The Washington times., 1920-11-27
GOMPERS ASSA|LS
|. ENEMIES Of LABOR
A. r. of L. Leader Senses PIo:
To StrangIe Influence OF
Organization.

OTydIii<dtI0iI.
There is evidence OF "high handed
rule or ruin inclination under the
great inspiration Of the storm OF
votes for Harding" Ssmuei GompeTs
declares in todsy's issue OF the Amer
lean Federationist In an article JUS
tfyins the election activities OF the
American Federation or Labor.
GOMPERs PASSES LIE.
The article. under the head. RE-
action In the Saddle" denounces the
labor men who supported President
elect Harding.
After quoting an editorial in the
Wall street. which declared that mo
free country can afford to tolerate
sn irresponsible. central Organization
like the American Federation OF La
Dor. with the stupendous annual in-
come Of Sfs.00O.000. in position
where 1t can defy the common law
81 applied TO conspiracy" Gompcrs
says IN part:
HIGH HANDED RULE.
''The statement in the Wall Street
JouranIs editorial is false to an
Emazing degree. But that only in
cresses the evidence of high handed
rule or ruin inclination unaer the in
Sriration OF the great storm OF vot, =
for Harding. What has been ga ned
for humanity through long and pain
ful struggle must now be torn down.
The Clayton act must GO. The Sea-
mems act must go. All protection
for humanity must go. and the work
ing people must DE thrust back again
TO the age when all were at the
mercy OF the autocrat.
1T will be proper now for some OF
neahinO' Ia ahnr sfnrrneF'
leading labor men to take comfort
from the course they have pursued in
view OF the Illuminating editorial
published by the Wall Street Journal,
and IL will be eminently fitting for
them TO consider the viewpoint ex-
pressed in that editorial to the effect
that the election OF Mr.. Harding and
so many representatives of the old
Guard constitutes a mandate to out
law the normal activities OF the
working people.
But II reaction considers the cleo
tion a mandate TO destroy human
freedom. IL H. mistaken and II viii
discover its mistake.
NOTES STUDIED PLAN.
"The movement began some months
ago by associations OF employers,
similar to that which President-elect
II ATOlnE Is a WernDtT IN 'ni''
TO destroy collective bargaining and
TO break down trade unions has found
great encouragement in the election
results in general. Whether there is
real justification for the view that
this optomism in reactionary circles
is TO be given official encouragement nj
remains TO be seen, but fears may be
expressed properly.
"Much may be read between the
lines by those who give study TO the
plunGinE and swayinG or the great
markets. There Is evidence enough
Of the intention OF the hostile and
tho unfair and the unthinkinE TO de-
stroy the standards that have been
built By American labor.
There Is every Indication OF wan
ton and shocking blindness on the
part of those employees who arc tNpi-
fed by Judge Gary, and in their or
Canizcd capacity b. tho tnitco state
chamber OF Commerce., the National
Association o; Manufacturers. tho
National Directors Association, and
kindred associations that go 10 make
up tho group OF bitterly individualist
employers.
DREAM or OLIGARCHl.
"Thc dream of a great oligarchy Of
employers has been in the minds OF
those who now speak cAultinEiE.
They have long hoped for a day in
which the workers would be helpless
and without organization OF their
own. Despite this hope. the workers
have constantly increased their
strength. constantly enlarged their
organizations. constantly advanced
the concept OF democracy in industry.
IF the great employers. bcreft of
their better judgment by tie sweep Of
reactionary politics. victory. estimate
this 10 be the hour for similar as
sault upon the democracy alread.'
achieved in industry. they are gravely'
mistaken. This is not the hour-nor
will that. hour ever come"