The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1908-12-26

pany Case, In Which the Boycott and |
the Injunction Figured-Defendants 7
Released on Bail Pending Appeal.
The famous contempt case Of the |
Buck Stove and Range company
against President Gompers. Vice
President Mitchell and Secretary
Morrison OF the American Federation
OF Labor. was decided by Justice
Wright OF the supreme court OF the
District Of Columbia adversely to the
federation officials.
Gompers was sentenced TO twelve
months imprisonment Mitchell was
sentenced to nine months and Morri
son to six months. The case grew out
of the alleged boycott of the companys
products.
Defendants Released on Bond
Pending an appeal to the United
States court of appeals OF the District
OF Columbia, all three defendants were
released on bail. the amount being
fixed as follows Gompers. $4,000;
Mitchell. $4,000. and Morrison $4,000
Prosecution OF the officials OF the
federation began in August. 1907. The
original action was test case. where
in IL was sought TO enioin the unions
from using the unfair" and 1--WE don't
patronize" lists in their fight against
firms and individuals. Justice Gould
issued an Injunction. which afterward
was made permanent. forbidding the
publication OF the company's name in
these lists.
In an editorial in the Federatioaist
last January Gompers made known
HE intention not 10 obey the order,
contendlng the injunction was issued
in derogatlon of the rights of labor
and was an abuse OF the power OF the
courts.
First vice-president James Duncan
Of the American Federation OF Labor
said:
President May Pardoun.
81 am of the opinion that the par.
doning power of the president could
be used right away In causing the
release OF President Gompers.
'If President Gompers is compelled
TO spend the years term In jail. he
will conduct the affairs OF the fedora
ton from the jail in which he Is con
fined"
with tears coursing down his cheeks
President Gompers heard the order OF
the court Both Mitchell and Morrison
seemed stunned by the sentence. al
though Mitchell appeared TO be the
least concerned Asked IL he had any
lh M
be pronounced President Gompers de-
clared that he had not consciously
violated any law
There was much he would like TO
say. he said but he could not do II at
that time lie added, however, that
"this IS a struggle of the working PEG.
pie OF our country. and II Is n struggle
OF the working people for the right.
II is a struggle Of the ages-a strug-
gle OF the men OF labor 10 throw of
some OF the burdens which have been
heaped upon them: TO abolish some Of
the wrongs and 10 secure some OF the
rights too long denied"
Mitchell and Morrison confined them
selves TO an Endorsement OF what
Gompers had said
The Courts Language.
Everywhere" the court said, "all
over, within the court and out, utter
rampant. Insolent defiance is heralded
and proclaimed unrehned insult;
coarse affront. vulgar indignity meas
ures the lltigants conception Of the
tribunals due"
-. The laws command has been,
anM Justice Wright, TO "Standl
handN. on until Justice for this
matter 4 Gun be ascertained" but.
he said, there had been a stu
uIcu Determined. defiant conflict
~preclnitated in the light Of open day
between the DEGREES OF n tribunal or
dained by the government of the feder-
nj union, and Of the tribunals OF an
other federation grown up in the land
One or the other. he declared, must
snccmmb, FOR those who would unlaw
the land are public enemies"
The various labor organizations In
protesting 10 the president against the
sentence urge him to prevent the In
generation OF the labor leaders. The
Illinois United Mine Workers sent this
telegram, signed by President John
Walker. the vice president, secretary
treasurer and members OF the execu-
tive board:
"In the name OF $4,000 rhine
workers In Illinois we desire TO
protest against the recent decision
committing TO penal servltude those
great commoners and representatives
Of the American labor movement
Samuel Gompers. John Mitchell and
Frank Morrison These men may be
guilty Of a breach Of law but law
that denies the use of a free press and
full speech In a breach OF the funda-
mental principles OF our country"
Burnham Victim Of Gas Poisoning.
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