The Sentinel=record., 1909-11-10
LABOR UNIONS 1. STAND BY GOMPERS
ALSO PROTEST AGAINST THE LIN. TIMELY EXECUTION OF
 FERRER.
Will Back compers, Mitchell and Nor rison-claim That They Did Not
 Have Constitutional Trial.

Toronto, Ont, Nov 9.--If President Samuel Gpmpeas, Vice President John J. Mitchell and Secretary Frank Mor- rison of the American Federation of Labor eventually have to serve jail sentences for contempt of court, it will not be due to lack of support from trade unionism. The executive council of the federation recommend ed to the annual convention today that an appeal be taken to the United States supreme court, both in the Buck Stove and Range Company sn- junction case and in the contempt proceedings, growing out of it. That the convention will ratify the reoom- mendation seems certain and that the three labor leaders and their fellow officers will be reelected for another year is predicted
 A vigorous denunciation of the use of labon injunctions and of the denial of trial by jury was embodied in the councils report today.
 This report said in part:
 It should be borne in mind that in these proceedings Messrs. Gompers, Mitchell and Morrison did not nave the constitutional right of trial by jury. All the circumstances in this case go to prove that conviction would not have followed if the case had been submitted on it's merits to a jury of their peers
 We hold that excepting where con tempt Is in the presence Of the court, the liberty of no citizens should be committed to the keeping of any one mon, regardless of who he may be or what position he may hold. On the contrary we hold that cisizen charg- ed with violating an injunction, the penalty of which involves imprison. ment, should have ne same legal night to a trial by jury that is always accorded a person charged with vio- ation of the criminal law.
 ITO deny the right of trial by jury is to take from the people the protec- tion and priceless heritages which were secured by them after centuries of perseverance,, struggle, sacrifice, ex- ile and even martyraom.
 Whatever differences of opinion may exist among men as to any con- troversy between labor and capital, no good citizen of our country who treasures freedom can rest secure un- til trial by jury becomes so well rec ognizei, and so firmly established in our legal jurisprudence that no man will ever again attempt to deny this essential and historic right. No class has suffered so much from the tyr amy of autocratic power as the work ing people; none struggled more hero ically than they to secure the bless ings of true liberty, free government, free speech, free press and trial by Jury, and 1t now deyolves upon the wage earners to protect. defend and maintain inviolate this priceless prin- ciple of equity and justice"
 The council also recommended that organized labor take appropriate ac- tiOn looking toward the naming of suitable citizens to fill vacancies that may occur in the supreme court of the United States and in the lesser fed eral courts
 on the subject of old age pensions, the council recommended a bill pno- yiding for the organization of the old home guard' to be composed of persons more than 65 years of age. who do not own property worth more than sl .500 or whose income does not exceed $40 Der year. If this bill is passed by congress, these persons may make application to the secretary or war for pension enlistment" and shall receive from the government $i2o per year in quarterly install. ments.
 A portion of the report is devoted 70 the subject of immigration:
 In regard to Russian immieran,s . says the council. i've can only call attentinn to the fact that some furh. CT restrictions are necessary to tbe immigration of these and other peo. pies to America. We realize. however the fact that the deportation Of inm,. grants who come from Russia would practically mean handing them oyer to the tender mercies of a brutal or. tccracy.'
 The report recommends that every eHort he made to assist fin the worf or conservation of natural resources