The San Francisco call., 1908-11-20

jail and advised that the FUNDS OF the |
organization be not used 10 defend any
such suit because it believes it would /
be a useless expenditure
FURUsETH FOR COMMITTEE
Andrew Furuseth. president Of the |
seamen's union, upheld the report OF
the committee.
Furuseth said the union man was a
law abiding citizen and would not toll /
crate the breaking OF the law on the
part Of the judiciary. He opposed |
Judge made law" The speaker eX- 4
planned what he called a new jurispru-
dence which is now being imposed upon
this country" and said sending to jail
men who were alleged to be guilty OF
contempt Of court was, in effect, SEN
fencing them under the jurisdiction Of
Judge made law" and the unions
would be right IN taking stand
q gainst il.
James Duncan OF the granite cutters,
first vice president OF the federation,
opposed the recommendation. He said
the union men were 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 laborin gman to dis
obey the Injunction.
John Leonard OF the tailors' union,
treasurer Of the federation, opposed the
report Of the committee.
CHARGE OF ANARCHIsM
Frank T. Hawley of the switchmen's
union opposed the report OF the COM
mittee. which he termed revolutionary
and anarchistic."
Max Hayes Of the typographical
union supported the committees re-
port. de said:
1T is the time for strong, sturdy men
10 re-enact the stirring scenes Of every
revolutionary epoch. II il is necessary
for more men TO become martyrs 1 see
no reason why our leaders should not
assume that role al this time and
prove 10 the people we are a militant
organization
LYNCH FANORS AMENDMENT
James NJ Lynch OF the typographical
union and T. /. Lewis of the miners
supported the amendment in somewhat
extended arguments.
P. J. McCardel Of the iron and steel
workers. chairman Of the committee,
defended its report. He said that men
could not be cited for contempt and
thereafter defend themselves unless
the order of the court was disregarded.
John II. Walker Of the miners sup
ported the amendment Walker ran
for congress two years ago on the So
cialist ticket in an Illinois district, and
the stand taken by him showed that
the socialist vote in the convention on
the question was divided.
GOMPERs URGES RESISTANCE
President Gompers then took hand
in the debate
If the men and women who have
been cited in Injunction suits had
shown a craven spirit. 7 should encour-
age all to resist this invasion of his
rights. but I know OF no such case"
said G0mpers.
4 take il the intention of the COM
mittee was 10 make the situation acute.
Il is not necessary for US to make the
situation acute. Our enemies have
done this and viii 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 my rights
as 2 man and a citizen I am going to
resist that injunction.
Gompers suggested that the entire
matter be referred back to the commit
tee, and motion TO that effect was
made
The proposition TO refer back to
committee was defeated by an over
whelming vote. and the convention
took its MONDAY recess.
MITCHELL MAY GO TO JAIL
John Mitchell at the afternoon ses-
sion offered second amendment to
the committees report, saying in part:
within a few days the courts will
decide whether our president, secretary
and myself shall got to Jail I do not
want 10 go TO Jail: but / shall accept
that judgment and I shall pay no fine"
This declaration brought cheers from
the delegates.
Mitchelfs amendment was to insert
certain words so that the report
should read as follows
Whenever the courts issue an in
junction 10 regulate our personal
relations, we declare we viii exer-
else all the rights and privileges
guaranteed by the constitution and
laws Of our country and insist that
II IA our duty to defend ourselves
"a ali hazards, and recommend such
be our action, taking whatever re-
suits may follow.
Several other delegates discussed the
amendments, and Representative Furu-
seth closed the discussion with a de-
fense Of the committees report. His
resolution and the Mitchell amend
ments were voted on together
roll call was demanded to settle
the entire question. The amendments
were adopted by a vote Of Il,272 to
1876.
AteIlltleM fOh tAEEEE
Tie rest Of the session was taken
up in discussing the section of the re-
port referring 70 the political action
Of the federation leaders. In this sec
tion the committee criticized the action
Of Daniel J. Keefe for not acting with
the rest of the executive council.
Max Hayes of the typographical
union objected TO the report of the
committee and argued that If the fed
GRAFTON wanted 10 go into politics II
would be better for it to support ths
socialistic party in preference to thu
democratic.
Several other delegates spoke in op-
position 10 the committee report. bui
a vote was not reached when the con-
vention adjourned until tomorrow
morning.
IL has been announced that the jour
neymen BARRIERS union has decided to
begin q fight for shorter hours.
The action Of President Gompers as
related in his report, in regard to the
Buck stove and range company injunc-
tion ~as unanimously indorsed by a
~lsinE vote.