Show labor bor ln for r Q cpr I 1 president james oconnell 11 of the international ter association of machinists the other day made the following statement in writing to the associated press there has been going the rounds of the gold standard press ot of the country a supposed interview with me sent out from new york in which I 1 am quoted as having said that I 1 was in favor of the single gold standard and that the international association of machinist of which I 1 am the executive was strongly in favor of the same tearing fearing that the adoption of free silver would mean the reduction of wages throughout the country 1 I wish to say to those who are interested in knowing my views on this important question that I 1 ha have ye never had the interview referred to I 1 have not been in new york city for several months month neither have I 1 discussed the question with a newspaper representative in any manner or form the supposed interview misrepresents me and is a malicious falsehood from beginning 1 to end the international association 1 of machinists at their last lant convention declared in favor of the free and unlimited coinage of silver at the ratio of 16 to 1 the american federation of labor at its last three conventions decided oh the same lines and I 1 could not honestly represent either organization I 1 if the supposed interview were true I 1 am in favor of the tree free and unlimited coinage of gold and silver at the ratio of 16 to 1 notwithstanding 1 newspaper reports to the contrary I 1 speak my views on this question I 1 have no right to speak tor for others it is a fight between the masses and the classes and as I 1 have always been with the masses I 1 shall continue to do battle in the future I 1 JAMES OCONNELL |