Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-09-10
Over Protests Of eonpt's, loih.
500 and nRchlp, Proceedings
arc Postponed IWa Weeks
Their Accussas nor READI
Mr. Gompers' Response Was Lengthy
he Admits Accuracy Of Quota
tions from His utteranees, But D.
nies That Expressions Constituted
Contempt Of Court.
(By Associated Press).

(Dy Associated Press).
WASHINGTON, ID. C., Sept. 9-Thc
legal proceedings against President
Samuel Gompers. Secretary Frank
Morrison and John Mitchell, Of the
| American Federation Of Labor. In
which they were charged with con-
tempt OF the Supreme Court OF the
District OF Columbia on account or
acts and utterances apropos OF tho
Judgment OF that court directing them
to cease publishing the name OF the
Bucks Stove and Range Company In
their we don't patronize' list. were
virtually postponed for two weeks al
ter a brief hearing today. Justice
Could of the Supreme Court presided
: The postponement was taken Mt
the instance OF counsel for the stove
company and in opposition TO the ex-
pressed wish Of Mr.. Gompers and his
associates, who complained OF the de-
law as expensive and unnecessary, 1t
was stated in behalf OF the company.
however that II would be necessary
to examine witnesses as to the issues
made by the petition and the an
swers, and Justice Gould. saying that
he saw no necessity for great haste
ara gsEIng .ss $3.50 hilits -. Mnr1-
ing both sides D fun opportunity 60
be heard. granted the request. ne
appointed an examiner to take testi'
| mony. gave each side thirty days ana
announced his own willingness to SIT
in the case after the facts shall nave
been ascertained.
Defendants Object to Postponsment.
! Judge Alton d. Parker. took an &C.
tive part in presenting the defense
+ OF Messrs. Gompers, Morrison ana
Mitchell
| He took occasion to indicate that
he had not sanctioned the appifca-
ton made in behalf Of his clients
for a Jury trial, and in behalf OF his
fellow counsel as we'll as for him.
self withdrew that application. he
made an earnest plea against the
| post ponement of the Gaze.
| The taking Of testimony Will be-
gin next Friday.
! In their answers to the petition
of the Bucks Stove and Range Com
panv to have Samuel GOmpers, John
Mitchell and Frank Morrison. Of the
American Federation Of Labor, pun
ished for contempt, on the charge Oh
violation of the order Of Justice
Gould they asked that the issues be
tried before a jury and not by jus
|tice Gould alone.
Most of the specifications Of the
! petition relate to publications In the
! American Federationist. Of which MI
Gompers is editor and to public al
dresses made by him. and his re-
sponse IL Of much greater length
than those Of Messrs. Mitchell ana
Morrison. both Of whom profess u
no-ance as to the majority Of the Ut
terance quted. For the most part.
Mr. Gonpers admitted the correctness
OF the quotations from his speeches.
interviews and editorials. but he de-
ciarcs tina, meme Of them were IN
tended to be In contempt o! any de-
cree Of the court
(; The principal charge made In the
petition refers TO criticisms. OF the
Injunction which we're made BY Mr.
Gompers in an editorial pub'ished IN
the Fcderationist for February 1sos.
IN which he characterized the intunc-
ton as an invasion OF the liberty OF
the press and OF the right Of free
speech and further said II would he
inn ssi bic to comply with all Its
terms. Replying TO tbs charge. MI
Gompers. Mr.. Mitchell and Mr.. Nor
rison united In saying:
compars Says Criticism Temperate.
ANSWERING the seventeenth para
graph Of the petition. this respondent
saws that the editorial therein re-
fcrrcd TO is only to BE- undeTstood
properly by being read in IT, entirety
and he accordingly. for the full con
tents thereof. refers 20 the Tics OF
this court. He denies that said edi-
toriaI constituted In any respect con-
temp, Of court. OF that u vas In any
degree disr.spcctfui Of the action o!
tho court. On the contrary he saya