The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-11-10
GOMPERS REBUKED
BY LABOR LEADER
Continued from Page One.

in the eyes Of the law They cannot even
plead ignorance because they are intelli-
gent men. They knew it was wrong 20
violate the order or the court, even
though they or others might believe an
injustice was done them They did not
even prosecute their appeal until every
known remedy had been exhausted.
Desired Sensation.
1T looks as II they desired to do some
thing sensational, so as TO keep them
selves prominently before the public.
They showed little respect for the courts
OF the District Of Columbia. considering
them open to threats or political infu-
ence''
If Mr. Van Cleave or his organization
had been enjoined from blacklisting union
labor and had done as Messrs Gompers,
Morrison. and Mitchell did in violating
the order az the court, what a different
chorus we should be hearing from our
so-called labor leaders on the conduct OF
capital and trust IN disregardiEg the de-
cision Of our courts.
Where Is there a more willful, pre-
meditated violation Of law than IN this
case? The action Of the so-called leaders
will be harmful for years 10 come when
ever an attempt Is made TO secure legis-
ation for the benefit of the worker
There IS no trust or combination Of capt.
tai I'm the world that violates any more
laws or oftener. than the trust labor
organizations who resort TO more dis
honest. unfair. and dishonorable methods
towards their competitors than any trust
or combination Of capital in the country
"Our experience I'm the courts of the
TDfefrfet KNIGHTS pf "a og
citizens during the past two years quail
fies us 90 speak and declare that during
that time we have had our own cases
before. 1 believe every judge there. and
we know it is a public Islander 10 say
Justice has not been melted out 10 organ
lied labor and every citizen exactly alike.
There was but one fault we had TO
find with the courts here, which is that
they were a little slow and allowed at
torneys too much delay and time
Justice Wright Praised.
The Hon. Justice Wright. who rem
dered the decision and sentenced the de-
fiant labor leaders. heard one Of our
cases and 7 am satisfied II Il had been ].
Pierpont Morgan. Rockefeller. or Tneo-
dore Roosevelt or any other prominent
man, who. under the same circumstances.
violated the courts order, as il was viO-
lated IN the Compers case, they would
have received the same or perhaps great
er punishment.
7 think the sentence Of the court Sc
we're. and would have preferred 10 have
seen a fine levied, but we are given 10
understand some Of these defendants
said they would never pay a fine or per
NIT labor 10 pay II for them II win
be most surprising decision should this
case go to the United states Supreme
Court and the lower courts be not sus-
tanned in their rulings
The President Of the United States. In
looking around for a man qualified for the
vacancy on the bench OF the highest tri-
bunal I'm the country. need 20 no farth-
or than the gentlemen who comprise the
| Supreme Court OF the District
III were charged with crime and was
| innocent or had an honest case in court.
I should want such a judge as Justice
| Wright. II I was guilty or had a dis
| honest case. I should want a judge IA
vorable 20 labor. whom l might be able
10 influence.
II believe Messrs. GCmpers Mitchell.
and Morrison are honest, but that they
are posing as martyrs or playing a dan
gerous political game that will act as
a boomerang on labor"