Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1908-12-24
LABOR LEADERS
DISCUSS DECISION
Protest Against Courts Action
In Sentencing Gompers.
Mitchell and Morrison

4
BOSTON. Mass. Dee. s4.-In
speaking Of the sentencing Of labor
oficials in Washington. First Vice
President James Duncan Of the Amer
lean Federation Of Labor. said:
Il believe the pardoning power 81
the president could be used right
away In causing the release Of PresI-
dent Gompers.
III President Gompers il com
PEELED 60 spend the years term IL
jail he will conduct the Affairs OF The
federation from the Jail ia which he
Is confined. The decIsion Is the most
unjust ever heard. The circum-
stances do not warrant the Imposi-
ton OF the punishments.
Other local leaders. Including
President John r. Tobin Of the boot
and shoe workers union and Presi-
dent Philip II. Sweet Of the state
branch Of the American Federation
OF Labor. expressed their disapproval
OF the decision In strong terms
AioFrissey Lands Defendants.
CLEVELAND. Ohio. Doe. 24.-P.
II. Morrissey. until recently grand
master Of the Brotherhood OF Railway
Trainmen, discussing the decision OF
Judge Wright. said;
Il am not acquainted with the de.
tails under which GomDers. Mitchell.
and Morrison were cited for con
tempt. | do know, though, that these
men are reputable, law-abidlng cit.
izens, and predict that none Of them
viii ever serve a day OF their sent.
enees, as they have probably arrang-
ed to appeal the case 70 the supreme
court OF the United States"
Grand Chief Stone OF the Brother
hood of Locomotive Engineers said
he preferred 70 make no statement.
Sounds strong Protest.
INDIANAPOLIS. Ind. Dec. "a
The decision sentencing Gompera,
Mitchell and Morrison To prison
caused a biz sensation among Indian
apolis labor unlonIsts. w. %. Ryan
sent the following telegram 10 Presl-
dent Roosevelt:
As an official representative OF the
United Mineworkers Of America I en-
phatically protest against the court
decision sentencing Gompers, Mitch.
q! and Morrison to jail"
Bryan Guarded In Comment.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa, Dec. a.
William Jennings Byran was much
Interested in the labor contempt de-
cisi0n. Mr.. Bryan said:
1T is not my policy 20 criticize
either federal courts or their action.
The commitment to prison OF two
men 80 prominent In the labor move
ment as Gompers and Mitchell Is I'M
Ilue In the annals OF labor movements
In this country. Until ! have read
The courts opinion and considered
The matter carefully can have noth-
Ing TO say regarding the case.
'Dcath KneIl Of Boycott"
PHILADELPHIA Pa, Dac. a.
James NJ. Beck Of New York. counsel
Tor the Buck Stove company. was In
'ormed Of the decisi0n in the labor
,ase at Washington while In this city
oday. Mr.. Beck. who made the
iiosing argument for the company
a commenting on the case said:
Counsel fos the Buck Stove company
q this case reluctantly did what
eemsd 10 be an imperative duty. not
'niy to their client. but 20 the public.
Had We not done 80. DEGREES Of
curt OF equity would have become
worse than a farce.
This case ought to be the death
neil Of the boycott n so. Il is TIE
aost important deeision Ia a labor
controversy since the Dsbs ease OF
sss."
Gompers Not ~ onlce.
WASHINGTON. Dee. 24.--samuel
iompeFs failed to make an appear.