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Show i Public Has Nothing Superior to Them, Federation Leader Declares J WASHINGTON, June ". JfBy the I Associated Press.) "The public his no rights which aro superior to tha H toiler's right to live and to his right 1 i to defend himself against oppression," IH Samuel Gompers declared in his de- H ' fcrrcd replies to three questions asked H ' him by Governor Allen of Kansas In 1 ' their debate at New York May 23 H Gompers' replies were made public H 'last night. H j Governor Allen asked whether the IH I public had any rights in a strike "af- IH feeling production or distribution of H the necessities of life. thus, threaten H ing the public peace and impairing tho H I public health." and if so how would Mr. Gompers protect those tights. He also asked who controled the ' divine H ' right" of emples to quit work. ,H 1 Strikes in which the public prace ' have been threatened. Mr. Gompers H ' said, "usually have bceh strikes in I which tho employers or public offcial. influenced by employers have created ; the breach of peace by the use of j thugs, armed guards and detccthes" IH "Labor." he continued, "has no de- iH J sire lo cause inconvenience to the jH I public, of which It is a part i "The right to strike must bo and will jH l K mnlntnlnnil lint nillv n n tntnqm'P iH ; of self-defense and self-advancement, lH I but as a measure necessary to public jH ; progress. The strike has won its right j to a post of honor the institutions of jH I free civilization and tho temporary in- convenience it has caused is but a iBH Ismail price to pay for the permanent iH benefits it has brought' As lo Governor Allen's question iH I regarding who controlled the "divine !H I right" to order cruployes to strike, 'H Air. Gompers said strikes were "or- dercd by the majority vote of union JH ! memberships; they are not ordered by H officials at will." |