New-York tribune., 1908-12-25
LABOR MEN PROTEST
SYMP4THY FOR GOMPERS.
White House Flooded by Messages
Protesting against Sentences.

American Federation Of Labor, to jail for con-
tempt of court in violating an order OF the couiI
enjoining them from placing on the unlar VI
1--WE don't patronize" list the Buck stove anu
Range Company of st. Louis, was the ansorp-
ing topic of conversation here to-day, and noth
sides are preparing for a final battle which, II Is
believed will add an important chapter TO the
already famous case.
Many kilograms have reached the "hi'o
House from labor leaders in all parts or the
country protesting against the sentence imposed
on Gompers Mitchell and Morrison Inc FIesi-
dent has turned all of them over TO Atloi"e!
General Bonaparte for such consideration as 1t
may be determined to give them 1t Is expected
that the Presidents mail this subject viii be
bea,-v in the next few days. The President and
the Attorney General will read all OF the tesu-
rony in the case and will then decide wnat &C
ton if any, will be taken.
William J. Bryan chief among nearly
twoscore of men, the majority or WhoIh are
leaders ir the labor movement OF the county
who to-day sent messages expressive Vi 1
cordial sympathy to Gompers MltcheH anu '-'-
rison The messages, which came lroiii e'
section Of the country and voiced the sentiments
of persons In almost every avenue ol iopoi- "
vey feelings of regret over the courts oecisio''
extend moral and financial support and In some
instances express Indignation Mr. Bryan III
q telegram dated Pttsburg, addressed 10 meSsIS'
Gompers Mitchell and Morrison. says; Sorfy
to read decision. You did your duty IN tes1i'is
law Glad you are taking appeal
What action on the part of organized wage
earners will in your opinion. be most useIul 10
re-establfsb freedom Of the press and OF
sneech?" asks H. B. Perham, president OF 'ne
Order of Railroad photographers, IN teies AN
from, e. Louis addressed to Mr.. Gompers
w D Mahon, of Detroit president OF 'ne
AnaIcamated Association Of street f'dii"1'
Emploves expresses sincere regret 't
considers an unjust and un-AInetlo"h
tence" on the labor leaders, ana pieuseS '"p
port of the order. ,,.
The declaration is made by Johh H. 1if-'
o.i7ar,t ~ the United Association of Plumbers,
at Chicago that the decision VIII orlhe u ieo"
ized labor closer together. and he says the com
.,,, ,,eor,a will nrove loyal to Gompers Mitchell
and Morrison Mr.. Alpine Sd! iie ~
as to the result.
On behalf Of the International Steamhtters
Association. J. J. Sullivan, president OF that or
panization. expresses indignation on Verolc'
and conveys sympathy to defendants
That history will place the names OF COM
rers Mitchell and Morrison on the roll OF hohor
with those men who have made real sacrinces
for human uplift is the declaration Of John b.
Lennon treasurer OF the American Feoeratioh
of Labor in a message from Bloomington
III mo court decision" Mr.. Lennon says
.can make YOU criminals at the bar Of pubic
opinion
Declaring that Gompers Mitchell and Morri-
son received "a most glorious Christmas pres
ont" Maurice Mikel of New York City, de-
clares that those who knew Mr.. Gompers kho"
that he is the champion OF labor
+ A Franklin, president. William q. Gll-
+barne international secretary treasurer, and
A Hinzman of the international Brotherhood
of Roermakers at Kansas City, sent a mes
sage declaring that Justice Wright's sentence
, vras .,,niust' THE evidence proves that you
obeyed Judge Gould's order says the message
but human judges retain and reflect the en-
vironment in which they live. This judgment
throttles free speech and free press and tram
pies on the principles OF the American free
man.
On behalf of the entire membership of the
Switchmen's Union, F. T. Hawley, president,
extends sympathy and support.
The whole question of sentencing Gompers,
Mitchell and Morrison will be thrashed over at
| meeting of the executive council of the Fedora
ton to be held in this city on January II next.
| This meeting while regularly scheduled one,
| will be notable undoubtedly 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 its
thirty thousand odd councils and two millions of
! members will be submitted for action, and the
policy Of the Federation. in view Of the Courts
action and scathing arragnment carried In the
! decision, will be outlined.
! President Gompers not at his office to-
day and no information given out there as
| to where he could be found. Secretary Morrison
was at the Federation headquarters, however,
| busy with his routine duties.
Active steps in the framing of the fight against
! the carrying out of the sentences are not likely
,ntil next week. and Secretary Morrison said to-
dey that the plan. far as the officials of the
/ Federation themselves foresaw. was TO do moth
ns a bout it until after the holidays. He added:
1t seems that in the District of Columbia
there is really no limit to the sentence that can
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.
We purpose to exhaust every effort to sus-
I tain our right to free press and free speech
| 7 believe-and 7 am confdent-that the position
! taken bv the Federation is right and that the
! citizens of this country will ratfy the attitude
| OF the Federation in this matter l believe that
| they will give to the trades unionists the same
! rights and privileges that are being accorded
! to trades unionists in Great Britain. as provided
I for by the trades dispute act adopted there two
! wears ago. Mr.. Gompers referred to that act in
! his speech to the court yesterday. Under that
! act a union cannot be mulcted in damages on
! account of a strike
It is not likely that arguments on the appeal
| will be heard in the Court of Appeals Of the
| District of Columbia until March. and perhaps
not then The defendants have forty days IN
| which to perfect their appeal. and upon
! proper showing the Court. in its discretion may
extend the time. It is mandatory. however, that
! the appeal bond must be filed within twenty
! days.
In view of the great importance of the case
! and the widespread interest 1t has provoked