Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-17
COMPERS READY FOR JAIL
Labor Leader Says He Will Not Pay
Fine il One is Assessed.
FEDERATION DISCUSSES POLITICS
Formation of Independent Party is
AdvOcstedAPIhns for Hiding
FunSds frSniT attachment
CoRsfdered.

DENVER, Nov. H. President Samuel
Gompers al the afternoon session today, Of
the convention of the American Fedora
ton Of Labor declared that IL he were
found guilty and fined in the contempt
proceedings against him at Washington he
would go to Jail before he would pay his
fine or before she would allow the fedora
tio1 TO pay anytime for him. H.
This" statement was made by Mr.. Com
pers during discussion Of the report of the
committee on the treasurer's report. The
committee recommended that Immediately
following tho adjournment of the conven-
ton the legislative committee shall take up
the proposition OF placing it's funds where
they may be removed from danger of at
tachment.' 70 ss~ ss
The report brought out a political dis
cussion in which several members declared
themselves in favor OF the formation Of an
Independent political party. Treasurer John
b. Lennon said he had discussed the mat
ter OF safeguarding the funds with good
attorneys and they all agreed that 1t was
impossible without resulting at some time
in perjury by some person. Several sug-
g~estions were made from the floor. one
being that the funds be deposited in Can
ada and another that certificates of de-
Ppb' ~ nv ~ II VIM bhhV hoAiiN
than the treasurer's.
Change In Laws Asked.
d.. G. Ramsey of the Electrical Workers
was applaudod when be declared:
I'VE had a chance to place our funds
beyond the, reach OF those who would take
them, but we let 1t pass on November g..
The only way to protect our money is to
change the laws.'".'
Mr.. Gompers warned the delegates that
II a way were found to hide the funds
the courts would thereafter appoint II re-
ceiver, not necessarily to secure in some
way the hidden fdnds. but to get the
money being contributed.
BY request Mr.. Gompers explained the
status of the Danbury hat case. The lower
courts held THAT there was no case under
the Sherman antitrust. law, but the United
states supreme court had reversed. this de-
cision and remanded the case to the lower
court for %retrlal, Continuing, he said:
Our standing Is mepaced by the courts
of law. The. matter OF the application Of
the Sherman antitrust law to unions has
reached final adjustment by the United
states supreme court. ...
N matter how the Danbury case is de-
cided. that viii not alter the status one
JOA' : w iAlACN~ ~ 6uBlNAllt Npull a
said the final word and the law of this
country is that labor organizations of this
country are now conspiracies and combina-
tons in restraint of trade.
Sherman Law is enOUnced
Under the Sherman antitrust law honest
business cannot be conducted, must less
honest, straightforward labor organizations.
referring to the case against me in
the District of Columbia, I want to say
that I will never consent to the American
Federation Of Labor ever paying cent
OF fine for me-. I don't want to go to
jail, but will not tamely submit to the
Federation being mulcted. for me. am
I not pleading, Rdyerty, but If, had the
means I ~otldN 'Rot use item in payment
Of any fine IMPOSED on me for exercising
my rights as an American citizen"
Max Hayes of Cleveland made a social
istic speech. and suggested the formation
of a labor party. He criticised the demo-
cratic platform in regard to that portion
which says. we yield to none in our re-
spect 20 the COURTS
Mr.. Hayes declared he had no respect
for the courts. .
Mr.. Gompers again took the floor to reply
to Mr.. Hayes. He said the position taken
by Mr.. Hayes was rloqical and declared
that the decisions of the supreme court
had but one object, TO tie the ms nof labor
tc their work, TO cripple the men of labor
in their right to work or their right not
to work. That was the position, he de-
clarod.
''Phese decisions he said. will result
in lettering men today in order to enslave
them for all time to come. The rights
which the courts took from the workmcr
of Great Britain caused the formation ot
the labor party and having secured their
rights to organize they have continued and
Will secure other rights.
GOmpers, Not a Democrat.
II am not in love with the democratic
party; second, l am not a democrat, and,
third, l am confident l never will be q
democrat. l owe allegiance to no party.
l am a trade unionist,a May the trade
unionists always DO right, but, whether
right or wrong, J. am with the trade union
lists --- -
This declaration, was received with cheers
mo man has denounced the democratic
party more than l." Mr.. Gompers con,
tinued. But when the democratic party
made our contentious its own II would no;
Only have been ingratitude but cowardice
to desert it. If Bryan had been elected
with the hosts of organized labor back OF