The Washington times., 1919-11-15
SEEK TO ENSLAVE
Us, SAYS COMPERS
Veteran Labor Leader Claims
Federal Oppression to Aid
Moneyed Interests.


tie and heading toward 1t unless
there is a decided change in its policy
of batting, according to Samuel
Gompers. president of the American
Federation of Labor.
The venerable head of the national
abor organization appears 70 con-
slider the outlook grave. His voice
trembled at times with emotion ana
earnestness, as he spoke in low tone
of the social and industrial unrest
throughout the country. Weighing
each word carefully, and talking slow.
~, as though to give to what he had
TO say an added emphasis, he declared
the United States Government is now
boldly lined up with the moneyed in
terests- and big business while en-
shacliing the workers and driving
them into slavery.
The Government" he charged, as
going to lengths it never dared be-
fore.
Handwriting Workers.
Not only does 1t seek by injunc-
ton to prevent the performance Of
certain acts on the part Of the work
ing people, thing we have seen be-
fore-but now, by mandatory order
1t Is actually commanding men to go
out and do certain things, something
never before heard of in this coun-
try.
"In other words the Government Of
the United States is deliberately put
ting handouts on the wrists of
American workers and driving them
into involuntary servitude.
There is great unrest now in the
land. Instead of doing something to
decrease 1t. the Government, by its
acts, Is adding to it.
unless there is a change of policy
1t will lead to- do not know what"
Feels Labor Betrayed.
Quite obviously he considers that
labor has been betrayed.
From the very first" he said. "tbe
American Federation of Labor has fol-
lowed genuinely constructive policy
for the betterment Of the conditions
or the laborinS classes of the country
our policy, too, has nothing Sc
cret or underhanded about tit is,
and always has been open and above
board, following, indeed, very closely
in its organization, the political struc-
ture OF the nation itself, the various
labor units being comparable to the
states, the National Federation to the
feoeral Government.
Our patriotism and loyalty has
never been in dispute. Before Tho
war. more than three weeks prior
to the day President Wilson read his
denunciation of the Germans, the
American Fedration Of Labor publicly
announced that it would stand with
the Government in the event of war
And the workers OF America kept
their word. TX
Throughout the conflict American
labor did its part without question,
feellng that 1t was contributing to
the liberty Of mankind. We accepted,
likewise without question, the decis-
ions of the Government bearing upon
labor. feeling that the Government
would deal Justly.
But now. after the war is over.
we find that there is not only no more
freedom than before the war but that
the freedom that labor enjoyed then
Is actually being taken from us.
Reward Is Determination.
1--WE find the Government using it's
power against one side and in favor
of another.
81 have just been told that Senator
Kenyon will urge that the measures
against the coal strike and others of
that kind be extended to cover all
strikes Of whatever nature they may
be.
Thus Is labor being put in chains
and driven away into involuntary
.servitude, and the general unrest
throughout the country increased in
stead of diminished by the acts of the
Government itself
"Where 1t will lead to don't know.
One of two things, however, must
happen: Labor will either become
slaves or find the best remedy to pre-
vent IL, and I have an abiding faith
that the remedy will be found"