Evening journal., 1920-07-30
LABOR TOFIGHT
PAY REDUCTION
Curtailment of Industry Also
to Be Opposed to Last
Ditch
GOMPERS ISSUES
NEW WARNING

WASHINGTON, July 30.-Organized
labor has issued solemn warning that
the wOrkmcn OF The country Will re-
sist TO the last ditch any reduction in
wages or any curtailmcnt in endustry
either as a pre-eloctiOn trick or as a
general policy.
The warning came from Samuel
GOmpers. president OF the American
Federation OF Labor. and was prompt
ed by the recent action Of The Penn
sylvania Railroad in dropping 1900
men and the shutdown OF the mills
OF the Ameriscan WOOlen Co.
'Is the laying on OF workers ask
ed Mr.. GOmpers. "a revival Of the old
and crude policy Of layong or men
during a political campaign for the
purpose Of driving them in fright and
necessity into a political camp2 II so,
20 Is Go b. resisted by organized labor.
In addition TO the laying on Of men
here have been reports Of effOris 10
decrease wages. 10 will be RECALLED
that in 1907 and 1903 employers sought
tO reduce wages. the result Of which
at that time would have been TO pro-
duce a panic. The American FEEDER
alton OF Labor sent out warning that
10 would fight any such move, with
the idea that IL was better 10 resist
and lose than not TO resist a all.
'srhe warning worked, and he pol
icy OF reduction was abandoned. We
repeat that warning today At all
hazards we will resist wage reduc-
tiOns There Is on excuse and much
less reason for a rudectiOn in wages
We will tolerate no reduction. Even
yet we have ground 10 cover before
we restore TO all the purchasing pow
or Of 1918"
Mr. Gompers called attention 10 the
fact that the inductrial interests Oi
he country have been calling for in
creased production.
"F0r months we have heard the
cry. dinned and dinnod and dinncd
into our ears, increase production,
Mr.. Gompcrs said How can a policy
Of increased produ,tion be accom-.
plished under a policy OF laying on
thousands OF workers."
"The action Of corporations that TO-
day lay on thousands or men Is moth
ing less than a tremendous indict-
ment Of management and a heinOus
cnonsc against people in need o
fNrry POSSIBLE ounce OF production
What IS needed is continuous Oper
ei'c" of Industry The mills and FAC
Cor rs must run. Arrogance. bigotr,
Hnl ocraiir conduct Of employers
Is waste that sOdciy can ill afford
tn rommnni'nr on the closing Of tn
r.N. 0f th Am rican WOOlen Co
81 GoWpofs said:
"Tho Amcr can WOolen Co. increas
rs fs net income 3iC per cent. fO
fgiS over 1914 Thu net increase II
common slOck earnings was 53i pe
rani Since the American Woolen Co
controls So large a portion OF bust
ness Of making wool cloth. being com
monty known as the wool trust" I
may be we'll to go into more detai
REGARDING lis operations
rhere were for the year ende'
December 3i. 1919 after deduction
~ m taxes and charg'S net caring
c. sie77a s0i equal 10 $50 80 per shar
on lho s2oN0m0 % common stOcl
"l'4 % afio~ allowance has been mad
-r- f-~r-d dividonds In 1918 ih
sh0ro on common stocl
'1 9f total Of s1a72 l27 Pres
''foi told his stocl holders tina
90 o.. wear lefi the cOmpan
nl % o-d'r~ suillc ent 90 kec
h'rory fully employed we
~' With good prospects for IN
| ore fOr The entire year. For
'r'frrrios increased approximate
f... anmf during fQf0W