Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-12
WHY GOMPERS GOT IT.
Judge Wright's Decision Vim
dictates Majesty of the Law.
FREE SPEECH NOT BRIDLED
Court Enforces It's Decrees-Presi-
dent Cannot Intervene.
COSTA RIGA AMERICAS HAGUE
New York's Building Operations.
Wonderful Structures - Higher
Than Washington Monument.
COSTA RIGA AMERICAS HAGUE
BY WILLIAM z. CURTIS

are discussing the possibility and the
of making Costa Rica The
Hague of America SO far the arbitra-
ton of International disputes is concerned
and for several reasons no better location
could >be selected.
1. A permanent international court OF
five eminent jurists. representing the sew
eral states of Central America, is already
In session there and Mr.. Carnegie has
100000 to erect an appro-
pirate building for its use. This court has
jurisdiction only over Central American
affairs, but is not forbidden to take cog
nizance of disputes between other states
if requested to do SO. And even If the
disputants were not willing to submit
their differences for its adjudication there
is no reason why other arbiters should
not be selected to sit in the same place
and take advantage of the boundless hos
pitality of Mr.. Carnegie. If any further
accommodations should be found neces-
sary | am sure Mr.. Carnegie would take
the greatest pleasure in furnishing them
He has given $4,000 to provide build
ing for peace conferences and arb1tr alton
commissions at The Hague. and would
be glad to give as much for a similar
purpose in Costa RIGA if necessary.
Costa Rica the American Hague.
location and has steamship connections
with all the world. There are lines of
steamers from the north and from the
south on both oceans; Port Limon being
the principal seaport on the north and
Punta Arenas on the south. The climate
is healthful and enjoyable all the year
round, and especially at Catargo. which
is situated in group of five mountains
at an altitude of about 200 feet. One of
these mountains, the volcano Irazu, af-
fords the only point in the world from
which both oceans may be seen.
3. There are already several good hotels
and better ones can be provided in due
time. The people of Costa kica are ia
nous for their hospitality, and the coffee
haciendas in the neighborhood would be
delightful places TO visit.
4. Costa Rica is entirely outside of all
controversies, like Holland,
and her government has managed always
to keep out of the conepiracies and m
trigues that have done SO much to retard
the growth and prosperity of the other
Central American republics. A court of
arbitration sitting at Catargo would not
be exposed to any prejudicial influences,
but would be entirety untrammeled This
might be said also of several other loca-
tions. but of none that is so convenient
of access.
AS already stated in these columns, an
effort will be made to have the claims of
the Dnlted STATES against venezuela SUD-
mitted for arbitration by the permanent
Central American court. and while there
are at present no other international con-
troversies which might be sent there, dis
puteS are constantly arising. and the
court would doubtless be furnished with
sufficient business to occupy its atten-
ton
The plan of making Costa Rica The
Hague of America may be- brought before
the next international American confer
ence, which meets at Buenos Aires in the
year 1910.
Why Labor Leaders Are Punished.
/ have received many inquiries as to the
exact offense committed by Samuel Com
pers, John Mitchell and Frank Morrison
of the American Federation of Labor, and
there seems to be a general misunder-
standing as to the reasons which actual
ed Judge Wright to send them to jail
These gentlemen are not sentenced to
prison for freedom of speech, but for
contempt of court: for defying the man
date of Judge Gould of the United States
Court of the District of Columbia who,
December II, 1907, issued a temporary in
junction against the American Federation
which was conducting a boycott against
the Buck S Stove and Range Company of
ST. Louis, of which Mn Van Cleave, presi-
dent of the American Association of Man
ufacturers. is the president and chief
stakeholder. Judge Gould issued the in
junction in the name Of the government of
the United States, and if Mr.. Rockefeller
Mr.. Carnegie, MIR. Van Cleave or any
other citizen had refused to obey it he
would have been punished in the same
manner i'll which Mr.. Gompers, Mn Mitch
ell and Mr.. Morrison are punished, and
everybody would have been glad of IL,
The question of free speech is not in
volved, but the authority of the judiciary
of the United States has been defied and
the court has attempted to vindicate' it's
authority by Furnishing the men who have
defied it.
Origin of the Trouble.
In November, 1905. the foreman of the
Bucks Stove and Range Company of st.
Louis noticed that several men in the
foundry were knocking off work before
the whistle blew and notified Mr. Van
Cleave, the president of the company.
The latter, suspecting that the men had
been instructed by the Molders' Union
to limit their production, called the rnirty-
six mOlders together. gave them a talk
ing to and warned them they must work
the full time. They obeyed his orders nm.
III august, lN6, when they again re-
suIned the habit of working only par,
Of day. Mr.. Van Cleave called Their
to account again. and as they refused r.
obey orders. discharged the leaders. All
OF the members of the union in the foun.
dry walked out and non-union men were
immediately employed to take thei,
places. Several of the strikers afterwar r.
returned to their job.
The company had been running an ono,
shop and for fourteen years had beer
under an agreement with several of the
unions, by which all disputes were To he
referred to committee for settlement
Wlthout appealing to that agreement al
the union men in its employ struck ir
sympathy with the molders who haf
been discharged, and the Central Trade.
and Labor Union and the Metal Trsdt
Council of st. Louis declared a boycot,
against the company and printed its name
in the unfair list"
At the annual convention of the Amer
lean Federation of Labor held at Indian
apolis November. 1906, the action of th,
st. Louis unions was Endorsed and tn,
Bucks Stove and Range COMPANY wa,
ordered to be placed in the .'we-dop,t
patronize list Of the American Fedora
zionist. the official organ of that oreani
zation, which is published at the Wash
ington headquarters by Mr.. GomnerS y,
president, Mr.. Mitchell as vice presiden
and Mr.. Morrison as secretary. how
colt was declared against the comnan,
and it's customers and the customers n
its customers. and all contracts for tn,
delivery of stoves, ranges and other prod
ucts were Cancelled and repudiated.
Courts Enjoined Labor Leaders
The boycotted company appealed to tn.
federal courts Of the District of Columbia
and, after hearing, in which Judge Al,
ton b. Parker. democratic candidate fo,
President in 1904 and other eminent coun.
sci made lengthy arguments. Judge Gould