Evening star., 1919-09-24

Mr.. Gompers charged that the po-
licemen in the municipalities of the
country in the past have been treated.
sals." and that they have not dared
to open their mouths to seek justice.
Tells of Applications.
In substantiation of this statement
he pointed out that after the conven-
tion of the American Federation of
ters to unions of policemen sixty-five
applications were received from
unions of policemen in all parts CT
the country up to August 26, and
thirty-three charters were granted.
The universal demand for affiliation
with the American Federation of La
Dor, he argued. was proof that the
men felt they could not obtain justice
under the old conditions.
Since the recent disruption in Bos-
ton," Mr.. Gompers said, the authori-
ties in many municipalities. whether
have been giving more attention to
the questions of better pay, better
hours and Of furnishing uniforms for
the police.
Mr.. Gompers read from the Myers
resolution. and declared that its pro-
ganizations in this country, one be-
ing the American Federation of Labor
and the other /. w. w. AS a matter Of
fact, he said, the police of the Dis
trict had applied for affiliation with
the American Federation of Labor.
Seen as Stigma ON A. F. L.
How has the American Federation
of Labor, or its officers or representa-
W. Mt fad % a nf nc a
stigma upon it as Is now proposed
in this resolution" demanded Mr..
GOmperS. * - - = =. = - - - :
Mr. Gompers said that he did not
labor and the heads of industries and
the public called by the President
would bring forth, but he predicted
that this whole thing can work itself
out without Congress enacting an
other prohibitory law.
Thou shalt not seems to be the
order of the day." said the veteran
labor leader. He charged that Con-
gress had enacted too many laws
prohibiting this and that, and re-
ferred to the last amendment to the
Constitution prohibiting the manufac-
-ture and sale of liquor.
Don't, don't. don't the people are
told, and if you do you go to Jail"
said Mr.. Gompers. In this case tho
will be thrown into the streets and
out of a livelihood"
Scores Myers Resolution.
Mr.. Gompers said that in his judg-
ment the Myers resolution was not
only unnecessary, but unjust and I'm
wise. He said that the policemen
of the District for years have been
organized in associations of their
own, and that there was nothing
ich or in
the past in their own unions which
they could not do now as members
of union affiliated with the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor.
In fact, he said. the only body
which might check any untoward ac-
ton by the policemen was the A. +.
L. He told the committee that there
was no power in the American Fed
Grafton of Labor to order or direct
any strike by the police.
Afaliation Desired for Years.
For years the police forces throughout
tho country have made application to
the American Federation of Labor for
union charters. Mr.. Gompers said.
I'VE have said to them the question
of being members of the union or not is
you whether you are affiliated with the
American Federation of Labor or not"
said Mr. Gompcrs. Many appeals have
been made by the policemen to our
representatives in various cities and TO
me. They have come clandestineIy and
at night. fearing to be spotted and
victimized."
Mr.. Gompers said the police, under
old conditions, were not heard or
listened to, and that they did not dare
to present a just grievance. He told
of the action at the convention of
the American Federation of Labor in
agreeing to issue charters to the po-
licemen's unions, and said that in all
the years he had been connected with
the American Federation of Labor
he has been president of the fedora
ton for thirty-SiX out of the thirty
nine of it's eXistence-he had never
seen or heard of SO great response
or of so many appeals from any trade
or calling as came from the police
mems unions throughout the country
the sixty-five applications for char
ters received the policemen's organ
izations were scattered throughout
the country. including Washington
and staid old Boston.
Questioned by Senators.
Senator Dial of South Carolina
asked Mr.. Gompers if the American
of Labor had made an ef-
Not the slightest" replied Mr.. i
Gompers.
DO you think that the police forces
Of municipalities in the past have as
a rule been oppressed and underpaid?"
asked Senator New of Indiana.
do l believe that is the case?" Mr..
Gompers asked. Il know it,"
Mr.. Gompers read to the committee
a list of the thirty-three cities in
which the unions of policemen have
been chartered by the American Fed
Grafton of Labor.
''If / had any, dubt that the cause
of the policemen was just. that the wei
faro and rights of the policemen have
been ignored" said Mr.. Gompcrs. this |
general demand for affiliation with the |
American Federation of Labor would !
be {, sufficient answer"
Mr.. Gompers said he preferred not to !
discuss the Boston poiicemens strike !
at this time. He added, however that |
he would not avoid it il the committee |
desired him to discuss it Returnin,, to !
the provisions of the Myers resolution. |
Mr. Gompers pointed out that the only |