Washington, D.C., April 22, 1914.
Hon. Henry D. Clayton,
House of Representatives,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:

In view of your commendation of the manner of presenting the suggestion to amend sections of the bill introduced by you April 14, H.R. 15657, in regard to the courts of the District of Columbia, in my letter to you of April 15, 1914, my associates who had the pleasure of a conference with you this afternoon suggest that the subjects matter which we discussed should be presented to you in similarly formal way.1 Hence this letter.

We urge that Section 6 of H.R. 15657 be amended by striking out the following words on line 18, page 5 of said bill, "be construed to forbid the existence and operation of," and that the following words be substituted, "apply to."

That Section 6 of H.R. 15657 be amended by adding the word "organizations," after the word "such" on line 23 of page 5 of said bill, so that Section 6 of said bill may read as follows:

"Sec. 6. That nothing contained in the antitrust laws shall apply to fraternal, labor, consumers, agricultural or horticultural organizations, orders or associations operating under the lodge system, instituted for the purposes of mutual help, and not having capital stock or conducted for profit, or to forbid or restrain individual members of such organizations, orders or associations from carrying out the legitimate objects of such associations."2

It is further urged that Section 17 of H.R. 15657 be amended by substituting "," for "." on line 2, page 16, after the word "thereto," and by adding the following: "nor shall any of the acts enumerated in this paragraph be considered unlawful in any court of the United States."3

With these suggestions the bill will have the entire approval of the American Federation of Labor.

I have the honor to remain,

                                                                                        Very respectfully yours,

                                                                                        Saml Gompers.
                                                                                        President, American Federation of Labor.

Reel 181, vol. 193, pp. 331-32, SG Letterbooks, DLC.