Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-11-17
WILL NOT PAY FINE.
If Convicted Gompers Says He Will
Go to Jail Rather Than Settle.

Denver Colo. Nov. 16.-Presid2nt
Samuel GonperS at the afternoon seS-
sion today Of the convention OF the
American Federation of Labor. de-
clared that if lie were found guilty and
fined in the contempt proceedings
against him at Washington he would
60 to iail before he would pay his fine
or before he would allow the fedora
ton to pay any fine Tor him. This
statement was made by M. Gompers
during discu IS ion Of the report of the
committee on the treasurerS report.
| The committee recommended that i'm
mediatcly TO lowing the adjournment
| of the convention, the executive COM
| mittee shall take up the proposition OF
placing its funds where they may be
removed from danger Of attachment.
The repent brought out political
| discussion in which several members
| declared thcinselvC.; iii favor of the
| formation ~ an independent political
| party.
| Treasurer John 3. Lennon said he
had discussed the matter of safe
| Guarding the funds with good attor-
news and they all agree that it was
impossible without resulting at some
time in perjury by some persons. SeV-
| oral suggestions were made from the
floor. one being that the funds be de-
| positcd in Canada and another that
| certificates of deposit be taken out in
| some other name than the treasurer.
G. d. Ramsay of the Electrical Work
prs was applauded when he declared;
| I'VE had a chance to place our funds
bevond the reach of those who would
| take them. but we let it pass on Nov
The only way to protect our money
| is to change the laws
| Mr. -Gompers warned the delegates
| that 70 d way were found to hide the
/ funds the courts would thereafter APP
! pout q receiver, not necessarily to sf-
cure in some way the hidden funds,
| Int TO get the money being contribut-
led SO -
II BY request Mr. Gompers explained
| the statues of the Danbury hat case
Turing which he said:
"Dnder the Sherman antitrust law
honest business cannot be conducted
| much less honest straight forward Ia
| Dor organizations"
| Max Hayes of Cleveland, suggested
| the formation of the Labor party. He,
criticized the Democratic platform In
1
: I'VE Weld to none in our respect
| to the courts
| Mr.. Hayes declared he had no re-
| spect for the courts.
| Mr. Gcmpers again took the floor to
reply to Mr.. Hayes.
| He said the position taken by Mr..
Hayes was illogical, and declared that
| the decisions of the supreme court had
but one object, namely to tie the men
| Of labor to their work, to cripple the
| men of labor in their right to- work
| or their right not to work. That was
| the position, he declared.
| "These DECISIONS" he said, 'Wlll re-
| suit in fattering men today in order to
| eEslave them for all time to come.
| The rights which the courts took from
| The worl.men of Great Britain caused
| he formation of the Labor party, and
having secured their rights to organize
| they have continued and will secure
| other rights.
| Il am not in touch with the Demo-
| cratic party, second / am in a Demo-
rat and third I am confident l never
| will be a Democrat. l owe allegiance
| 20 no party. l am a trade unionist
| May the trade unionists always be
| tight, but whether right or wrong, l
I'm withthe trade unionists.
mo man has denounced the Demo-
| ratio party more than l." Mr.. Gompers
continued, but when the Democratic
oartv made our contentious it's own,
it would not only have been ingrati-
| tude. but cowardice to desert them. If
| BRYAN had been elected with the hosts
of organized labor back of him. 1t
would have given spirit to human free
DOM.
The report Of the committee on the
-reasurer's report with its recommen-
aations was unanimously concurred i'll