The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-24
JOHN MITCHELL AND FRANK MORRISON ALSO
 RECEIVE SENTENCES
Mitchell Is Sentenced to Nine Months in Prison, Morrison to Six Months and All Are Fined Heavily.
 An Appeal Is Taken 10
 Supreme Court.

Washington, December 23@Twelve months in jail for Samuel Gompers, pres ident, nine months for John Mitchell, one of the vice presidents, and six months for Frank Morrisen secretary, all of the American Federation of Labor, was the sentence imposed by Justice Wright, or the supreme court of the District of Columbia today for contempt of court in violating an order previously issued. enJoining them from placing on the "un- fair or I've don't patronize list the Bucks Stove and Range company of St Louis, Mo.
 All three of the defendants were in court. Notice of an appeal to the court Of appeals of the District of Columbia al once was filed, Gompers being re- leased on $50oO bond Mitchell on $4OoO and Morrison on s9O00
 In addition to the wife and daughter Of Gompers there were present a num- Der of local labor leaders, and others who were attracted by the notice that a de- cls1on in the famous case would be an- nounced today. Mir Gompers' family were vsbly affected
 With tears coursing down his cheelss President Gompers heard the order of the court, which condemned him to prison for year. Both Mitchell and Morrison seemed stunned by the sentence although Mitchell appeared to be the least con cerred
 Gompers Talks.
 Asked if he had anything to say why sentence should not be pronounced. Presi- dent Gompers declared that he had not consciously violated any law There was much he would like to say he said, but he could not do it at that tme He add ed, however, that this Is a struggle of the working people of our country, and it is a struggle of the working people for the right. It is a struggle of the ages-a struggle of the men of labor to throw off some of the burdens which have been heaped upon them; to abolish SC me of the wrongs and to secure some of the rights long denied"
 Mitchell and Morrison confined them selves to an ndorsement of what Com pers had said.
 The decision of Justice Wright, which consumed two hours and 70 minutes in reading, was one of the most seathing arragnments that ever came from the bench in this city
 Defiance Proclaimed.
 nverywhere' the court said, 'all over. within the court, and without, utter rampant, insolent defiance IS heralded anl proclaimed until refined insult
 
 the litigants' conception of the tribunals due, wherein his cause still pends"
 '"rhe laws command has been," he said would unlaw the land are public enc rrntter can be ascertained."
 But. he said, there had been a studied determined. defiant conflict, 'precipitated in the light of open day between the oecrees of tribunal ordained by the gov eminent of the federal unon and of tho tribunals of another federation grown up in the land One or the other. he de- clared, must succumb, for those who would unlaw the land are public ene- mies"
 RooseveIt's Probable Action.
 Whether President Roosevelt will take any action, as he has been urged to do, in telegrams received from different labor organizations throughout the country in connection with Justice Wrights decision. has not been decided. 1t was stated at the White House today. It was explained there that the President las not read the decision. and therefore cannot say if he will take any action There was an animation, however, that some action might be taken if he should be convinced that the sentence is unjust, if it should be affirmed upon appeal.
 The various labor organizations in pro- testing 10 the President against the sen ----~~------->-----~--~>--
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