The sun., 1919-10-04

urBt, replfe0 MT. EOtter.
Senator Mcclellan insisted upon hav-
ing this question answered. and after
some time the witness said:
mot only as TO that paragraph but
to all these things. can say they were
written eight or nine years ago. I am
one of those who have come from the
sums. have lived a life Of hard ex-
perience, have seen the worst side OF
many things, have known many things
with which I could not agree. / was at
one time follower and advocate of the
syndicalist system. Since then i have
become a little less impatient and ex-
treme In my views-in fact great deal
iess''f
Mcclellan Pins Him Down.
But 1 want to know" insisted Sem
ator Mcclellan. ''whetAer you personally
believe the statement about revolution
that / have read?"
IF were writing a book now I would
not include any Of that" he finally said.
But" insisted Senator Mcclellan, 81
want to know whether you believe that
statement to-day. You can answer that
question yes or 'no.''
Again Mr.. Foster made indirect answer,
saying: t-f rr..
There has been q great deal of pub
the newspapers have treated the men
who are in charge Of this campaign
most unfairly. Even Mr.. Gompers has
| been lambasted from one end of the
country to the other for his part In tt"
Answer my question. please" In
sisted Mr.. Mcclellan.
| Mr.. Foster proceeded as IL he had not
heard the interruption:
The papers have tried to beat US In
this campaign by making me and Mr..
| Fitzpatrick the issues, and misrepresent-
ing us ! am not here to lie or to cavil ;
! will tell you the truth. IL hesitate il
Is because I do not feel that my answer
will be fairly represented by the press.
| have no possible objection to talking
| with all frankness to this committee II
my personal opinions are of interest to
them, and will do so II the press is ex-
cluded."
But 1t is charged that the strike was
IN large part melted by radicals like
yourself. and that IT has not been sin
carely supported by the American Fed
Kenyon.
II have no desire whatever to do you
any injustice, Mr.. Foster" said Senator
Mcclellan. Mr.. Gompers has told the
committee that your views have beer
changed since you wrote that"
Foster Has Changed Views.
And he Is right" replied Foster en-
phatically. 81 am not going to make ar
issue in this campaign Of my persona
views"
Please, then. answer my question
whether you now believe the doctrine Al
stated here in this book" again
reiterated Senator Mcclellan.
Il have no objection to giving al
answer for the committee, from which
am sure will get a square deal.
will not--I feel that should not--stat'
my views to be misconstrued IN tn
press Of the country. Trade unions ar
based on fundamental principles o
economics. and as a trade unionist
have never brought In outside questions
II have carefully avoided the intro
duction of questions OF religion, o
ethics, of morals. anything apart from
the fundamentals OF trade unionism,
have been governed strictly by the gen
eraI principles and programme OF tn
American Federation of Labor. Thes
persistent attacks to make my persona
opinions an Issue are simply designed I
defeat the hopes OF 100000 men In TIL
campaign"
But that issue Is here; It has bee
made" said Senator Kenyon.
4 81 do not object to discussing a.
. these things with the committee, but
. do protest against furnishing an op
; portunfty to biassed newspapers TO IL
, about ii as they have been doing a
along" replied Mr.. Foster. "A genera
reputation of that pamphlet and OF
the doctines In II Is sufficient"
And you do make that general re
pudiation?' asked Senator Kenyon.
Makes General Reputation.
.I do" Foster finally said. THE con
duct of the strike has been in no wis
affected by my personal views. 1T
quite possible that at times oven MI
. Gompers may not agree with all IN
. policies and proceedings of theSAmertsa
Federation of Labor. however innuentis
he is In It, Neither do l. but ! haV
avoided following ideas contrary to II
doctrines. because / am convinced tina
: its. methods are those best calculated I
improve the lot Of the workngmen-
, am willing to stand or fall on what
have done.
: .'Ycur personal opinions" suggeste
Senator Walsh (Mass,), may not b
important to the committee, but the
might influence other men. and the e.
tent to which they have been promu
gated among the men Of these organiza
: tons Is important. Therefore the Ser
: ators feel that they are entitled to kno'
( about your views"
'sThere are among US some friends
labor unions, who nevertheless are q
war with the employment of violence
interposed Senator Borah. Il am one c
these myself"
And 1. too." interjected Senator NJ
: Kellar
IF you have changed your views
i continued Mr. Borsh. you could M
3 render a greater service TO your caus
b. and to. the public than by telling the e,
tent of that change. Personally ! shout
lbe prejudiced against any cause in wsic
: YOU engaged II thought you still entei
tain the same views that were espresso
in that pamphlet"
: Fears Publieity's Eject.
: IT have said that did not" Teplie
Mr. Foster. but have not desired tha
nv opinions should be made a subject {
= editorial controversy to the possible II
Jury OF our cause"
! -"Oh, WELL" suggested Senator Boral
''the public has come to care less an
a @s &@ @s @s sas 81 @S 81 is