The labor world., 1908-02-01
An URGENT APPEAL
FOR FINANCIAL AID
Decision Which Invades Liberty
Of the Press and Liberty
of Speech.
Union Men Everywhere Urged to
Contribute Promptly Towards
Defence Fund.
Washington, D. c., Jan. /, 1908.

Washington, D. c., Jan. l, 1908.
To all Organized Labor, Greeting:
Justice Gould, Of the Supreme Court
of the District OF Columbia, has issued
an injunction against the American
Federation of Labor and it's officers,
officially and individually.
The injunction invades the liberty Of
the press, the liberty of speech. 1t
eEjoins the American Federation Of
Labor, or it's officers from printing,
writing, or orally communicating the
fact that the Bucks Stove and Range
company has assumed an attitude Of
hostility toward labor, and that or
; ganiZed labor has made this fact
known, and asks its friends to use
their influence and purchasing power
yith a view of bringing about an ad-
justment Of all matters in controversy
between that company and organized
labor: The injunction is Of the most
sweeping character, and it, as we'll as
the suit in connection Herewith must,
Of necessity, be contested in the
courts, though it reach the highest
Judicial tribunal of our country.
With this is reprint Of an editorial
, from the February, 190s, American
| Federationist, entitled, Free Speech,
! Free Press Invaded BY Injunction
: Against A. F. Of LA Review and
Protest" The editorial contains full
presentation of labor's position In re-
gard to this Injunction.
The executive council Of the Amer
lean Federation of Labor mas retained
the services Of Hon. Alton B. Parker,
former chief justice Of the Court Of
Appeals of the State OF New York and
Messrs. Ra(ston and Siddons as
counsel to defend the rights Of labor
and the more general rights Of all our
people involved in this injunction and
suit; the rights, as we have said, Of
the freedom Of press and the freedom
Of speech.
The Norfolk convention Of the
American Federation OF Labor author
lied the levying of an assessment Of
one cent per member Of affiliated Or
ganizattOns for this case and gave the
executive council power to levy addi-
tional assessments, If necessary. One
Of these assessnients has been levied,
but it is found to be. oinsufIicient. to
meet the exigencies and needs of the
case.
We believe that organized labor it's
membership and it's friends, would
prefer to make voluntary contribu-
tions Of financial aid rather than addi-
tional assessments be levied
Because of the necessity to defend
the fundamental rights of free speech
and free press of the working people
today, and which may involve the
freedom of the press and the freedom
Of speech of all our people in the
future, we appeal to all unions and
union members, and the friends of
justice to contribute as promptly and
as generously as they can, in, order
that a legal defense fund may be at
the disposal of the American FEEDER
alton of Labor to defend the rights Of
labor, and the rights of our people
before the courts. -
Send all contributions direct to
Frank Morrison, 423-425 G. Street
Northwest, Washington, D. c.. who
!! will send receipt for same.
Fraternally yours,
SAMUEL GOAPERS.
President.
Attest:
FRANK MORRISON,
Secretary.
JAMES DUNCAN,
First Vice-President.
JOHN MITCHELL,
Second Vice President,
JAMES OCONNELL,
Third Vice-President,
MAX NORRIS,
Fourth Vice-President.
D. A. HAYES,
Fifth Vice-President.
DANIEL J. KEEF'E.
Sixth Vice. President.
VIM. D. HUBER,
Seventh Vice-Presfdent.
JOS. F. VALENTINE,
Eighth Vice-President.
JOHN B. LENNON.
Treasurer.
Executive Council American
Federation of Labor.