The San Francisco call., 1907-06-01
WANT JUSTICE UPHELD
Labor Bodies Ask Bar Association
to Aid Graft Prosecutors

The labor bodies of San Francisco,
which have just completed an organi-
zation known as the united unions de-
fense league. sent a communication to
the bar association yesterday recon-
mending that the latter organization
take steps to assist the graft prosecu-
tors in proceeding against persons in
dicted for giving and receiving bribes.
John McWilliams is president of the
league, the membership Of which is
made up of one delegate from each
union body. The letter sent to the bar
association yesterday reads:
To the Bar Association of San Francisco
Gentlemen: We havS observed your commend
able zeal In appointing 20 members of your
honorable association to assist in the nrosecu
ton OF those who may be accused OF disturbing
the peace, and appreciate your valued efforts to
entitled to our thanks and will have our as
sistance and cooperation.
We deprecate all disorder and discountenance
all fnfractions OF the peace.
We would also call your attention to other
violations of the law. the suppression and pun
greater importance than the conviction and Sc
we're sentence Of those guilty of trivial disturb
ances of the peace or use Of improper language.
lt seems to us to be OF the highest Importance
that the sources Of the law. upon which depend
both personal and property rights, should be
kept. pure, and that those who seek or have
sought to pollute these sources should bo vigor-
ously prosecuted and severely punished
The giving and offering Of bribes to executive.
legislative or judicial officers is. to minds,
one of the gravest crimes that be com
mitted. Injuries TO property or person are seri-
GUS and should be severely dealt with. but
damage to property is easily and quickly re-
paired and even the greatest injury to the per-
son can only affect a few individuals at the
most. But when the fountain head of legfsla-
tion and the administration and enforcement Of
law Is vilely corrupted the entire community Is
outraged and the sacred rights OF property and
the liberties and franchises of the whole people
ana OF citizen within the diected ts
violated.
Where the laws are administered by bribe
takers at the dictation Of bribe givers neither
public nor private property Is secure and honest
capitalists who will not stoop to corruption and
crime must retire from competition with those
who regard the bribery Of public officials
commendable enterprise and its concealment by
perjury a praiseworthy proceeding.
We call the attention Of your honorable as
sociation to the numerous indictments Of the
grand jury accusing many persons Of hitherto
highest social standing and Of great wealth "a
necessary tool) Of offering and giving bribes.
The necessity for every assistance to the
prosecution which your learned body can render
must be apparent. and we would respectfully
have furnished to prosecute offenders In the
police courts-who in general very poor,
with little means and few friends-you VIII un-
dertake to aid in the prosecution OF those who
have been guilty Of bribery. notwithstanding
their great wealth the number Of their
Our client the United Unions Defense League,
desires US to call your immediate attention to
this matter. Respectfully,
Attorneys for the United Unions Defense League
of San Francisco.