The Washington times., 1919-09-20

THURSDAY ON.
A FL. STAND
Attitude Of Congress Forces
Hand Of Association, Official
Declares.


Congressional antagoul1m % the
Wa5hington's pOlicemen's Union hal
forced members Of the union % cal
a meeting of that body next IhuFaaags
90 vote on q motion 20 withdraw from
the American Federation o. Tabor
This announcement was made before
the Senate District Committee today
By Theodore DilaviBn, q member of
the union, while the question was un-
der IRE.
Samuel Gompers. president of the
American Federation of Labor win
be asked % appear before the District
Committee next wednesday. SeuetoF
sherman. chairman Of the committee
announced at the close Of the meag-
ing.
GompeFa Seeks Audience.
The decision to call the labor eE-
ecutive before the committee was
reached after j. =. DFaeger, president
OF the City Poiicsmen'g Union. il-
formed the Senator's that he believed
Mr.. Gompers would ike 70 be heard
on the question of police aniliation
with oFganized labor.
When the committee members
Questioned Policeman DIla9Ign con
csFnlng the attitude Of ghe police to-
ward the union, he informed the COM
mittee that the union win meet next
Thursday. when this question win Be
fully discussed. he declared the real
purpose Of the meeting Oh % put for-
ward a motion for withdrawal from
the a. y. of T. in view Of the an
tagonistic feelings % Congress.
washington policemen regard the
Boston police strike ag an flneEcu1-
able crime" Policeman c. W Wise in-
formed the Senate District COMMITTEES
today.
Il am sure I speak Tor an members
OF the force when i say that our
police would never resort % auythtug
Z like that, Policeman Wise said ear-
lnestly. II really think it a crime
Senator sherman. Who D conduc,lng
I the inVegl gakiou of t1e 1liee unloas
asked Policeman wise what be-
thought OF the Boston strike.
"AI members OF the police foFce
win voice my sentiment when y say
regard d as an iueIeusable crime On
1.-THE part Of the Boston police and
i Commissioner Curtis in acting Too
/ hastily" Wise replied.
Senator sherman said he vas con-
vinced that the real sentiment cf
Washington policemen, as voiced ~
witnesses who have appeared beforc
the committee. S. against any Poliee
strike or disorder.
Senator Sherman threshod cut with
| the witnesses today the question 81
the affiliation with the American
/ Federation Of Labor. He admOnishen
the policemen that Congress believes
/ the local police have placed them
selves in an embarrassing position
| By affIliating with a union that would
D cause their sympathies to contli4t
I with their duties as policemen, IN the
event Of strikes in the National Capl-
tai
He pointed out that its principal
danger is that the union could ba
used as an entering wedge % force
organizations OF soldiers, militia, and
sheriffs' forces 70 stand between the
laWless and the la,W-ahiding.
In EmharrassIng Posltion-
Discussing the question 81 uuiel
poIicemen's strikes. Senator Shermar
told the policemen be wished tleJ
could realize the exceedingly embarr
RAISING position as to the perform
ance Of their duties in Whllch tneT
were placed before Congress.
William X. kerns, president of the
PoIicemen's Association. told Of tive
years OF futile effort on the part of
officials OF the association to obtain
hearings before Congressional cone
mittees to advance their claims for
higher wages.
He declared the association has no
connection whatever with the newly
formed policemsn's union.