The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-11-10
COMPERS IS FIRM
Urges Federation to Op-
pose Cruel Injustice.
! JUSTICE WRIGHT UNFIT.
Stiles Actions of Himself and Eel
low officials In Bucks Stove
Case and Speaks of Mock
cry Of Justice.

Toronto, Nov. 9.-President Samuel
Gompers Of the Federation of Labor
received an ovation from the dele
gates who crowded the hall ut the an
nual convention here.
Mr.. Gompers in his annual address
took a firm and uncompromising posi-
ton in regard to the recent decision OF
the court Of appeals Of the District of
Columbia affirming the twelve, nine
and six months sentences imposed re-
spectively on Mr.. Gompers, John
Mitchell, vice president, and Frank
Morrison, secretary, for contempt of
court in the Bucks Stove and Range
case. He said:
So long as there shall remain a wrong
unrighted or right denied there will be
ample work for the labor movement to
do. Meeting In convention as we do for
the first time in our history on Canadian
soil, may we not indulge the hope that
there will be brought out the very best
that Is in us?
Owing to the refusal of the Bucks Stove
and Range company of ST. Louis to con-
tinue the nine hour workday to the metal
polishers in it's employ and its discrimi-
ees because of their membership in the
union and despite efforts to harmonZe
and adjust the differences existing, the
labor organization in the interest of st.
Louis placed the product of the company
upon their I'VE Don't Patronize' list.
On Dec. Is. 1907, Mr.. Van Cleave, presi-
dent of the stove, company, obtained from
Justice Gould an injunction against the
American Federation of Labor, the men,
bers of the executive council. both off,
cially and individually; the officers and
members of local and International unions
affiliated with the American Federation
or Labor, its agents, friends, sympa-
thizers or counsel, forbidding them in
any way to publish, print, write, verbally
or orally communicate the fact that the
Bucks Stove and Range company was
unfair to or had any dispute with organ
ICED labor or that 1t was "boycotted" by
organized labor
Inc court heard argument of counsel
on both sides as to whether the defend
ants-Mitchell Morrison and I-were
guilty of contempt of court. And while
the appeal on the original injunction was
pending Justice Wright on Dec. %, 1908,
adjudged us guilty of contempt of court
and imposed a sentence of six months
nine months and one years Imprisonment
respectively upon Morrison, Mitchell and
Gompers."
The language and manner of Justice
whole mockery and formality of asking
us whether we had any reasons to assign
why sentence should not be pronounced
when he had determined on the sentences
In advance-these indicated the unfitness
or the man to wear the judicial robe and
occupy the judicial position.
The response of the masses of the peo-
pie to the campaign Of the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor to raise a fund for the
preservation of constitutional rights shows
how thoroughly our labor movement is in
harmony with the spirit of liberty and
the love of justice and right which makes
a nation great. The struggle is far from
ended. In conclusion let me reaffirm my
conviction that the labor movement of
our country will emerge triumphantly
from the prosecutions of those who would
hamper its beneficent activities.
Secretary Morrison reported that the
federation had $167,3O3 in it's treasury,
the greatest sum it has ever had.
He added that of the fund subscrib-
ed by local unions for the legal de-
fense Of the officers and members of
the American Federation of Labor in
the injunction suit and contempt case
there is left $3S,O24.