"Capitalists are insane in their view toward the trade unions," declared Mrs. Gifford Pinchot, wife of the ex-governor of Pennsylvania and amateur strike-leader, in an address before the Liberal Club at Phillips Brooks House last night.

Describing conditions that exist among Pennsylvania workers, she cited the case of a silk factory in Allentown employing young workers at "the disgraceful wage of $.65 to a $1.25 a month." It was the report of these conditions that influenced Congress to put a minimum wage law in the N.R.A.

"Violence in a strike occurs because the police are using their power to break up the strike rather than to keep order impartially," she added, citing cases to prove that where the police were impartial, the strikers never were disorderly. "Strike leaders believe that they can best obtain their ends peacefully."

"In one case a peaceful strike leader was seized, beaten up, almost stripped in the streets, taken to jail, held incommunicado, and finally put in an insane asylum in another county." Mrs. Pinchot revealed that it was through her endeavors that he was finally found and released.

In response to the question as to whether the Communistic party had an influence on unions, she declared that it makes no difference whether they had or not. "The important factor is whether they are sincere. Some leaders are dominated by the employers."

Telling of her recent trip in the South Sea Islands, she said, "A native woman kissed Mr. Pinchot while saying that he was a replica of a recently deceased Samoan chieftain."