The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-11-20
GOMPERS WILLING TO 60 TO
JAIL.
He Would Not Pay Fine if Convicted
of Cortempt-Nor Permit Fed
Grafton of Labor to Pay
Fine for Him.

Denver. COL, November 16.-Presl-
dent Samuel Gompers, at today's Scs-
sion Of the convection Of the Amerl-
can Federation Of Labor, declared
that if he were found guilty and fin
ed in the contempt proceedings
against him at Washington he would
go to jail before he would pay his
fine or before he would allow the
Federation to pay the fine for him.
This statement Was made during
the discussion of the report of the
committee on the treasurer'S report.
The committee recommended that
Immediately following the ad-
journment Of the convention,
the executive committee shall take
up the proposition Of placing its
funds where they may be removed
from danger Of attachment.
Several suggestions were made, one
being that the funds be deposited in
Canada and another that certificates
Of deposits be taken out in some 9TH
er name than the treasurer.
D. G. Ramsey, Of the electrical
workers, declared:
"We had a chance to place our
funds beyond the reach Of those who
would take them, but we let it pass
on November 3. The only way to pro-
tect our money is to change the
laws
Mr.. Gompers warned the delegates
that if a way were found to hide the
funds, the courts would thereafter
appoint receiver, not necessarily to
secure in some way the hidden fund,
but to get the money being contribut
ed.
By request Mr.. Gompers explain
ed the status Of the Danbury hat case.
"Our standing is menaced by the
courts Of law" he said.
"The matter of the application OF
the Sherman antitrust law to unions
has reached final adjustment by the
United States supreme court. No
matter how the Danbury case is de-
cided that will not alter the status
one iot. The United States supreme
court has said the final word and
the law Of this country is that labor
organizations Of this country are now
conspiracies and combinations in re-
straint Of trade.
"Under the Sherman antitrust
law business cannot be conducted,
much less honest straightforward lab
or organizations. With reference to
the case against me in the District
of Columbia I want to say that [ will
never consent that the American Fed
Grafton Of Labor shall ever pay one
cent Of the fine for me. I don't want
to 60 to Jail, but I will not tamely
submit to the Federation being mulct-
ed for me-"
Mr.. Gompers declared that the de-
cisions of the supreme court had but
one effect, namely, to tie the men Of
labor to their work, cripple the men
Of labor in their right to work or their
right not to work.
"These decisions," he said, "will
result in lettering men today in Or
der to enslave theu for all time t.
come.
~ am not in touch with the Demo-
cratic party; second, am not De-
mocrat, and third, I am confident l
never will be a Democrat. I owe
allegiance to no party. I am trades
unionist.
"When the Democratic party made
our contentious it's own,' said Mr..
Gompers, cit would not only have
been ingratitude but 7owardice to de-
sert them. If Bryan had been elect
ed with the hosts Of organized labor
back of him it would have given
spirit to human freedom.
The report of the committee on the
treasurer's report, with its recon-
mendationS, was unanimously concur
red in.