Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-13
Hesitate to Answer Questions
in Contempt Case.
MORRISON VERY CAUTIOUS
Attorney Davenport Calls Him
"Recalcitrant.'
GOMPERS IS ON THE STAND
Admits Last Night That He Hurried
Publication of Federationist-A
Session Today.

President Gompers and Secretary Morri-
son OF the American Federation of Labor
proved rather unwilling witnesses when
the Bucks Stove and Range Company in
junction case against the federation Off
Gals was continued before Examiner
Harper last night.
This is the case in which Gompers and
Morrison and John Mitchell vice president
of the organization. are charged with con-
tempt of the District Supreme Court be-
cause of the criticisms of that, tribunals
injunction in the case against them for
alleged boycott
When the proceedings opened Jackson
II. Ralston Of the local counsel for the
respondents made this statement:
We are ready to admit actual facts
pertinent to any issues involved. and in
that way shorten the examination as
much possible. We are of the opinion
that two-thirds of the proceedings of last
evening were impairment from a legal
point of view, they pertained to the de-
tails of the management of the federation
and the 'FederatOnist,' and have nothing
to do with the examination. the purpose
of which is to discover whether the re-
SpondentS have committed contempt.
On those points the witnesses Will be in
structed not to answer unless they see
fit
Mr.. Davenport undertook to elicit from
Mr.. Morrison information concerning the
circulation of the Federationist for
January. 1908. which contained references
to the injunction decision. the purpose be-
ing to show that the publication was ex-
pedited before bonds were given on the
injunction.
His Memory Faulty
Mr.. Morrison's memory did not cover
the details of this proceeding, and com
paratively little informa ton was obtained
On the advice of his counsel Mr.. Morrison
refused to answer many questions.
The attorney cannot instruct the wit
ness not to answer said Mr.. Davenport
to Mr.. Morrison, after one of Mr.. Rails
tons Interruptions.
We are paying him, and | shall follow
his advice responded the witness.
Mr.. Davenport then sought to have the
examiner instruct the witness to answer,
but the latter replied that he could only
report to the court.
Mr.. Morrison admitted that in the an
swer to the original complaint in the
Bucks stove case it had been sought to
assure the court that it was the intention
to discontinue the publication of the
Bucks company in the I'VE Don't Patron
ize' list, but he confessed that the name
had been included in that list in the is
sues of the Federati ZIONIST for December,
l9ui, and January. 1908.
unfair" Left Off List.
Mr.. Ralston explained that the word
unfair hitherto coupled with the Don't
Patronize' list had been eliminated before
the appearance of the December number
of the Fedora ZIONIST.
Mr.. Morrison declared that notwith-
standing the recent publications. he and
his fellow respondents have not violated
the terms of the injunction decree
On advice from his attorney Mr. Nor
rlsOn declined to answer a question as to
whether the executive council of the
Federation of Labor had held a meet
ing in January. 1908. whereupon Mr.
Davenport asked the examiner to certify
the question to the court.
Mr.. Ralston. however. withdrew the
objection to the Interrogation continued
during the colloquy.
Mr.. Davenport characterized Mr.. Nor
rison as a .'recalcitrant witness" and
said the objections by Mr.. Ralston were
absurd and intolerable."
The witness said that there had been
such a meeting, but that the appeal for
funds to fight the case which was then
sent out together with one of Mr.. Com
pers' editorials had not been submitted
to the council.
Gompers on Stand.
At 10 o'clock Mr.. Gompers took the
stand He at first refused to answer a
question to whether he had taken
any steps looking to the hurrying up of
the January number of the Federation
list, saying that he did not consider it
pertinent to the proceeding, but upon q
threat by Mr.. Davenport to have the
question certified to the court he recon-
sdered and said that in order to ex-
pedite the inquiry he would make reply.
He then admitted that he had asked
the printer to expedite that issue of the
paper. He admitted that ii had been
his purpose in expediting the distribution
of the paper to get ii into circulation
before the injunction should become eff
feCtive.
At 1850 pm. the hearing was contin-
ued until 10 o'clock tomorrow morning.
when Mr.. Gompers will be again eX-
amned.