The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-01-17
House Committee Refuses Re-
quest of Leaders.
CORRESPONDENCE ON EXHIBIT
Letters sent Members of the Lower
Branch of Federal Government and
Replies OF Gompers Read to Conn
cii-CircuIar Sent Out in Which
Appeal Is Made for Aid.

reg -s-ssz.J the Issuance OF injunctiOns,
was forcibly demonstrated yesterday.
when Samuel Gompers. president CT
the American Federation OF Labor. re-
ported to the executive council the re-
suit Of his efforts 10 obtain a hearing for
the council before the judiciary Commit
tee Of the House
Letters written to members Of the
House committee and replies received
BY Mr.. Gompers. were read 10 the coUn-
eli. showing that despite the Efforts OF
the labor leader. seconded by Represeu-
tative r L. Henry. OF Texas. the con-
mittee refused 70 allow the hearing AZ thu
time asked by the labor organization
In his communication 70 the Congress
men. Mr.. Gompers urged that the execu-
tive council be given a hearing by the
fun committee between the dates OF jan
uary Il and January Is. inclusive. Fur
ther efforts to obtain a hearing wiz be
made by members OF the council
Issue Call for Funds.
call for funds for the defense OF the
appeals in the pending injunction proceed
ings against the federation 70 defray
the legal expenses OF the appeal from the
contempt judgment OF Judge Wright IN
the cases OF Gompers. Mitchell, and Nor
rison was formally issued The appeal n
the shape Of z circular, is addressed to
organized labor. its friends and symps-
thizers. The paper states that as thu
federation is a body composed OF separate
and distinct unions. each attending to It's
own financial affairs. the organization
has therefore only the money necessary
70 carry on the running expenses. To
meet an unusual demand, special coztri-
buttons must be given.
The statement reads, IN part:
You know that Samuel Gompers- John
Mitchell, and Frank Morrison have been
declared guilty OF violating an Injunction
issued by the Supreme Court OF the Dis
tTict OF Columbia, and that Justice
Wright, Of that court has sentenced
them to terms OF Imprisonment Of twelve.
nine, and six months. respectively. Pend
ing an appeal they are out on bal. The
original Injunction issued on the applica-
ton OF the Buck Stove and Range Com
pany has been appealed 70 the Court OF
Appeals OF the District OF Columbia ana
We have authorized our attorneys also 20
take an appeal against Justice wriEht's
decision.
Right of Free Speech
I'VE hold that Gompers Mitchell and
Morrison have not violated the terms OF
the injunction. but Instead have exercised
their right OF free press and free speech
Surely no member Of organized labor or
other fair-minded nan can rest content
unless the principles involved n these
cases are determined BY the highest
tribunal n our land
We have already expended large SUNS
in these cases. and the PLAINTIFF attorneys
have not only publicly boosted OF caus-
ing such large expenditures on our parz.
but have asserted there are more to come.
We have exceptionally able sttornsys IN
Hon Alton B. Parker and RaIston &
Siddons. who VIII carry, the cases 20
their logical and fnai Conclusion, but
ample funds must be provided 70 par
nit this 70 be done
Prom the expressions OF our fellow
workers and friends IN 81 walks IN lie
we find that they sre II absolute accord
with Us in the determined stand taken BY
Gompers, Mitchell, and Morrison IN the
assertion OF their and our iusIiensbIs
rights OF free press and free speech and
the determination that these cases be
pressed TO final determination
President Gompers and his colleagues
are on trial for your rights, co-equaIly
with their own. and every liberty-Iovine
citizen, in or out OF the ranks OF labor.
Should consider this situation and appeal
as their own personal concern, and re
spouse should be made accordingly.
Upon the Injunction abuse the Denver
convention Of the American Federation
Of Labor declared that We viii exercise
all the rights and privileges guaranteed
to Us by the Constitution and laws OF
our country, and insist that it is our
duty to defend ourselves az al hazards
This appeal for funds IS issued in &C
cordance Wit hthat declaration"
The council was IN session until 2
O'Clock yesterday afternoon, end a large
volume Of business was transacted The
OF the conservation commits
sion on natural resources requested that
the executive council appoint a parma
Ient committee 20 Cooperate with II
Samuel Gompers. John NItcheIL James
OConnell, D. A. Hayes. and Frank Nor
rison were named.
Council Gets Letters.
Following the appointment OF this con-
mittee, BIr. Gompers placed his CORE
spondence with members OF Congress bs-
fore the board
The first letter read was written TO
Representative John I. jenkins, chair
man OF the House judiciary Committee.
and made formal request for 2 hearing
before the full committee for the execu-
tive council between the dates OF January
Il and Is, inclusive. excepting the morn
ing hours Of January IL
The purpose in making the request a.
cOrding 10 the letter. is 70 aIlow the
council to make g statement in references
TO the necessity OF amending the Sher-
man antitrust Law, and the necessity
for a bill regulating the issuance Of in
functions. The letter states that ths
question under consideration viii not be
prolonged. only an hour being needed.
A similar letter was sent 70 Judge Tir-
relL
The second letter was addressed 20
Robert J.. Henry, a member OF the com
mittee, stating that no reply was re-
ceived TO the letter sent Judge TirreH
and asking that written acknowledgment
be made third letter was written BIZ
Henry, and told OF his
efforts 10 oF-ain hearing for labor men.
He said he proposed allowing the hear
ing yesterday morning, but the motion
was ruled out BY the chairman. IN
closing, he assured 4ir. Gompers he would
pursue the matter further