The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1908-12-30
ILLINOIS SENDS
A.GREAT PROTEST
HALF MILLION TRADES UNION.
lists WIRE TO PRESIDENT.
ON BEHALF OF LABORlTES
Mr.. Roosevelt Asked to Use Influence
to Prevent Imprisonment Of
Gompers, Mitchell and
Morrison.

Morrison.
Springfield, ILL.,, Dec. 25.-The $780,.
600 trades unionists of Illinois, through
their officers, Thursday, sent protests
to President Roosevelt against the
sentencing of President Gompers, Sec.
rotary Morrison and Member of Exec
Tive Board Mitchell of the American
Federation of Labor, and asking him
to use his influence to prevent their
Imprisonment. The communication is
as follows:
springfield, ILL.,, Dec. 24.-Hon.
Theodore Roosevelt, president of the
United States, Washington, d. G. In
the name Of 100000 trades unionists
of the state of Illinois, we desire to
protest against the decision of the
supreme court of the District of Co.
lumbia, committing to servitude those
great commoners and representatives
of the American labor movement, Sam
uel Gompers John Mitchell and Frank
Morrison.
These men may be guilty of a
breach of law, but law that denies
the use of free press and free speech
is breach of the fundamental princi-
pie of our country. Such decisions only
tend to create anarchy and class ha-
tired.
1--WE respectfully solicit your inf1u.
ence to prevent the incarceration of
these men.
"On behalf of the Federation of La
| Dor,
Edwin A. Wright, president"
Council to Discuss Sentence.
! Washington, Dec. 25.-The whole
| question of the sentencing for con.
tempt of court of President Gompers,
Vice-President Mitchell and Secretary
Morrison of the American Federation
of Labor by Justice Wright in the SUI
preme court of the District of Colum.
bia will be thrashed over at meeting
of the executive council of the fedora
ton to be held in this city on Jan
uary II next.
This meeting, while regularly
scheduled one, will be notable, un.
doubtedly, because of the vital issues
affecting labor involved in the action
of the court Resolutions sustaining
the attitude Of the leaders of the big
organization, with it's 3O,OOOOdd coun-
ellis and 100000 members, will be
submitted for action, and the policy
of the federation, in view of the courts
action and scathing arraisnment car
ried in the decision, will be out
lined.
No Limit to Sentence.
President Gompers was not at his
office Thursday and no information
was given out there as to where he
could be found. Secretary Morrison,
who was given the lightest sentence Of
the trio of leaders-six months-was
at the federation headquarters, how
ever, busy with his routine duties.
Active steps in the framing of the
fight against the carrying out of the
sentences are not likely until next
week, and Secretary Morrison said
Thursday the plan so far as the off,
Gals of the federation themselves FORE
see is to do nothing about it until
after the holidays.
ut seems" says Mr.. Morrison, that
III lAC blSlllCL VI llltIe is |
reality no limit to the sentence that
con be imposed for contempt Of court.
In a great many states there is a
limit. In New York, for instance, six
months is the maximum.
Will Fight for Free Speech.
1--WE purpose" he added, ito ex-
haust every effort to sustain our right
to a free press and free speech 1
believe, and am confident that the po-
sition taken by the federation is
right, and the citizens of this coun-
try will ratify the attitude of the fed
GRAFTON in this matter. I believe that
they will give to the trade unionist
the same rights and privileges that are
being accorded to trade unioniss in
Great Britain, as provided for by the
trades dispute act adopted there two
years ago. Mr.. Gompers referred to
the act in his speech to the court
Wednesday, Under this act a union
cannot be mulcted in damages on &C.
count of a strike"
Have Forty Days for Appeal.
1t is not likely that arguments on
the appeal will be heard in the court
of appeals of the District of Column
bia until March, and perhaps not then.
The defendants have 40 days in which
TO perfect their appeal, and upon
proper showing the court in it's dis
erection may extend the time It is
mandatory, however, that the an.
peal bond must be filed within 20
days.
In view of the great Importance of
the case and the widespread interest it
has provoked throughout the country, |
1T is the general feeling here that the
hearing before the court of appeals
will be lengthy one, bringing to-
gether noted counsel on both sides.