Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-08-21
Harding Speech
Was Unfortunate
Belief Of GOnpers

Washington, Aug. ~ - Samuel
Gompers. president of the American
Federation of Labor, expressed the
opinion today that President Harding
had added to the difficulty of the
present industrial situation by his
message OF yesterday. and likewise
had chosen an unfortunate time for
its delivery.
The labor chief in a critical discus
sion Of the message announced that
his organization would oppose any
legislation carrying out the susges-
tons that the railroad labor board be
given power to enforce it's decisions
or TO allow the federal government to
punish crimes against aliens such as
those alleged to have been commit
ted during the Herrin, ILL.,, massacre.
He described the Presidents propos-
ais for legislation to control coal dis
tribution as "probably Impractical"
1T was unfortunate that the prCsi-
dent should have gone to Congress
Yesterday" Mr.. Gompers said. The
coal miners had just effected an
agreement with a part of the bitumi-
nous operators. On the morning he
fore the President spoke, the repre-
scntatives of railroad workers and
executives of the railroads were in
conference over the rail strike. Pro
gress was being made. but they took
recess over TIE noon hour. When
the executives came back in the aft
crnoon, AFTER hearing of the Presi-
dents speech. they were in differ
cnt mood. The meeting adjourned.
ut is a matter of common know
ledge that Senator Watson, Repub-
, the House was 4 representative of
! Zig business, and before his election
10 tho Senate was a lobbyist, and is
! now believed to have close relations
with the President, was in frequent
/ communication with the executives in
New York. notwithstanding, until
( the President spoke, it seemed the
matter was being worked out to the
| satisfaction Of both sides. He could
| well have deferred to await cooler
and later judgment of the situation
II was misapplied psychology to GO
when he did"
| In declaring that labor would. re :
! s.st legislation to give The railroad
I lah or board power to enforce its de-
Cisipns, Mr. GOmpcrs expressed faith
! that the people viii not give up the
\ principles OF guaranteed freedom, and
/ that Congress VIII not enact law
\ u deprive working people of the right
. to strike"
! Such measure, lie said would
mean slavery" and that "railroad
workers would have 10 go to work
whether they felt like IL or not"
I'm not willing to believe the Pres
idont had in mind fun consequence
/ Of his act Mr.. Gompels commented.
IF there can he compulsory labor for
/ working people, will it not raise the
proba biity OF enforcing labor on
every one, whether wage earners or
not?"
| while the f1'rrin massacre was a
nasty piece of business" which no.
| body could Justify, there was no roa-
son in It TO override the constitution
| ana set aside the rights Of states" bv
giving the federal government power
to protect aliens, he argued.
! What is in The back of the heads Of
those who father this sort Of Iegisla :
ton is that it might be used as a
method Of giving federal protection to
aliens while using them es strike
breakers" he said
Mr. Gompcrs also criticised the pres