The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1909-11-08
CO. Z. OVER HIS CASE
BE Z RE BIG LABOR
z INVENTION
Defends Position of Labor
Leaders and Speaks
Against Courts

TORONTO, Nov. S.-Samuel Com
pers reviewed the case which he,
Mitchell and Morrison were sentenced
to Jail in violation of an injunction, in
a report to the labor convention in
session today.
GOmperS' report proceeds to deal
with the question of injunctions', eight
hour law, employers liability and au-
tomato compensation laws, ship sub
sidy bill, convict labor, child labor, i'm
migration. Gompers' European tour,
subjects concerning the conduct of
the American Federation and then
says much regarding the Buck Stove
and Range case and the decision of the
Washington, D. c. courts. He said in
part:
This passing comment appears
apropoS 1t is that an unpre5udiced,
impartial Judge might well have de-
ferred a decision in a contempt case
alleging violation of an injunction
while an appeal upon the validity OF
the injunction itself was pending and
was being considered for decision by
higher court, and further, that the
unprecedented sentences imposed were
entirely in conflict with the spirit and
plain provision of the constitution as
being cruel and unusual. The langu-
age and manner of Justice Wright IN
delivering his opinion up on the guilt
of the men charged with disobeying
the terms Of the injunction the fact
that he had given his opinion, or per-
mitted it TO be given out in advance
the whole mOckery and formallty OF
asking us whether we had any reasons
TO ION hI-
pronounced, when he had determined
on the sentence in advance: all these
as we'll as the matter and manner or
the arrangement for the scene and the
delivery of the opinion and sentence
indicated the UnfitneSS of the man TO
wear the judicial robe and occupy the
judicial position.
1T may be interesting to know thal
Justice Wright assessed "GomperS,
Mitchell and Morrisson' in the sum of
$500 as costs of the injunction pro-
ceedingS against them.
Congress has thus far failed to pass
anv amendment to the Sherman antl-
trust law relieving the labor organlza-
tiors from the operations of that law
as interpreted by the supreme court OF
the United States in the suit OF LoeWe
& Company, hat manufacturers oI
Danburv. Conn, against the United
fold damages claimed by LOeWe-that
is S240.OOO Though it is true tnat
since this decision has been rendered
few suits have been instituted against
organized labor under the provisions
of the new Interpretation placed upon
the law vet it is also true that ever
labor organization and every lndlVld-
nal number of the organization are
menaced by the present statue.
fhn
of constant work and duties which |
have endeavored to perform to the
hest of whatever ability l may pos
sess 1t is true that for four mohthS
the work varied from previous year ,;
but it was only different in place ana
nartly in character for Wherever
haDpened to be it appears thdl NY
greatest desire and pleasure are 10 pe
of service to my fellows in the great
,,-or1l of tha common uplift, and to
me- there is no. line of activity so po-
tent to accomplish as IN the laooi
movement of our time.
Renort of Secretary Morrison.
Nrorrison's renorts showed that the
receipts of the organization Tor t.ie
year ending September 80 were S25Z:-
Az GA and the expenditures. $2O3''oZ'ol I;
The excess added to the casn Oh iis'ilU
made balance OF lo''oOo.4o' Gu,
The voting strength of the fedora.
tion in 1909 was 1864 against 1857
ir'' in 1eos. The report also shows that
of the fund of s44,297 raised to deteno
Gompers, Morrison and Mitchell. 800, "oo
094 remains. During the year lSoS
new charters were issued Whlie zl1
unions had their charters reNoheN'
were suspended or dlspanueu.
The gain in membership rep, .eu rl ~
tbe secretaries of "a international oI
san;zations over the membership on
Sept l. last year. is SS,6o1.