The Washington times., 1919-09-24
WOMAN CHIEF ASKS
MAKES COPS SERFS PULLMAN
fcontinued from - ~

CONTINUED from First Page.)
Fanization OF some sort for a long
period OF time. They have never be-
fore had q union; but there never was
a time when the District police be-
longed to clubs and other individual
organizations that their right to af-
filiate was questioned"
TeIa Of Police Appeals.
Mr.. Gompers declared that for
years members OF police forces
throughout the country applied for
membership in the A f. OF L.
eve said that the question was
immaterial TO US" said Mr.. Gompers,
sbut we will be glad to help. The
appeal of policemen to our repre-
sentatives in various cities and to me
to get them some relief continued.
The question came up before the con-
vention Of the A. r. OF l.. and q
resolution was adopted authorizing
the issuance Of charters on proper
application from policemen oFgani-
zatiOns."
e5 Formed In I've Months.
Mr.. Gompers said that two months
after the regulation was passed that
sixty-five poIicemen's unions had
been formed, and that thirty-three
charters had been issued to police
mems unions.
In my opinion" said Mr. Gompers,
''the affiliation OF the policemen with
the A. T. Of L is e real need. And
that fact goes without saying in as
much as policemenB' unions are
sprinEing up all. over the country.
"It Is obvious that the need ex-
lists for an agency 20 secure justice
for men whose rights have been trod-
den upon as il they were vassals
who did not dare to protest for fear
their bread would be taken from their
mouths"
says Police Are UndeFpald.
Senator Dial, Of South Carolina,
asked Mr.. Gompers whether he
thought the police forces Of various
municipalities have been under paid
and had other unfair conditions i'm
posed upon them.
Il know t." replied Mr.. Gompers
why Sc IL that such large numbers
have OFganiEed?7 asked Senator Dial
The injustice and mistreatment
and oppression just mentioned"
said LIr. GomperE.
do you think that increased
needs resulted In the organization
OF policemen's uniOnsg' asked Sen
ator Dial
yes. sir" replied Mr.. GOmpera.
Reluctant On Boston.
Mr. Gompers touched upo nthe
Boston police strike with. q brief
comment that showed reluctance
about going into the Boston AFFAIR
In detail and requested the men,
bers OF the committee not TO ques-
tion him IN regard to that strike.
''If there is any doubt about the
injustice Of the poiicemen's cause the
action OF the authorities in various
cities since the strike in Boston re-
moves that doubt quite definitely"
said Mr.. GOmpers.
Many cities have taken up the
question Of better conditions for their
policemen since the Boston strike.
The unjust treatment OF policemen
has gone on FOR q long time and their
interests have been ignored. These
conditions should be improved"
Protests singing Out A. r. Of L.
Protesting the wording OF the Myers
resolution, Mr.. GOmperB said:
which labor organizations did
Senator Myers mention?
There are but two labor OFganiza-
tions in the country. These two are
the A. r. and L. and the I. W. ",
The I. ". w, which has an OrganiEa-
tiOn Of about 35, 900 members, has
raised q great noise most by reason
Of its radical members. In q month or
two, when the railroad brotherhOOds
will probably be added 20 the A. F. Of
L, our organization will have more
than four and a half million mem
bers."
What has the American Fedora
tiOn Of Labor done that IL should be
locked out by the American Govern,
ment?" Mr.. Gompers continued. The
A. F. Of L. has done as much as any
organisation in the world for the up
lift Of the world, and proved 100 per
cent loyal during the war. Why
should the policemen be forbidden TO
affiliate with an organization which
is 100 per cent loyal to the Govern
ment? I am willing to turn the rec
ords Of the A. >. Of Z. over to any
other authorized representative for
examination and challenge any one
to show any action which the A. F. Of
L has taken in contravention to law
and the spirit Of the country"
Il a. % yOUF best inGsFeat to Buf
y0uF Liberty Bend interest IN W. 8, 8.