The Washington times., 1919-10-05
.GONPERS SAYSAW
CAN'T STOP STRIKES
Labor Chief Tells Congress
Proposed Legislation Would
Breed BOIsheyism.

The organized workers Of the
United States viii not obey a law
making strikes illegal, or providing
for compulsory arbitration, even
though it should be held constitu-
tional by the Supreme Court.
Samuel GOmpers, president OF the
American Federation OF Labor.
served notice ITO this effect on Con-
gress yesterday, when he appeared
before the House Interstate Com
merce Committee to protest against
the inclusion of such provisions in
the pending legislation for regula-
tion Of the railroads after the termi-
nation Of Federal control W. n.
DoaS, vice president of the Brother
hood of Railway Trainmen, joined
GOmpers in the protest.
'Tf Congress should adopt a COM
pulsOry arbitration law and forbid
strikes, said Mr.. Gompers, you will
not accomplish the aim that you in
tend, but you will produce Iawbreak-
ers who will violate that law, even
il they go to jail for it.
webster HeekIes Hin.
The labor heads declaration came
after a heated twenty-minute colo
uuy with Congressman Webster, Re
publican, Washington. Webster sew
eraI times asked what the labor chief
would advise the workers to do in the
event that a law prohibiting strikes
and providing for compulsory arbi-
tration was enacted and upheld by
the Supreme Court.
'T think should obey such law,
II I was an individual worker" Mr..
Gomper finally replied, "but I am
sure the workers would not, and you
would have thousands Of laWbFeakeFs
throughout the country"
"But would you, as the head Of a.
great labor organization, counsel
them to obey such q laWT' Mr.. Web
ster asked him.
Would Appeal 90 Country.
mo, sir" admitted the Federation
president. 81 would remain silent,
counseling neither obedience nor dis
obedience, but would advise the
American Federation OF Labor to ap-
peal to the country"
he added that he could not con-
ceive Of the courts holding such q
law valid. because il would impose
involuntary. servitude. The enactment
OF an anti-strike law, in his opinion,
would amount TO putting handouts
on labor, and would be- doomed to
failure.
Pressed for an explanation OF what
he meant BY an appeal TO the coun-
try, Mr.. fGOmpers said the idea he had
In mind was q campaign 70 secure the
election Of arCpngress q that would re-
verse the court action by repeating
the law.
Breeding BOIshevlsm.
tfWmur -
continued, that's what you are
doing. You are giving the /. ". W.
the means 10 undermine the regular,
conservative element Of the American
Federation Of Labor. Already the
are referring to this IeEis-
lation and saying to the workers, /
That's what you get in return for
your loyalty and patriotism
Questions with regard g Mr.. Comp
ers' attitude toward the Plumb plan
for naturalization Of the railroads
developed that the labor chief Is not
ready to endorse the plan, although |
It's advocates have asserted that he
had approved IL. Doak also disclosed
3 lack Of enthusiasm for the Plumb |
plan. He assured the committee that
the railroad workers will not insist |
on its adoption. He denied that a |
strike is contemplated to force-Con- |
gress to favOrabIy consider it.
On the question Of compulsory arbi-
tration and an anti-strike law, Doak
said mo legislation at all" is ne
cessary. He recommended that the
Of disputes between the
and the roads be left to
the same methods that obtained be-
fore the Government took over the !
lines.