The Washington herald., 1907-08-21

we have decided to defend our position
in the injunction proceedings in the courts
to the fullest extent We are violating
no law. nor are we committing any crime.
We are doing merely what we have a
legal right to Go. and we viii continue to
do SO"
Samuel Gompers. president of the
American Federation Of Labor, made the
above statement yesterday when the mem
bers Of the executive council of the Amer
lean Federation assembled at the Typo
graphical Temple, and were served with
summons TO be present at the proceedings
instituted by the Buck Stove and Range
Company against the national councilmen.
The legal summons commanded them
10 appear before Justice Clabaugh. Of the
District of Columbia Supreme Court,
within ten days and show cause why
the writ should not be issued.
Blame Manufacturers Association.
The members Of the council unanimous
ly decided 10 defend the cases IN the
courts and 10 this end the best legal
talent Will be procured. II seemed the
general opinion Of the councilmen that
the Manufacturers Association is behind
the movement
Mr.. Gompers said that the action of or
ganized labor would not be deferred from
its course by corporate powers, but would
continue along as they did before the
writ was published. and that il was his
belief that the labor unions would be sus-
tanned by law. He said further, that the
case would be carried 20 the United States
Court, if necessary, and that the Fedora
ton would make a night TO sustain the
unfair list on the ground of freedom Of
speech and press.
Among the labor men in Washington
il Is thought that the same action IS
likely TO be taken by the Employers As
sociation against the building trades
Van CIeave Makes Statement.
New York. Aug. 20.-James w Van
Cleave. president of the Buck Stove and
Range Company, of St Louis, had some
thing 10 say to-day in regard 10 the suit
which his company has begun IN the Dis
tTict of Columbia 20 restrain the Ameri-
can Federation Of Labor from boycotting
its goods.
My object in bringing this suit" said
Mr.. Van Cleave, lis 10 be allowed 70
manage the affairs of my factory in
way in which my experience and my in
clination tell me 1t ought to be managed,
so long as I violate no contract with my
Sorkmen and assail no law OF the land
The principle Involved is the open shop.
as distinguished from the closed shop"
Mr.. Van Cleave added that in this CON
test he Is fighting the battle Of every self
respecting employer in the United States;
that he is fighting Tor the right OF every
law-abdiug citizen 70 be protected from
attacks from without by an organization
Of individuals or by a Federation Of
Labor.
what do you believe 10 have been the
real melting cause Of the strike in your
factory and the boycott which the Ameri-
can Federation Of Labor has set up
against you?"
The open shop I think from what J
have heard and seen that 1 was singled
out for attack. because had always been
a pronounced advocate Of the open shop
and equal rights FOR all workers. non
union and union, and particularly be-
cause 1 am president Of the National As
sOciatiOn or Manufacturers and Of the
Citizens Industrial Association. of St
Louis, both Of which organizations stand
out Tor the open shop"
Ar- Van CIeave admitted that he had in
sisted on q ten-h0ur instead Of a nine
hour day in his factory. It was necessary
for us 10 run these hours, but. he de-
clared, as employees We're paid by the
piece, and not by the day. It enabled
them 70 earn just so much more money.
Mr. Van Cleave said that he had been
able 20 think Of no effective way OF COM
batting the boycott except through a Fed
eral courts injunction.
IF the unions" be added. were re-
sponsibe bodies which could be forced
TO live up TO their contracts and pledges
would have brought suit in an equity
court long ago"
Chicago Utters Defiance.
Chicago, Aug 20.-It was reported to-
night that the Illinois Manufacturer As
sociation is TO institute proceedings in a
test case against the American Fedora
tion OF Labor. President Fitzpatrick said
that the Federation of Labor will defy
any injunction that may be issued as the
result Of litigation begun at Washing
ton, or anywhere else.
/ FIGHT OVER MOVING PICTURFS