Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1920-07-29
GOMPERS ATTACKS
CLOSING OF MILLS
Labor Leader Intinates Politics
is Back of Move, Which is
Blow at Production.

Washington July 90 Samuel Gompers
president of the American Federation OF
Labor yesterday cxcorated employers
who cease operations or lay off men. This
Mr.. Gompers did on the ground that
"the nation needs production Such
actions by employers, Mr. Gompers said,
constitutes "heinous offence against
the American people"
The American Wooden Company which
recently suspended operations, and the
Pennsylvania Railroad which laid off
H.. 900 men who were not needed, were
named in particular by Mr.. Gompers.
In his statement the Federation head
limited broadly that political purposes
fnight-bc back of these moves.
"For months we have heard the cry
dinned and dinned into our ears, in
crease production. increase production,
the statement said. "l1ow can policy
of increased production be accomplished
under a policy of laying oil thousands
of workers.
"The American Wooden Mills in Massa-
chusctts closed thier doors. II may
Toe of interest 20 note the record OF
profits for this company and 10 recall
recent statements of President William
W. Wood"
MIR Gompors then said this company
increased profits 3l6 per cent for 1918
over 1914. that the net increase IN com
mon stock earnings was 5i3 per cent
and that for the year ended December
81. 1919, net earnings after dctiuctlng
all taxes and charges were s10,77e ,Soi
on 500. 600 600 Of common stock.
President Wood. Mr. Gomperp con
.inued, told his stockholders that the
close Of the year left the company with
untitled orders sufficient 10 keep the
machinery fully employed we'll into 1920
and with good prospects for full pro-
durtion during the entire wear For
cgn deliveries increased about 100 per
cent during 1910.
Elm addition to this case there il the
action Of the Pennsylvania Railroad IN
LAYING of approximately $1,000. IL re-
ports are accurate. VIII this help move
! freight Will Il helm give the nation
| that increased production Of which u
stands in real nccdP
cor ia the having of of workers a re-
| vival Of that old and crude policy Of lay
| ing of mon during a political campaign
| for the purpcRc If driving them IN fright
| and necessity INTO political camp2
| I'm addition 20 the LAYING off ~ men
/ there have hecn reports uf efforts tn do
| crease wages Il will be recalled that IN
1907 and 1908 employers sought 20 re-
ducc wages. the result Of which at that
time would have been 70 produce q
/ panic
| Mr. Gompers said tho American Fed
Grafton of Labor then sent out warn,
/ ing hat Il would resist resist and re
eisi, and that aH result tho policy Of
/ reducing wages was abandoned.
''Ne repeat that warning today. he
said There is no excuse and much
less a reason for reduction Of wages
/ Even vet we have ground q covcr be
fore we restore 20 all the purchasing
power Of 1919
Workers are increasing their efficiency
Mr. Gompers maintained. and charge
| there IN too infrcquently an eqna
efficiency and integrity and intelligence
on the part Of employers
The mills aud the factories shoulC
| nm. MIR Gompers saId Manage
| mcnt should consult with workers through
chosen representatives II tho workers
The cooperation to be achieved hv suct
| policy will give the nation the produc
ton II needs and is needed by the who'll
world Arrogance hlgotry and auto
cratic conduct # employers IS 3 waste
that society can III afford