The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-12-24
Leaders Are Sentenced
 to Jail.
 --~-- BUCKS STOVE CASE
 DECIDED AGAINST UNIONS Gompers, Mitchell and Morrison Are Defendants. Judge Wright is Severe in His Denun- Nation of the Boycott Imposed By Federation--NOtice
 Of Appeal.

Washington, Dec. 23-Twelve months in jail for Samuel Gompers, President nine months for John Mitchell. one of the Vice-Presidents; and six months for Frank Morrison, Secretary, all of the American Federation of Labor, was the sentence imposed by Justice Wright Of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia today for con- tempt of court in violating an order previously issued enjoining them from placing on the unfair" or we don't patronage" list the Bucks Stove and Range Company of St. Louis, Mo.
 All three of the defendants were in court. Notice of an appeal to the Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia at once was filed, Goinpers being re- leased on S5,000 bond, Mitchell on s4,000, and Morrison on $3,000 bonds.
 In addition to the wife and daughter of Gompers, there were present a num- Der of local labor leaders and others who were attracted by the notice that a decision in the famous case would be announced today. Mir. Gompers's fam fly were visibly affected.
 With tears coursing down his checks. President Gompers heard the order of the court, which condemned him to pris- on for a year. Both Mitchell and Nor rison seemed stunned by the sentence. although Mir. Mitchell appeared to be the least concerned.
 Speech by GOmpera.
 Asked if he had anything 10 say why sentence should not be passed. Presi- dent Gompers declared that he had not consciously violated any law. There was much he would like to say, he said. but he could not do it at that time. He added. however, that this is struggle of the working people of our country. and 1t is a struggle of the working people for the right. It is a struggle of the ages, a struggle of the men of labor to throw off some of the burdens which have been heaped upon them: to abolish some of the wrongs and to see oasae. sesae ofs the rights toc leng dae nied"
 Mitchell and Morrison confined them. selves to the same line of remarks.
 The decision of Justice Wright. which consumed two hours and twenty min- utes in reading, was one of the most scathing arraignments that ever came from the bench in this city.
 Everywhere" the court said. "ali over within the court and without. ut. ter rampant, insolent defiance is her aided and proclaimed; undedned insult. coarse affront, vulgar indignity meas ures the litigants' conception of the tribunals due wherein his cause still pends."
 "The laws command has been," he said. "to stand hands off until justice for this matter can be ascertalned."
 But, he said, there has been studieds determined. defiant conflict, ''precipitat- ed In the light of open day, between the decrees of a tribunal ordained by the government of the Federal union. and of the tribunals of another Federation grown up in the land" One or the other he declared. must succumb. for those who would unlaw the land are public enemies"
 Roosevelt May Interfere.
 whether President Roosevelt will take any action. as he has been urged to do, in telegrans received from diff ferent labor organizations throughout the country in connection with Justice Wright's decision, has not been decided 1t was stated at the White House toe day.
 It was explained there that the Pres ident has not read the decision and therefore cannot say if he will take any action. The first intimation, however. was that some action might be taken if he should be convinced that the sen- teace is unjust, If 1t should be affirmed upon appeal.
 The various labor organizations in protesting to the President against the sentence, urge him to prevent the incar- ceration of the labor leaders.
 The Illinois United Mine Workers sent this telegram. signed by President John Walker the vice president, secre- tary treasurer and members of the Executive Board:
 Tn the name of 75,000 mine workers in Illinois. we desire to protest against the recent decision committing to penal servitude those great commoners and representatives of the American labor movement. Samuel Gompers, John Nit chen and Frank Morrison. These men may be guilty of a breach of the law. but law that denies the use of a free press and free speech is a breach of the fundamental principles of our country"
 The Bucks Company's prosecution of the officials of the Federation be- gan in August. 1907. The original ac- ton was test case, wherein 1t was sought to enjoin the labor unions from | using the unfair" and i've don't pat | ronize" lists in their fight against | firms and individuals.
 Justice Gould of the Supreme Court | of the District of Columbia. issued | an injunction which later was made | permanent. forbidding the publication | of the company's name in these lists.
 President Gompers fin an editorial in The Federationist of January last |
  the courts order. eontending that the injunction issued was a derogation of rights of labor and an abuse of the Injunctive power of the courts. Comp CTS, Mitchell and Morrison subsequent ly were cited for contempt and this ph ase of the case has been before the court for many months. the proceed ings taking the form of a hearing of testimony before an examiner and many arguments.
 A gcathing DenuneiatiOn.
 Judge Wright's decision was a scathing denunciation of the defend ants He recited the conditions an- teceding the injunction and referred to the fact that for twenty-five years. the Bucks had been operated as ten hour shop. and had always maintain ed an "open shop"
 He also spoke of the numerical strength of the American Federation