Norwich bulletin., 1922-09-05


 Samuel Gompers. of the American Feder-- ation Of Labor. in Labor Day address, said that the injunction issued against the railway shopmen last week was a violation Of the constitution and the laws Of the land He characterized the ac- tion Of Attorney General Daugherey as exercising a power never dreamed of ir the history of the. depu5lie-"
 The veteran labor chief said the injunc- Ion was wrong in principal and in fact and was a confession that the shopmen have nearly won their strike. He urged that the unions furnish money to sup port the women and children of the men on strike.
 aThs men must fight and take care of themserves." he declared.
 President Harding and Attorney Gen erzl DzuEherty were criticised by Mir. Goupers Tor the issuance of the injunc- ton and he asserted that both had ad- ~ocated legislation 10 bring about "com- bulsory labor" The party of Lincoln which freed the slaves. said Mir. Com pers. is now trying to force compulsory labor on the whites and blacks.
 Mfr Gompers spoke under the auspices of the Central Labor Union of Pfila- deiphiz at Point Breeze Park Frequent heavy showers broke up the afternoon prozragge of the unions outing and it NAa AdAr AAA lAAH Aag NAi-h AAAs dOnipCio began his speech which was interrupted by showers and several times by inter roEators in the closely packed pa- v!ion where he spoke.
 Tn introducing the labor president. John A. Voll. international president of the Eiass bottle blowers union said that according 10 Washington despatiches la Dor leaders have been admoniShed to spcsk carefully or the goblins would A 4b.k ba thop is dead despite the efforts of the Administration to rescue 1t from obli- zion"
 Telling his hearers that he came to Philadslrhia 10 deliver message of none and -encouraEement to men and romsn who believed in freedom. justice and democracy. Mfr. Gompers declared that the present is the time when or ranized labor must more freely resolve to stand for the declaration of inde- pendencs and constitutional guarantees q the republic.
 The labor president said that after the war a drive was made by hostile forces among the employers to reduce wages but that labor refused Ito con sent 10 bend the knee to any industrial Rutoerscy."
 Taking up the cause of the shop men. he said the spirit of real America pas exempiihed by these workers and brought cheers from the rain soaked .rowd when he declared that the "tid' w lower wages has stopped and we sr' sn the road to a better day"
 He mentioned the fact that there hav' ,seu disturbances and that strikers hal ,,en accussd. They are not interferin rith the operation of the roads" he de Jared Let the railroad employers OF rate them"
 wr. C;orners asserted that Mir. Hard inr as senator and president. and Al torHey General Daugherty both advo -ated legislation that meant "compul sorv lahor" Despite the presidents ap peal to congress on August l5. he dc .iared. to put teeth in the railroad Ia hor law. congress has so far refused do SO and Mr. Daugherty Fesorted to tn iriunction more Tar reaching than an ierislat.on. In doing this MT. Gomper asserted that he was exercising pow or never dreamed of in the history ( the republic"
 Mr. Gompers referred to reports tn; he must speak carefully and not viola he injunction. He said that was u way to frighten timid people and chi sren.
 -f wonder who Is 10 do this frighteI inr business" he went on, and mention q reau of investigation, department ustice
 T hold issuance of the injunction the behest of the administration wrong. not only in principle but in fact he labor leader declared. Tt is a col isssion that the railroad shopmen ha' seariy won their strike. If they hs thout lost it. l doubt if the administr lion would have used all its power get the injunction and frighten the Ii out of the men.
 ''The iuiuiction does not sit well Inc minds of men in congress who fused to enact legislation wanted by t ministration, Mir. Gompers asserted.
 He maintained the railroaders we tree men and had the right to strike they wanted 10.
 Mr Gompers had his secretary rel the sixth and twentieth sections of t Clayton act, and resuming his speed seeisred the injunction was a violati f both sections.