The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1908-12-04
LABOR MEN TALK
ON INJUNCTI0NS
Recommendation That Courts Orders
Be Defied Is Modi-
fed.
WORK OF THE FEDERATION,
Mitchell Declares He Will Go to Pri-
son, But Will Pay No
Fine.


was given over to the consideration of
the committees reports on the presi-
dents report. Two sections caused a
prolonged debate and a vote was
reached on only one, that referring to
litigation with regard to labor.
The report OF the committee recon-
that injunctiohs be disregard
ed was defeated on a roll CALL 11,272
to 1916, and a modification of the re-
port along the line of Gompers' re-
port was adopted.
The rest of the session was taken
up in discussing the section of the re-
port referring to the political action
of the federation leaders. In this sec
ton the committee criticised the ac-
ton of Daniel j. Keefe, for not acting
with the rest of the executive council.
1t has been announced that the Jour
neymen BARRIERS union has decided to
begin a fight for shorter hours.
When the report on the presidents
report was called for Gompers resign
ed the chair to Joseph F. Valentine,
seventh vice-president of the fedora
ton. 1t was decided to take up the
report of the committee on presidents
report seratim. Each subject in the
report was commented on and ap-
proved by the committee and as the
reading proceeded the convention in
dorsed the recommendations of the
committee. The action of President
Gompers, as related in his report, in
regard to the Buck Stove and Range
Company injunction was unanimously
Endorsed by rising vote.
There was no discussion of the COM
mittees report until the sub-head,
Litigation harassing labor" was
reached. On this subject the committee
declared that when Judge issued an
injunction in labor disputes it is the
duty of organized labor to disobey and
go to Jail, and advised that the funds
of the organization be not urged to
defend any such suit, because it be-
lieves it would be a useless eXpendi-
ture."
DullSplI vi NhO vi ohAIS OuN
tiers, first vice-president of the fedora
ton, opposed the recommendation. He
said the union men are law-abiding
citizens and should proceed like any
other citizens to defend themselves at
all hazards. He moved to strike out
the words advising the labor man to
disobey the injunction.
President Andrew Furuseth of the
Seamen's Union upheld the report of
the committee. Furuseth said the
union man was a faw-abiding citizen
and would not tolerate the breaking
of the law on the part of the judiciary.
He opposed "Judge-made law" The
speaker explained what he called a
new jurisprudence which is now be-
ing imposed upon this country" and
said sending to Jail men who are al
legged to be guilty of contempt of
court was, in effect, sentencing them
under the jurisdiction of a Judge
made law" The unions would be right
in taking a stand against it.
Frank T. Hawley of the Switchmen's
Union opposed the report of the COM
mittee, which he termed revolution
airy and anarchistic."
Max Hayes of the Typographical
Union supported the committees re-
port. He introduced Socialistic teach
ings in his speech, saying: 1T is the
time for strong, sturdy men to re-
enact the stirring scenes of every re-
evolutionary epoch. see no reason why
our leaders should not assume that
role at this time and prove to the
people we are a militant organiza
| ton"
James M. Lynch of the Topographic
cal Union, and T. l.. Lewis of the
miners, supported the amendment il
somewhat extended arguments.
P. ]. McCardel of the Iron and Stee
Workers, chairman of the committee
defended its report. He said that mel
cannot be cited for sontempt anC
thereafter defend themselves, unless
the order of the Court is disregarded
President Gompers then took a hant
in the debate IF the men and womel
who have been cited in injunction
suits had shown a craven spirit,
should encourage all to resist this in
vasion of his rights, but | know of N
such case said Gompers. Il take i
the intention of the committee was t.
make the situation acute. 1t is no
necessary for US to make the situation
acute. Our enemies have done thi
and will continue to do this for us
THEY will want their pound of fles
land their greed and avarice will b
their own undoing. When an injunc
ton is issued against me which in
vades my rights as a man and citl
zen am going to resist that injunc
ton"
Gompers suggested that the entir
matter be referred back to the CON
mlttee and a motion to that effect wa
made from the floor, The propOsitio
to refer back to committee was do