
law. and those guilty of it should he
punished.
VI was Samuel GompcrS president of
the American Federation of Labor. who
thus went on record before the Con
temporary Club last night. during a
stormy debate in the Bellevue between
himself. Samuel VI. Nnuclain. president
OF the Baldwin Locomotive Works. and
Henry ). Pritchett, president of the
Carnegie Foundation,
These admissions Of Mr.. GOmperS, in
reSpons" to direct questions of his al
v"rsaries in the debate were taken by
tue audience to mean that the labor
leader had publicly confessed the right
OF strike breakers to work during
strikes. and to utterly repudiate agi
taturS who stir up troubles during
strikes and walkouts
Doctor pritchett then said. I'VE all
admit there is IA point beyond which
r@pilalGRannot go in its various com
binattoHS. There is a point at which
the government must intervene. ere the
Industry becomes more powerful than
the government itself
Now, | would like MIR Gompcrs to
t.', Ms at what point should the gov
ornmrnt likewise intervene in strikes
IN basic industries strikes that threaten
people with starvation or suifering?'
The reply Mr.. GOmpers made was
the right to strike is one of the
human rights which ought never be
surrendered. and the forcing of man
10 work abainst his will is involuntary
Scrylt1de. and involuntary scrvtude is
slavery.
Mr.. Gompcrs was speaking when he
was interrupted by William IT, Austin.
former vice president of the baldwin
Locomotive Works. lie was answering
n question regarding the point in labor
troubles when the government has Il
!iGht to intervene. wher Mr.. Austin.
from the end of .hc hall. asked
How about men who are compelled
to stcn wort; when they don't want to
do so?'
That is not strike" began Mr..
GomprrS
'o-thGt's form of slavery :" re-
piled Mr.. Austin.
"Gour violence does not add to the
discussions, said Mr.. Gompers. 1T is
unlawful 10 force any one tn strike.
That is not the form of strike for which
we stand.
All three speakers. from their stand
points. took a hopeful view of the pres
ent and future industrial relations OF
/ the country.
Doctor Pritchctt, who spoke third,
strongly upheld the right of the Amer
ican people to stand superior to the
rights of any subordinate group. no
matter how important or powerful.
What, can the public do?" asked
Doctor Pritchett. AT least this--it
can demand fair dealing for every
group. vet demand of the government
that it remain the government. If il
surrender to any group. to capital or
to labor, it ceases to be the govern
mpnt.'
The speaker advocated a tribunal
which would pass on the justice of the
demands Of any group botAG~thc ex-
tremity of industrial warfare were re
sorted to, though he made It plain that
he did not wish to see the power of the
strike withheld from the worker. He
strongly intimated thar the case of the
miners was not thoroughly understood ::
that as n matter of fact in tho mining
industry apparent 'high wages were
offset by long seasons Of slack work.
Mr.. Gompcrs outlined the growth Of
the labor movement. and said human
liberty had grown with it,