New-York tribune., 1909-11-10
PLEA FOR G0MPERS
H. 4. L. TO FIGHT CASE.
Labor Injunctions Denounced
old Age Pension Plan.

Toronto. Nov. s-f President Samuel
Gompers. Vice-President John Mitchell and
Secretary F ank Morrison OF the American
Federation OF Labor eventually have to
serve jail sentences for contempt Of court.
IL VIII not be due 10 lack OF support from
traces ulicnism- The executive council
or the fede. alton recommended 10 the con-
vention to-day that an appeal be taken 70
the United States Supreme Court. both In
the Bucks Stove and Range Company's
injunction case and in the contempt pro-
ceeolags growing out OF il. That the con-
vention will ratify the recommendation
iater IN its session seems certain. and that
the thee labor leaders and their fellow Of
hcers will be reelected for another year Is
predicted.
A vigorous denunciation OF the use OF
labor injunctions and of the denial Of trial
oy jury was embodied ii the councils re-
port to-day. This report said:
We recommend that an appeal be taken
from the decision rendered IN both ms
original Injunction as Well 5 the contempt
case growing out OF it. We cannot per
n;ll these decisions TO go unch4!iensed-
They an, CT fundamental rights, and eitnsr
the courts or Congress must safeguaru
We again enter our protest against the
application of the writ OF injun -uon In
labor disputes tunIess where an injunction
We hold that The ordinary use OF the in
junction writ In contentious betN cen work
ers and employees is an unwarranted inter
ference with the rights and liberties OF the
workers. ard IS intended. and is influence
used, TO intimidate workers. especially
when they are engaged in a struggle for
improved working conditions. Ii is a fact,
however, that such injuncIions are Issued.
II should be borne IN mind that in these
proceedings, Messrs. GOmpeTs. Mitchell and
MORRISON did not have the constitutional
right OF trial by jury. All the circum-
stances in this case go TO prove that con-
vicuon would not have followed II the case
had been submitted on its merits TO a jury
or their peers. We hold that, excepting
"a here contempt is in the presence OF tie
court. the liberty OF no citizen should be
C Cmmltted 10 the keeping Ut any one man,
regardless Of who he may 0e or what posi-
ton ne may hold: on the contrary, We hold
that citizen charged with violating an
Injunction, the penalty OF which involves
IN prlsonmeni. sht uld nave me same IegaI
rlght 10 a trial by jury that Is always
accorded TO a person charged with viola
tCn Of the criminal law To deny the right
the prOtectiCn and priceless heritsges which
were secured by them after centuries OF
perseverance,. struggle sacrifice, exile and
Whatever differences of opinion may ex-
tst among men as 10 any controversy be-
of our country who treasures freedom can
rest secure until trial by jury becomes 50
well recognized and so firmly established
in our legal Jurisprudence that no man
will ever again attempt TO deny this es-
sential and historic right. No class has
suffered so much from the tyranny or au-
tOcrarc power as the working people;
none struggled mere heroically than they
70 secure the blessings OF true liberty,
and trial by jury, and IL now devolves
upon the wage earners 70 protect. defend
and maintain inviolate this priceless prln-
clple OF equity and justice
On the subject OF old age pensions the
council reported a hill providing for the or
Of h. Au1 =
10 be composed OF persons more than sixty
five years old, who do not own property
worth more thar $3.50 or whose income
does not exceed s2i0 year. II this bill is
passed BY Congress these persons may
make application to the Secretary OF War
for pension enlistment" and shall re-
ceive from the government sl20 a year. in
quarterly instalments.
The report recommends that every effort
be made 10 assist in the work OF conServa-
tion uf natural resources A continuation
CT work among unorganized labor is urged.
and each affiliated Organization is asked
more thoroughly 10 advertise the names
OF hrms which employ union labor and
conduct their Establishments under sani-
tsry conditions"
Referring 70 the work o. ths special COM
mittee or industrial education the report
says.
Organized labor favors that plan OF in
Custrlal training VIII ch viii give our boys
and Girls such tIaLnlng as WI! neip them
70 advance after they are in industry. We
believe that as much attention should be
given 10 tire pro per education OF those who
work a. cur Industry az is now given TO
tho Sc who prepare TO enter professional
and managerial careers
In conclusion. the executive council saws:
We desire 10 lay the greatest emphasis
upon the primary facts that the great cen
tral thought and intent OF the American
Federation Of Labo is an imprCv stand
ard OF life and a more intense loyalty and
cevo' ion 10 the fundamental and original
spirit o. liberty Of thought. act and ex-
preston 10 all our people.