The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1908-05-30

cism is human. The protest which
has arisen because the American Fed
Grafton Of Labor quite naturally dis
agrees with the judgment OF the
court reads as IL criticism Of our SUI
preme judicial body had never been
heard before and is II the protest OF
labor had been touched in most un-
becoming terms.
Mr.. Gompers' Position.
Before the judiciary committee Of
the House Of Representatives Mr..
Gompers said (,
II am not endeavoring, nor is it my
purpose, to indulge In such criticism
Of the supreme court or its decisions
that would directly or indirectly cast.
any reflection upon either the Justices
OF the court individually or collective
ly." He stated further that his criti-z
cism was directed solely Ito existing
law as interpreted by the court"
Under these circumstances the
American Federation of Labor is d.
recting all its energies to securing
such legislation as will. relieve the
labor unions from the restrictions
placed upon them by existing law. In
SO doing it is following a course of
conduct open to every American citi-'
zen. Other organized bodies follow a
like practice without drawing upon
themselves the condemnation of the
press. " 1t,
The newspaper publishers Of the
country are at the present time en-
gagged In a contest with the paper
,Rr4$
vision of the tariff which they be-
lieve will relieve them from the exac-
tons Of the. paper, trust. The bankers
OF the country have been loud in their
protest against the currency bills be-
fore congress. The president OF the
American Bankers association, stated
that the whole force Of that organiza-
ton would be, arrayed, against, the
Aldrich financial bill and would use
its efforts to punish politically the
party which should enact such legis-
lations cause no wave Of excitement
In the newspaper press? But when
Mr.. Gompers declares that if. the
measures urged by labor. do not be-.
come laws at this session those re-
sponsible will have to answer In the
designated as threats and ~menaces.
Are not the labor interests OF the
country equally entitled z with other
interests to take advantage of public
discussion Of legislative action and Of
political contention to obtain their
ends? 1855 ..-E = 4 - -ss..}
Another illustration Of misrepresen-
tation which is characteristic is to be
found III the oft-repAatsd declarations
that Mr.. Gofnpers In the hearing at
Washington had threatened that; Is
the demands Of labor were not met. he 4
would organize secret organization. 1
Such q statement is cruelty unjust 4
What he said, as shown by the record.
was: vi: r. s " :s=
Surprising you take our funds
away by dama9 Sc suits : 7suppost1,x YOU
DO send us TO prison because we be.
lieVe that we have 4 right to protect |
that which we, own--raameiy, our
power to. labor; surprising you do
these thing then? You may |
drive ls Into secret organizations,
perhaps not us. but those who win
follow 81 You may drive the men and
women @of labor into organisations
both bound and secret - 4 sS-3s f.s
Even the casual reader Of u these
lines will Observe that It is very
different thing to say that al unde-.
sfrable organization may arise than to |
threaten to form one.
Whatever Be our personal ir1clina-
lions lin these matters, let us have
,airs field and no favor The struggle
the economic forces. always /
present, may SHIFT its & scene, to the
courts and TO the halls of legislat lures
'ut it is always carried on before tha
Drum IS public opini Ion. In thatsfo
I'm forcsa ana proceedings may lack
ne Hls lenaoilia of Il tho
of NV. hut Tot N seek 20 infuse
nto dlecuSsion ~ B much 10 No
Z ef il1sra 20 lity rhichs
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