Los Angeles herald., 1909-11-09
GREETS
LABOR LEADERS
A. F. OF |. CONVENTION HELD
AT TORONTO
Head of American Organization In
ssts on Right of Free Speech
and Champions His
Cause

TORONTO, Ont, Nov. S.--"We are
not going TO be drawn into a revolu-
tion," said President Gompers, re-
spending to the welcome extended him
today at the annual convention of the
American Federation of Labor
"The American labor movement" he
continued, lis a rational movement,
and we are going TO hold together.
I'VE realize the wrongs OF the past
and present. We do not under-esti-
mate the power of our opponents, but
we purpose to work out our emancipa-
tion in our own way, not by reVoiu-
ton, but by evolution, and If there be
a wrong done by any class of society
the men of organized labor will be
found defending themselves, not the
aggressors, whoever may be wrong.
The labor movement must always be
right"
There was great interest in Com
pers' annual report. In 1T he discussed
at length the recent decision of the
court of appeals of the District of Co
lumbia, under which, unless oYerruled
by the supreme court Mr.. Mitchell,
Mr.. Morrison and himself must serve
Jail sentences for contempt of court in
the Bucks Stove and Range company
boycott case.
Gompers contended the case involved
the constitutional right of free speech
and a free press and declared the whole
people were aroused to the seriousness
of the situation.
Doctrine Vicious
'I repeat and emphasize this fact"
he said that the doctrine that the
citizen must yield obedience to every
order of the court, Notwithstanding
that order transcends inherent, ma
tural human rights, guaranteed by the
constitution of our country, is vicious
and repugnant to liberty and human
freedom and that it is our duty, our
imperative duty, to protest
The federation settled bitter faction
al disputes, refusing to admit dele
gates representing the Ohio and Iowa
state federations, and from other or
ganizations in Detroit, Davenport and
Cedar Rapids, Birmingham and Erie,
Pa.
After the convention had refused to
recognize delegates from several or
ganizations without charters, Presi-
dent Gompers ruled that any organ
ization which did not hold a char
ter from the federation was not en-
titled to representation in the con-
vention. He said appeals already had
been taken against the action Of the
executive council in the matter OF re-
volSing these charters, and that the
executive council would recommend in
it's report that the matter be referred
to a committee.
Canada Welcomes
Canada extended a warm welcome to
the representatives of organized labor,
who have come from the length and
breadth of the continent to attend the
convention.
While the annual report of Samuel
Gompers, the president of the fedora
ton, is always looked forward to with
interest, never in the twenty-seven
years of his leadership has that re-
port been more eagerly awaited than
today.
The recent decision of the court of
appeals of the District of Columbia,
affirming the sentences of imprison-
ment imposed upon President Com
pers, Vice President John Mitchell and
Secretary Frank Morrison, for con-
tempt of court in the Bucks Stove and
Range company case, has brought
these officers of the federation within
the shadow of prison walls, and it is
for the convention to decide whether
the case shall be appealed to the
United States supreme court.
Mr.. Gompers has contended the con-
stitutional right of free speech and
the freedom of the press is involved in
the contempt proceedings.