The Washington times., 1908-12-24
Will Go Over Proceedings in
Contempt Case With
BOnaparte
HOPES FOR PARDON
FREELY EXPRESSED
PreCedents Are Against Granting of
the Leaders Application for
Rehearing.

President Roosevelt today met the
sympathetic appeal of labor orEaniza-
tions to prevent the Imprisonment Of
Samuel GOmpers. John Mitchell, and
Frank Morrison, by notifying Attorney
General Bonaparte that he desires to
go over with him the proceedings in the
contempt case
Pending this conference, there Will
be no public announcement made by
the President. Although the White
House does not convey the impression
that the courts action here yesterday
was unjust. the President feels that
the appeals made TO him are Of suffi-
cient Importance to call for his earnest
consideration
1t became known today that shortly
after they left the court house yester-
DAY President Gompers and Vice Presi-
dent John Mitchell hurried TO the Union
Station, where they boarded a train.
Thei- destination is not known among
the labor leaders in Washington, but il
ence Of the labor leaders OF the country
mas been called, to decide as quickly
as possible what shall be the attitude of
organized labor toward the decision just
handed down.
No Attempt Made.
No attempt is made TO conceal the
fact that the sentence passed by JUS
tice Wright is looked upon as a crisis
in the affairs Of the Federation, and
labor leaders in all parts of the coun-
try are demanding that prompt action
be taken by the heads of the OrEaniza-
ton
Only by grace Of the Court Of Ap-
pcals can their cose be carried 10
4. =
States. An appeal from the decision of
Justice Wright, providing for imprison-
ment for President GOmpers, Vice Pres
iGent Mitchell and Secretary Morrison,
has already been taken to the Court OF
Appeals. The decision of that court
will be final. and the men now under
sentence will have no further recourse
under the laws unless the court, in rem
dering its decision, grants writ of
Ccrtiorari 10 carry the case TO the high
est court in the land II no such permis-
sion is granted, then no law can be in
vOked to save the labor officials from
Imprisonment.
The precedents of the court lean heav-
ily toward q refusal to give Wrlts of
certiOrarl- In its entire history in the
District an adverse decision has been
followed by Il writ on only one occasion.
Opinions Differ.
There is a wide variance Of opinion
today as to whether the men will event
ually serve their sentence. The opinions
can easily be classified. Lawyers and
those versed in the practices anC prece-
dents of the courts believe the writ will
not issUe-politicians are confident that
IL Will The latter are placing their
faith on Judge Taft. who will be in the
White House before the Court of Ap-
peals IS ready 70 render a decision. The
decision, IL was learned today, may not
be handed down for at least a year
BY that time, it IS predicted. President
Taft would see his way clear TO grant
a pardon.
Labor and labor sympathizers in
Washington and all over the country
have made protest against the decision
OF Justice Wright yesterday. sentenc-
ing the federation officers to iau terms.
Mingled with these protests and appeals.
are hundreds of coincidence telegrams
on President Gompers' desk. and some
few cOngratulatOry messages, in which
the sendeTs say that labor and the Ia
hor cause has been lifted upward.
Labor Leaders Stunned.
Washington labor leaders were stun
ned by the unexpected sentence. Al
though no decided action has been
taken, plans are being hurriedly made
for a monster mass meeting to be held
in Typographical Temple, the home of
the American Federation. Sunday night.
Similar meetings win, in all PROBABILITY,
be held at the same time throughout
the country
President Roosevelt is being showered
with protests against the courts action,
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