The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-11-17
G0HPERS WILL
NOT PAY FINE
# Contempt Case Goes Against
Him He viii Serve His
Time in Jail.
MEETING OF FEDERATION
INTERESTING PHASES OF THE
GENERAL DISCUSSION.

Denver. Colo. Nov. 16.-President
Samuel Gompers. at the afternoon ses-
sio, of the convention of the American
Federation of Labor today. declared
mat if he were found guilty and fined
IN the contempt proceedings pending
AGAINST him at Washington. he would
"a to Jail before he would pay his fine
or allow the federation to pay il for
him
This statement was made by Mr..
Gompers during the discussion of the
report OF the committee on the treasur-
er's report. The committee recommend
I'd that immediately following the ad-
iaurnment of the convention the exec
utive council shall take up the propo-
sition of placing its funds where they
may be removed from dagger of at
tschment This report brought out 4
political discussion in which several
members declared themselves in favor
6f the formation Of an Independent po-
Htical party.
Declared impossible.
Treasurer John b. Lennon said he had
discussed the matter of safeguarding
the funds with good attorneys and they
an agreed that il was impossible with
out resulting at some time in perjury
, by some person. Several suggestions
we're made from the floor. one being
that the funds be deposited in Canada,
and another that certificates of deposit
be taken out in some other name than
the treasurer's.
D. G. Ramsey Of the Electrical Work
crs was applauded when he declared,
We haa a chance 10 place our funds
beyond the reach of those who would
take them but We let it pass on Nov
8. The only way to protect our money
is TO change the laws"
Mr. GOmperS warned the delegates
that II a way were found 10 hide the
funds 1.-The courts would thereafter ap-
point 2 receiver. not necessarily to Sc
cure in some way the hidden funds-~but
10 get the money being contributed
Dan6ury Hat Case.
By request. Mr.. Gompers explained
the status Of the Danbury hat case. The
lower courts held that there was no
case under the Sherman antitrust law.
but the United states supreme court
had reversed this decision and remand
"a the case 10 the lower court for re-
trial Continuing. he said:
Our standing is menaeed BY the
courts OF law, The matter OF the appl-
cation Of the sherman antitrust law TO
the United States supreme court. No
matter how the Danbury case is de-
cided. that viii not alter the status one
iot. The United States supreme court
has said the final word. and the law
Of this country is that labor crganiza-
liens OF this country are now cOnspira-
cies and combinations in restraint of
trade
Under the Sherman antitrust law
honest business cannot be conducted.
much less honest, straightforward labor
organizations.
Ready 10 Go TO Jail.
Referring to the case against me in
me District Of Columbia. I want to say
VIII never consent that the American
Federation Of Labor shall ever nav one
cent Of any fine for me. [ don't want
lo go 10 JaiL but 1 viii not tam ely sub
nht 10 the Federation being mulcted
LOT me. am not pleading poverty. but
had che means I would not use
tAem IN payment Of any fine imposed
on me for exercising my rights as an
american citizen
Max HAYES Of Cleveland made a So
'iahStic speech but suggested the for
nation Of labor party He criticised
lAe democratic platform. and in regard
W. N'''ib I'l tpN winch SAYS. We yield
u none IN Our respect 10 the courts. -
Mr. HaSs declared he had no respect
iog ID" courts
Reply to Socialist.
PRESIDENT Gompers again took the
Noor 20 reply 20 Mr. HAYES. He said
.2e position taken by Mr. Hayes was
N.oslcal and declared that the deci-
IONS OF the supreme court had but one
.'lecI namely TO tie the men Of Ia
DOT 70 their work. to cripple the men
%. labor IN their right 10 work. or their
ISN'T not 10 work" That was the
opposition. he declared.
These decisions he said. will re-
SUI IN lettering men today in order
m enSlave them for all time TO come
iHe rights which the courts took from
.ae "crlmen Of Great Britain caused
'lr formation OF the labor party. and
having secured their rights TO organ
Lrf they have continued and VIII Sc
cure other rights.
IN the first place I am not in love
Win The Tfar.re.f.F-.a