The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-09-14
GOMPERS BLAMES
CURTIS FOR STRIKE
Says Walkout Was Provoked
and Practically Forced on
Policemen.
CALLS HIM AN AUTOCRAT
Telegraphs Gov. Coolidge an
Appeal for a Review of
the Situation.
CALLS HIM AN AUTOCRAT

Samuel Gompefs. president Of the
American Federation OF Labor. sent
telegram from the Continental Hotel last
night to Gov. Coolidge Of Massachusetts,
appealing to the Governor. to Mayor
Peters and to Police Commissioner Cur
tia of Boston TO take q broad view of
tho entire situation" and later gave out
| a statement in which he blamed the
police strike to. Commissioner Curtis.
| The statement follows:
THE unionizing of policemen is not OF
the seeking Of the American Federation
of Labor.
Their voluntary organization and in
sistent demand for charters is the nat
ural reflex of futile individual attempts
to improve working conditions. There
| fore the American Federation of Labor
was and is called upon to meet situa-
ton created by incapable, negligent or
artocratic municipal authorities. When
men are underpaid or made to work
under bad conditions they seek redress.
Unable to right their grievances or OBJ
| tain better working conditions from their
immediate superiors, they look for re-
dress elsewhere. This was the case in
Boston.
when policemen accept charters from
| the American Federation of Labor II Is
with the distinct understanding that
/ strike action will not be resorted to and
no obligation is assumed which In any
way conflicts with their oaths or duty.
In the American Federation OF Labor
they are given sane advice and counsel
out OF it, or AFFILIATED with some un-
American or irresponsible organization a
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.
Responsibility of Authorities.
unfortunate and regretable as the
: strike of the Boston policemen was
surely sound public opinion will make
the authorities in Boston admit ant
share their own full responsibility fol
It. The situation in which the police
men find themselves to-day was provoked
: and practically forced upon them by
the autocratic action of Police Commits
! sioner Curtis. who at any time nigh
/, have honorably settled the dispute by
/ SUCH action as is naturally expected OF
; n public official in his responsible posi-
|, tion.
= Even now, vested with individual
autocratic authority, with which ever
the Governor states he has no powe
7 approximately 1,400 policemen vacant
! Surely there is some weight of justic
, In Boston that will prevent this individ
ual whose vision and interests prob
ably do not extend beyond the scop'
OF the Boston police area, from openl.
! antagonizing the great American labo
movement and making the work of IL
officers to lead along sound and pro
gressive lines most difficult II not i'm
possible.
IF the authorities give no consdera
ton to the human side OF the question
/ or to the advice and suggestion which
had the honor to make, then what
ever betide is upon the head OF the au
! thorities responsible therefor"
Message to Governor.
J Mr.. Gompers's telegram to the Ba,
1 State Governor reads:
t Your telegram received. While an