The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-09-24
CONGRESS- CHEERS
EXPOSE OF FOSTER
Representative Cooper Warns
Labor Against the Ascend
cncy of I.W.W. Element.
CLASS HATRED AROUSED
Would Treat Bolshevik Agita-
tors in Steel Strike as Trai-
tors to America.
specis, Despatch TO The Sun.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 23.-Radical labor
leaders who would overthrow the Gov
eminent Of the United States have
stirred I'D the steel strike was the charge
made to-day in the House by Represen-
,otiye John c. Cooper (ohio). Repub-
lean, from tho Youngstown steel dis
trc,. member of and for seventeen
years a leader in the railroad brother
hoods.
william 2. Foster. one of the strike
leaders, was declared by Mr.. Cooper
TO have disqualified himself by his radl-
cal writings from the name of an
American citizen and the protection of
the American flag" Mr.. Cooper quoted
paragraphs from Mr.. Fosters book on
"Syndicalisnl," called to public attention
by publication in THE SUN. to prove
his charges, and sharply criticised the
American Federation OF Labor, OF which
he is a member. for permitting such a
revolutionary gaitator" to organize the
strike. Mr.. Foster. Mr. Cooper added,
was condemned officially in 1911 by the
labor federation for his 1. w. w.
activities In Europe.
Nc. Cooper made a strong appeal for
american labor to wake up and realize
that they are being led by men who
would destroy sacred American insti-
buttons His address was approved heart
fly by tho House, the entire member
ship of which arose and cheered as he
finished.
Conservatives Being Retired.
II do not hesitate to say that II ap-
tears as IL the conservative labor lead
ers may be pushed aside in order to let
more radical element take their
places" Mr.. Cooper said. II speak for
few minutes to-day to try to war;. the
American laboring man not to be led
astray by the radical. so-called labor
leaders, who would overthrow our form
Of government and destroy the sacred
institutions which in the past have been
near and dear to the hearts of the Amer
lean people.
Il want solemnly to warn the workers
that at this time there are many agita-
tors who are pushing themselves into
places OF prominence and leadership
Many of these men have not done an
honest days work in their lives, and IL
press reports are true. they are stirring
up class hatred which will widen the
gap between employer and employee in g.
stead Of bringing them closed together
These extremists are appealing es-
pecally to men of foreign birth who
nave little or no conception of American
ideals and institutions, and 1t is to one
Of these men that / want to- call the at
iendon of Congress and the country.
hold in my hand a pamphlet en-
titled 'Syndicalism.' One of the authors
and publishers of this book is a mar
named William Y. Foster. / want you
to know who William q. Foster is. At
The present time he Is secretary treas
urer of the National Committee which
has had charge of organizing the steel
workers throughout our country.
charge that Mr.. Fosters own words in
this book show his unfitness as a labor
leader and disqualify him from the name
Of an American citizen and the protec-
ton of the American flag.
Foster Linked with 1. w. W.
Il also have here a copy of the Labor
World. paper which is published in
Pittsburg and is devoted to the interests
OF the working classes. In it are repro
dueed Photographic proofs of Foster .
]. W. W.ism. Foster was one OF the
Eastern organ of the /. w. W., published
in New Castle. Pa, only a few miles
from my home in Youngstown. Ohio.
Mr. Speaker. can 1t be possible that
Ia this critical time in our nations his
tory such men as William T. Foster are
spokesman for the working classes of
the country? 1 appeal to the working
men 10 wake up and not be led astray
ny such agtators as this man is. And
am wondering why the American Fed
Grafton of Labor. most of whose mem
bers are honest, law abiding citizens,
permits such d man as Foster TO take
such prominent part in organizing the
steel workers, when the federation itself
mas officially condemned him for the
revolutionary agitator that he ia
1 have in my possession the report
OF the thirty-first annual conyention Of
the American Federation of Labor held
IN Atlanta, Ga, November 10, 1911. In
inc proceedings of this convention ap
pears the report Of James Duncan, then
and now vice-president of the American
federation of Labor, the chief delegate
o. the federation at the International
Labor Conference held in Hungary
earlier in that year. A large part Of Mr..
Duncan's report consisted of a most
Illuminating statement OF the activities
OF roster as an American /. w. w.
preventative in Europe at that time.
II appears that Foster was a bitter
Enemy to the Federation Of Labor at
mat time.