Samuel Gompers: In His Own Words-ush u3 activity

CHILD LABOR 1891: There seems to me no money that is so iniquitous or that is more dishonorable to us as a nation than that insatiable greed which drags the children into the mills and factories and grinds their young bones into dollars. To me it seems that the child of the nineteenth century should be something more than a machine.(Vol. 3: Rocky Mountain News, Feb. 28, 1891) -Gompers supported child labor because he felt it gave children a better understanding of machines. -Gompers believed child labor to be among the most heinous acts committed by capitalists.

Gompers believed child labor to be among the most heinous acts committed by capitalists.

WOMEN 1891: Among the things we advocate is that women should have equal suffrage with men.... We not only work for equality of suffrage, but work to fight and obtain equal wages for her.(Vol. 3: Rocky Mountain News, Feb. 28, 1891) -Gompers believed that women should have the vote, plus equal pay for equal work. -Gompers was unwilling to work for women suffrage, but would work for equal pay for women.

Gompers believed that women should have the vote, plus equal pay for equal work.

TRADE UNIONISM 1887: I have said before that the Knights of Labor is a body capable of immense good. It could, in harmony with the trades unions, do anything under the sun.... I was for 12 years a true K. of L., but when they would force upon me what I would not permit my employer to do it was time for us to part. How many of you, if your employer said you should not belong to a labor union, would accept this dictum?... The Knights have formed an organization for educational purposes, but the union is the body that fights the battles between capitalist and employee.(Vol. 2: Baltimore Sun, Apr. 7, 1887) -Gompers wanted to remain with the Knights of Labor, but they asked him to leave. -Gompers wanted a union that would work for the employee only, not the factory owner, too.

Gompers wanted a union that would work for the employee only, not the factory owner, too.

IMMIGRATION 1912: At the outset, I want to say that the organized labor movement of America is not a 'know-nothing' organization. It does not want to erect a wall around the borders of our country and keep everybody else out; it does not declare 'America for Americans,' or for those who are now within American borders. But on the other hand it is equally true that the thinking workingmen of the United States have...come to the conclusion that there must be some better regulation and some limitation.(Vol 8: Testimony, U.S. Congress, House Committee on Immigration and Naturalization, Feb. 29, 1912) -Gompers wanted immigration limited and regulated, but did not believe that the labor movement should be against immigration. -According to Gompers, immigrants were 'know-nothings' and should not be allowed to be part of the thinking workingmen he represented.

Gompers wanted immigration limited and regulated, but did not believe that the labor movement should be against immigration.

SOCIALISM 1915: You are mistaken in asserting that I am embittered against everybody or anything that savors of socialism. What I resent and what I have persistently opposed is any effort that will mislead the wage-earners and delude them with vain hope. There have been so many burdens and so much suffering and so much misery heaped upon those who are called the wage-earners, that I resent with every particle of force within me anything that would perpetuate their suffering or lead them into greater depths. Because I am firmly convinced that socialism is founded upon principles that will not lead out into broader liberty, independence and opportunity, I have done what I could to show men the fallacies of the doctrine of socialism.(Vol. 9: SG to Max Hayes, Oct. 14, 1915) -Gompers was not against socialism per se, but against it because he did not feel socialism benefited workers. -Gompers supported socialism because he felt it would ease the burdens of workers.

Gompers was not against socialism per se, but against it because he did not feel socialism benefited workers.

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT 1883: I do not want it understood that my vote can be purchased for a beefsteak, but that I will vote always for measures that will improve the condition of the workingmen.(Vol. 1: Testimony, U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Education and Labor, Aug. 16, 1883) -Gompers's vote could be purchased, but it would cost more than the price of a beefsteak. -Gompers would always support legislation that would improve labor conditions.

Gompers would always support legislation that would improve labor conditions.

STRIKES 1902: A strike on any scale is merely a trial of industrial strength, an application of the law of 'supply and demand,' so often quoted by labor's opponents. How can a society based on free contract and free competition object to such a method of determining the comparative strength and endurance of capital and labor?(Vol. 6: American Federationist, Aug. 1902) -Strikes, according to Gompers, are really an extension of the laws of supply and demand. -A society based on the endurance of capital and labor should be opposed to strikes, according to Gompers.

Strikes, according to Gompers, are really an extension of the laws of supply and demand.

BLACK WORKERS 1896: This is the attitude of the A. F. of L. on the color question. If a man or set of men array themselves for any cause against the interest of the workers their organizations have the right to say that their membership is barred. It should be at the wrong-doer against labor, it should not be a nationality or a race against whom the doors are barred.(Vol. 4: Locomotive Firemen's Magazine, July 1896) -The American Federation of Labor believed that certain nationalities and races should be barred from participation. -The American Federation of Labor advocated against those opposed to labor, not those of a certain nationality or race.

The American Federation of Labor advocated against those opposed to labor, not those of a certain nationality or race.