The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-07-25
Judge Jackson Was MercifuI
TO "MOthGr'' Jones
EXPLAINS HIS DECISION
Recognizes Right Of Laborers to Quit
Whenever They Get Ready, But
Thinks Aeitators Have No
Right to Force Them.

Parkersburg, W. Va. July 24.-In the
Mother Jones" contempt cases today
Judge Jackson rendered a decision that
all of the defendants had violated the
injunction prohibiting the union men from
trying to persuade the West Virginia
miners to cease work
In Mother" Jones case he susnended
| Judgment, stating that she had been
found guilty of contempt. but as she was
posing as a martyr, he would not send
her to jail or allow her to force her wav
into jail He said he would hold convie-
tion over her and IL she again violated
the injunction he would sentence her
heavily Thomas Haggerty got ninety
days and five others got sixty days each
IN the Parkersburg Jail. The Hungarians
claiming they had not understood the in
Junction, were released upon the promise
not to violate It again.
Counsel for the imprisoned miners are
preparing for habeas corpus proceedings
In the United States circuit court of ap-
peals at Richmond. Va, alleging that
Judge Jackson had no Jurisdiction in the
case Of Mother Jones and her asso-
cistes.
It Is anticipated that Judge Jackson
will deal firmly with w. B. Wilson sec
retary Of the United Mine Workers. who
has also been held in contempt but who
is at his headquarters in INDIANAPOLIS
District Attorney Blizzard today filed
an affidavit that Secretary w. B. VIII
son violated the restraining order of June
10 by making an imhammatory speech at
| IftIx
mont July s. and asked the court for his
arrest. Judge Jackson made the order
that Wilson be arrested and brought
within the jurisdiction of his court.
Judge Jackson, In his decision. defined
the scope and power of an injunction.
stating 1t was the most efficient, IL not
the only remedy, to stay irreparabie in
jury and to punish those who dlsobey the
order of court granting the writ
1T is a mistaken idea," he maintained
ito suppose that the courts of this eoun-
| try abuse this writ
Continuing he said
Does Not Question Right.
II do not question the right of the en-
ployes of this company to quit work at
any time they desire to do so, unless
there IS a contract relation between them
and the employer which should control
their right to quit. At the same time I
do not recognize the right or an en-
| ployer to coerce the employees to continue
their work when they desire to quit
while l recognize the right of all la
borers to combine for the purpose of pro-
tecting all their lawful rights, 1 do not
| recognize the right of laborers to con-
| spire together to compel employees, who
| are not dissatisfied with their work In
| the mines to lay down their picks and
shovels and to quit their work without
a just or proper reason therefor, merely
to crafty professional set of agitators,
organizers and walking delegates who
roam all over the country as agents for
some combination, who are vampires that
live and fatten on the honest labor of the
coal miners of the country, and who are
busy bodies, creating dissatisfaction
among a class of people who are quiet.
well disposed and who do not want to be
disturbed by the unceasing agitation of
this class of people.
I'm the case we have under consdera-
ton these defendants are known as pro-
fessional agitators, organizers and walk
ing delegates. They have nothing in com
mon with the people who are employed
in the mines of the Clarksburg Fuel COM
paDy.
Equity Invoked.
THE strong arm of the court of equity
is invoked in this case. not to suppress
| the right of free speech, but to restrain
and inhibit these defendants, whose only
purpose is to bring about strikes by try
ing to coerce people who are not dis
satisfied with the terms of their employ
mentS which results In inflicting injury
and damage to their employers as well
as the employees.
The right of a citizen to labor for
wages that he is satisfied with is a right
protected by law and is entitled to the
same protection free speech and
should be better protected than the
abuse of free speech in which the organ
izers and agitators indulge in trying to
produce strikes"
Jones speech near the Kinnikinnick
mines, saying her utterances were the
outgrowth of the sentiments of those
who believe In communism and anarchy.
The evidence showed that Mother
Jones had called the miners slaves; said
she did not care anything for injunc-
tions: that 1t was a duty to urge the
men at work to lay down their tools, and
advise the men to strike; that the Judge
was a hireling of the coal company, and
the coal operators were all robbers. She
said in her speech to pay no attention
to Judge Jackson or to the court; but
just make the miners lay down their
tools and come out.