The New York herald., 1922-08-20
Gompers Says Speech to Con-
gress Is Case of Misapplied
Psychology.
WILL BLOCK SETTLEMENT
Labor Leader Thinks Sugges-
tions Caused Delay in Set
tlement Moves.

Special Dispatch to THE Nrw York HEaALD.
New York Herald Burcau.
WnshlnEtso. ID. G.. Aug. ID.
President Harding's address to Con-
gress on the industrial crisis and the
attitude he took In discussing labor
had the effect Of tossing a monkey
wrench in the machinery Of the peace
conference in progress in New York
between the rail executives and the
leaders of the brotherhoods. in the
opinion Of Samuel Gompers. president
Of the American Federation Of Labor.
Mr.. Gompers declared to-day that
the Presidents appearance before Con-
gress and the tone he adopted was a
bad case of ''misapplied psychology
which halted the progress OF what ap-
peared like hopeful negotiations.
Yesterday morning" said Mr.. Com
pers, "the representatives of the work.
ers were In session with the railroad
executives. Progress was being made
for a settlement of the strike. They
took a recess to meet in the afternoon,
and I am Informed that the executives
manifested different mood and as
sumed different attitude after they
had learned the nature % the Presi-
dents message.
II repeat that I consider II quite un-
fortunate for the President TO have de-
livered his address to Congress yester-
day. because OF the situation in which
It seemed that matters were being
M IN ~
OF both parties to the controversy. 1t
seems to me misapplied psychology.
Wrong Time, He Thinks.
"The President said he did not be-
lieye Congress could do anything to
alleviate the present situation as FAR
as executive action Is concerned. For
this reason alone. apart from the deli
cate situation in New York. the address
OF the President might very well have
been deferred to a time Of cooler Judg-
ment when these controversies were ad-
justed one way or another
Referring to the portion of the Presi-
dents address suggesting that at some
future time the transportation act
should be amended so as to give more
power to the railroad labor board, Mr..
Gompers declared that It. could mean
only one thing namely, that the board
should be given power to prevent men
from going out on strike. or in case OF
disobedience put them in Jail.
Il am not eager to believe he con-
tinued, that the President has in mind
the full consequences of such recon-
mendation. II there is to be compulsory
labor we may well raise the question
whether compulsory labor may be
forced on every one and not on wage
earners alone, as this recommendation
would suggest. ~
II have a constant and abiding faith
that In the last analysis the common
sense OF the American people VIII pre-
vail and that they will resent any at
tempt to make them give up those prirs-
ciples Of freedom for the mere reason
that some men OF high financial connec-
tions or subservient politicians are dis
posed to head that way.
Has Faith In Congress.
IT have every confidence that the Con-
gress will never pass a law OF that char
acter What constitutes slavery? The
slave must work when ordered by his
owner or his master or by those who
have supervision over him. The only
thing that distinguishes him from the
free man is that the latter need not
work against his will and has the right
TO stop work when he sees nt."
Turning 10 the question OF interference
with train service and the alleged de-
sertions by reason OF which the Admin
istration proposes to invoke the Sherman
act TO prosecute for conspiracy, SYM
pathetic strikes and secondary boycott
on the part of railroad workers. MIR.
Gompers declared the President was
Continued on Pare Three.