Weekly Watertown leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1908-1909, 1908-11-20
FEDERATION COMMITTEE RECON-
MENDS THAT INJUNCTIONS BE
TREATED WITH IMMUNITY.
ADVISES JAIL SENTENCES.
President of Granite Cutters Opposes Re.
port While Seamen's Union Head
Would Adopt 1t.
GoMPERS RESIGNS THE CHAIR.

DENVER. Colo, Nov. 19.-President
Gompers resigned the chair to Joseph
f. Valentine. seventh vice president of
the federation. at today-s session of
the convention of the American FEEDER
alton OF Labor when the report on the
presidents report was called for.
1t was decided to take up the report
OF the committee on presidents report
seratum. Each subject in the prcsi-
dents report was commented on and
approved by the committee and as the
reading proceeded the convention en-
dorsed the recommendations of the COM
mittee.
The action Of President Gompers as
told III his report in regard to the Bucks
Stove and Range company injunction
was unanimously endorsed by rising
vote
There was no discussion of the com
mttees report until the subhead Lit
CATION Harrassing Labor" was reached.
Favor Jail Sentences.
On this subject the committee declared
that when a judge issues an injunction
in labor disputes it is the duty of organ
A@SN AubcA " ulSobty anu 40 10 Jdll anu
advised that the funds of the organiza-
ton be not used to defend any such suit
because it would be a useless expendi-
ture.
James Duncan of the Granite Cutters
organization, first vice president of the
federation, opposed the recommendation.
lie said union men are law abiding citi-
Zens and should proceed like any other
citizens to defend themselves at all
hazards. He moved to strike out the
words advising the labor man to disobey
the Injunction
FuTsuth Upholds Report.
President Andrew Fursuth Of the Sea-
mems union, upheld the report of the
committee.
Mr.. Furuseth said the union man was
law abiding citizen and would not
tolerate the breaking of the law on the
part of the judiciary. He opposed
Judge made law"
John Leonard of the Sailors union.
treasurer of the Federation, supported
the amendment of Mr.. Duncan and op-
posed the report of the committee.
Calls 1t Anarchistic.
Frank T. Hawley of the Switchmens
union, opposed the report of the commit
tee, which he termed Revolutionary and
anarchistic.''
Max Hayes of the Typographical I'M
ion, supported the committees report.
He introduced socialistic teachings in his
speech, saying: 1T is the time for strong,
sturdy men to re-enact the stirring scenes
of every revolutionary epoch. If it is
necessary for more men to become
martyrs, | see no reason why our leaders
should not assume that role at this
time and prove to the people we are Il
militant organization.
T. w. Mccullough of the Typoeraph-
zeal union, supported the amendment of
Delegate Duncan. He declared he was
opposed to the doctrine of nOn-resiStance.
Our forefathers fought for their lib
erty," he said, and did not take the
position that if liberty were not granted
they would go to jail
Gompers Takes a Hand.
President Gompers this afternoon
took a hand in the debate.
IF the men and women who have been
cited in injunction suits had shown
craven spirit, l should encourage all
to resist this invasion of his rights But
l know of no such case" said Mr.
Gompers. Il take it the intention of
the committee was to make the situation
acute. 1t is not necessary for US to make
the situation acute. Our enemies have
done this and will continue to do this for
us. They will want their pound Of flesh
and their greed and avarice will be their
own undoing.
when an injunction is issued against
me which invades rights as a man and
a citizen, l am going to resist that in
junction"
Mr.. GOmpers suggested that the entire
matter be referred back to the commit
tee and motion to that effect was
made from the floor. The proposition to
refer back to the committee was defeat
cd hy IN overwhelming vote