side and with such sentiments aroused no possible power can prevail against the people's might.

In the lowering clouds of social strife I see a welcome light. The mere fact alone of such a gathering as this shows that the age of reason is dawning, and when men reason everything is possible.

Other speakers of the morning were, M. M. Garland, former president of the Amalgamated Iron and Steel Workers; Samuel Gompers, president of the American Federation of Labor, and John W. Hayes, secretary and treasurer of the Knights of Labor. The latter remarked that as some of those who had been assigned to talk on the side of labor were not present, he felt that he should be accorded more time than that allotted other speakers.

Cockran moved unanimous consent to an extension of the speaker's time. Mr. Hayes declined to accept an extension as a concession. He demanded it as a right. There was confusion in the galleries, and without any formalities, the chair closed the incident by intimating to Mr. Hayes that he would probably find the ruling in his case sufficiently elastic.

SAMUEL GOMPERS.

President American Federation of Labor.

Mr. Gompers' subject was "The Control of Trusts." He said in part:

We are all conscious of the giant strides with which industry during the past decade has combined and concentrated into the modern trust. There is considerable difference of opinion, however, as to what is regarded by many as an intolerable evil.

Organized labor is deeply concerned regarding the "swift and intense concentration of the industries," and realizes that unless successfully confronted by an equal or superior power there is economic danger and political subjugation in store for all.

But organized labor looks with apprehension at the many panaceas and remedies offered by theorists to curb the growth and development or destroy the combinations of industry. We have seen those who know little of statecraft and less of economics urge the adoption of laws to "regulate" interstate commerce and laws to "prevent" combinations and trusts, and we have also seen that

JOHN W. HAYES.

General Secretary and Treasurer Order Knights of Labor.

Mr. Hayes, speaking on "The Social Enemy," said:

The question which we are invited here to discuss-"Trusts and Combinations"-is fast pressing itself for solution before the highest tribunal in the nation, the court of final resort, for all questions of public policy, the court of public opinion. It is too vital, too important, to be confined to the narrow limits of commercial affairs, of mere business operation, or mercenary speculation. It touches the very foundations of our free institutions, involves the liberty of the people, the comfort, happiness and prosperity of millions of free men, and the stability of our governmental system, established by the fathers to defend and protect coming generations in their inherent rights, which rights were declared by them to be the gift of nature to all her children.

This question, then, involves more than the trivial matter of production and prices. It goes far beyond the profitable operation of the manufacturer. It rises to the high plane of a government policy, involves the question of human rights, of individual liberty, of the status of the citizen, of the dignity of citizenship, the right of defense, a limit to the power of wealth, a point at which the encroachment of mercenary greed must stop, and a barrier created that will enable us to defend our liberties, our manhood, and our independence.

I shall, therefore, discuss this question only as it bears upon the broad field of human rights, and deny at the outset the moral right of any individual, or combination of individuals, to so monopolize any natural field of industry to such an extent as to be able to dictate the conditions which govern the lives of that portion of society which gains its maintenance by the exercise of productive industry in that particular field. I assert that it is contrary to the best interests of society-indeed, that government has not the constitutional power to enact such legislation as will make it possible for any combination of individuals to so limit the volume of production in any natural field for its own particular advantage, or so create conditions that any individual or combination of individuals may have despotic power over the lives of any citizen or number of citizens.

I further assert and maintain that these great combinations are an assault upon the inherent and constitutional rights of the citizen, and that the real and vital advantage to be gained is the