The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-09-24
GOMPERS ATTACKS
CUMMINS BILL
Labor Chief Tells Senators He
Would Flout Any Anti
Strike Law.
PLUMB ADDS TO PROTEST
"Plan" Author Says Workers
Are Now Bent on Cutting
Costs of Living.
Special ,DcspatcA 10 THr srX.

WASHINGTON, Sept 23.-Samuel Com
pers, president Of the American Fedora
ton of Labor. before the Senate Inter-
state Commerce Committee. to-day
voiced the disapprobation of the fedora
ton to the anti-strike provisions Of the
Cummins bill providing for the return
OF the railroads to their owners and the
future regulation of transportation.
Regardless OF the fact that the Cum
minis measure bristles with protective
provisions for the workers in the trans
portation field. Mr.. Gompers asserted
that 1t was against the principle of the
freedom of disposition of effort and
tantamouht to slavery.
These provisions of the Cummins
bilr are not only unconstitutional" said
Mr.. Gompers, but they are repugnant
to the spirit of the American Constitu-
ton. The result of the bill would be to
deny American workers the right to dis
pose of themselves and their ability to
work"
Mr. Gompers held that the idea of
legal prohibition of strikes was not a
new one. He said 1t had been earnestly
urged more than thirty years ago and
added, the fact is undeniable that there
is strong tendency among persons who
are Inconvenience by strikes to make 1t
impossible for the workers to quit their
employment"
but show me country where the
right to strike Is denied" he said, land
I will show you a state- low in civiliza-
ton and a place where freedom cannot
obtain.
Wherever you find strikes forbidden
by law you will find strikes more nu-
meroua Has labor proved reasonable
/ ask you whether it is fair reward
for the workers of America that they
shall be confronted by such condition?
American laboring men are against
union strikes, but l say in all candor
that American workingmen will never
surrender their right to quit work when
the terms of work are intolerable, and
l should hate to live one minute after
that right had been surrendered.
Strikes Due TO Desperation.
I'VE do not want to strike. Strikes are
not conducted for pleasure, but because
of desperation. This legislation would
not prevent strikes. but would make law
breakers. 1 would have no more hesi-
fancy in entering n just strike after the
passage OF such legislation than 1 have
now regardless of what the consequences
would be. The purpose OF the bill Is to
disband unionized labor"
The committee also heard Glenn Z.
Plumb, counsel for the railroad brother
hoods, and Warren S. Stone. head of
the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engi-
neers, denounce the anti-strike pro-
visions of the bill.
IT am not the diplomat of our organi-
zation-I speak straight from the Shout
DER" said Mr.. Stone. This bill is the
most reactionary measured ever proposed
in Congress. IT leaves labor to bureau
cratic domination"
These provisions destroy the right OF
collective bargaining" Plumb charged
They are directed solely against the
wage Garner The right to strike ID
Inherent and has been recognized by
| ilnumerable decisions
Strikes are symptoms of social dis
| orders. not causes You propose to treat
the symptoms and let the social fever
| rage.
There is change coming in the ma
| ture of strikes which this COMMITTEES
does not recognize. Formerly strikes
| have been carried on only to secure labor
larger share of the products it makes
Hereafter they will be carried on to
compel a reduction in profits and protect
the interests Of labor on the consuming
side. Labor must retain the right to
strike TO lower the cost of living"
Isn't it true that strikes ordinarily
| stop production and so cause higher
prices?' asked Senator Townsend
(Mich.)
Temporarily strikes diminish produc-
ton" Plumb said, but they can force q
decrease in prices which will more thar
| make up for it."
There has never been a strike Will
| that object" Senator Townsend returned
| land we have to legislate in the light Of
| experience"
There have been none with this pur
nose as yet" Plumb said, but ther,
| is no reason for Congress to put up G
bar against the progress of the future.
Answering n question by Senator
! Pomerene (Ohio) Plumb conceded tha
| two weeks stoppage Of transportation
! would mean disaster and starvation fol
the people of all the cities.
but the way to prevent that" h,
| declared, lis not to let the owners o
| capital keep utilities Of public seTvic,
from being used for public service"
Expands His Theory.
Senator Robinson (Ark) pressed
| Plumb for further explanation OF hi
| theory that strikes could reduce Living
costs.
| Suppose" said Plumb, "the railroad
workers should adopt the view that rail
road owners are getting $500, ZOO, O0'
more in excess rentals for the use o
the roads than they are entitledsto. anC
force the reduction, that will reduce
prices.
1.-THE United States Steel Corporation
| is making eight times as much profit a
\ it did before the war. Suppose the stee
| workers in n two weeks strike force thu
reduction in profits to the pre-war stand
| and that would reduce prices, and II
two months would make up for the los
or production during the two weeks stop
page"
"Do you really consider there woul,
be a revolution If this bill passes?" asket
Senator Poindexter (Wash.).
"Yes, an industrial revolution" Plumb
answered,
| After discussing possible violence anC