The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-09-25
Claims lnjunCtiOnS Did Not
Interfere With His Con-
Stitutional Rights.
ALLEGES
HIGH CONSPIRACY
Declares That Case Is But Begin
ming of Endless. Legal
Prosecutions.

Winding up his testimony in the con-
tempt proceedings before Referee Harp
er today. President Samuel Gompers of
the American Federation Of Labor.
charged that the entire proceeding was
an attempt to curtan his right of free
speech and editorial comment.
In answer 10 questions put 10 him by
his attorney. he said that be did not
believe that the injunction order against
him had deprived him of his constitu-
tiOnel rights. and he did not believe
that his right 10 editorial utterance and
free speech had been forfeited because
Of the institution Of the contempt pro-
ceedings against him
He declared further that IN his opinion
he was not eujoined from editorlally
anaIyzing the decisions OF Justices Cla-
baugh and Gould and 10 discuss them in
the columns Of the American Fedora
tionist-
Claims Conspiracy Exists.
Answering the repeated objections by
Daniel Davenport. counsel for the Buck
Stove and Range Company. against the
admissIbiuty Of evidence. AIr- RalstOn,
of counsel for Mr.. Gompers. declared
that il was his intention 10 show that
the American Federation OF Labor and
the officers of that body were the vic
TINS Of a cruel war waged against ther1
by three bodies of organized capital and
hired lawyers, who worked 10 in1ure
and destroy every body of organized
labor, If that were possible.
Mr.. RalStOn charged that the proceed
ings were not brought by the prosecu-
ton 10 obtain a judgment for contempt,
but more for the purpose Of obtaining
data upon which TO base endless legal
"a 10
statement when the testimony offered
bv him was objected TO by Mr.. Daven-
port He maintained that he had a
perfect right % show the existence Of a
gigantic conspiracy against organized
labor
Follows Up Charge.
When President Gompers resumed his
testimony this morning. he followed uf
the bribery charges Of yesterday by de-
clarIng that while he was i'll at the
Victoria Hotel, New York-on his death
bed. Il was supposed at the tine-Iu
October last BrOughtOn Branden r.Tg,
whom he had previously accused Of Of
ferfns him "a bTIbe in the name Of Pres
ident Van CleaVC, of the Manufacturers
Association, had brought him letter
10 sign as his dying deposition. The
first page Of the letter. said President
Gcmuers, was filled with fOwery rhe-
toric about his being ready to pass
away, and the remainder was TO have
been filed in after his signature was
obtained.
Mr.. Gompers declared that It Y as the
intention to spread this brOadca 81 after
his death as a renunciation of on ganized
labor After looking over the document,
he said he determined TO keep L in his
possession. with BrandenbeTg' consent
IF he could obtain IL, but 10 keep IL any
way, If il cost him his life. And Presi-
dent Gompers gave the table beside
which he sat a lusty thump by way Of
emphasizing what he said.
Smother Bryan"
Mr. Gompers read from confidential
circular. sent out by the Manufacturers
Association over the signature of Presi-
dent Van Cleave. The circular SAYS
that should Bryan be elected it would
tell the country and the world at large
that radicalism and revolution would
become dominant in the Unitedd States.
IL called upon the business men Of the
country 10 smother Bryan so deep at
the polls in November that they will
never have 20 do IL again.
The entire proceedings were marked
by tits between counsel and the ex-
change Of biting comment.
Denies Gompers' Claim.
u believe Mr.. GOmpers knew it 10 be
a lie when he made theestatement." de-
cIared James W. Van Cleave. president
Of the National Association Of Manu-
facturers. in denying the charges made
by President GOmpers. In a statement
made for publication. Mr.. Van Cleave
said.
Il have never employed detectives or
Intermediates TO shadow Mr.. GOmpers
or any other official OF the American
Federation Of Labor. Neither have ]
offered him a bribe Of any kind, nor
have I ever had any connection with
the men he claims shadowed him and
offered him a bribe.
Every reference made therein TO ne
or to action on my part is false. and ]
believe Mr. Gompers knew IL 10 De a
lie when he made the statements. He
seems TO be trying to make a cheap
martyr Of himself.
4 never have and never will employ
any methods that are not straight.
square. and above board IN my dealings
with organized labor. I make this
statement without eqUivocation."