Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-09-14
GOMPERS bLAMES.
CURTIS FOR STRIKE
Says Boston Police Commits
sioner Might Have Honor
ably Settled Dispute.


NEW YORK. September 13.-Sam-
ue1 Gompers, president of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor. placed the
entire blame for the Boston police
strike on Police Commissioner Edwin
Curtis, in a statement issued here to-
night.
Makes Formal Statement.
Mr.. Gompers' formal statement fol-
lows:
The unionizing of policemen is not
Of the seeking Of the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor. :
Their voluntary organization and
insistent demand for charters is the
natural reflex of futile individual at
tempts to improve working condi-
tions. Therefore, the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor was and is called
upon to meet situation created by
incapable, negligent or autocratic
municipal authorities.
When men are underpaid or made
to work under bad conditions they
seek redress. Unable to right their
grievances or obtain better working
conditions from their immediate su-
periors, they look for redress else
where. This was the case in Boston.
When policemen accept charters
from the American Federation of La
Dor it is with the distinct understand
ing that strike action will not be re-
sorted to: and no obligation is as
sumed which in any way conflicts
American Federation of Labor they
are given sane advice and COUNSEL
out Of it, or affiliated with some I'M
American or irresponsible organiza-
ton q situation might develop which
would cause real concern, and for
which the American Federation, Of
Labor does not care to accept even
remote responsibility by refusing to
take them In and guide them Alright.
strike Of the Boston policemen was.
surely sound public opinion will make
the authorities in Boston admit and
share their own full responsibility
for it.
! "Might Have Settled Dispute"
sssThe situation in; which the police
men raI find themselves today eva was pro,
them by the autocratic action of
Police Commissioner Curtis. who at
any time might have honorably set
tied the dispute by such action as is
oiai in HIS RESPONSE responsibi H position. c ON
Even now, vested with individual,
autocratic authority with which
even the governor states he has no
power to interfere. he declares the
places Of approximately ,ina7 49, LOO police
weight of Justice in Boston that will
prevent this individual, whose vision F!
and interests probably do not extend
beyond the scope of the Boston police
great American labor movement AND
making the work Of its officers to
lead along sound and progressive |
lines most difficult, If not impossible
IF the authorities give no con-
sideration to the human side Of the
question or to the advice and sug-
gestion which had the honor to
make, then whatever betide is upon |
the head Of the authorities respons- !
ible therefor" !
Telegram to Governor.
Mr.. Gompers' telegram to Gov. Cool
your telegram received. While |
am not a responsible public official, !
assure you that I am as much con-
cerned in the maintenance OF law and |
order as any one possibly could be. !
The question at issue is not one Of !
law and order, but the assumption OF
an autocratic and unwarranted posi- |
ton by the commissioner OF police, |
who is not responsible to the people |
of Boston, but who is appointed by |
you. Whatever disorder has occurred
is due to his order in which the right |
of the policemen to organize has been |
denied-a right which has heretofore
never been questioned.
MY appeal to you as governor and
to Hon. Andrew J. Peters, mayor Of
Boston, was not to sustain lawless- |
ness, but to honorably adjust mu-
tually unsatisfactory situation in ac-
cordance with a suggestion by the
President of the United States in q
similar case. Nothing but good can
result from favorable action upon my
suggestion. May I not further appeal
to you, to Mayor Peters and the police
commissioner to take a broad view of
the entire situation and thus give the
opportunity for cool, deliberate con-
sideration when the passions aroused
shall have subsided?"