The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-01-29
S WEAPON
IS BOYCOTT, Says
GOMPERS
LABOR DEMANDS NOTHING But
JUSTICE AND souALlTY-eoY-
corT is AN INHERENT RIGHT
TO EVERY MAN.

NEW YORK, Jan. 29.-President
Samuel Gompers. OF the American
Federation OF Labor. was the pnnei'
pal speaker AT meeting OF the Eth
cal Social league. in the East Side
parish hall, last nighs. Gompers sub
feet was Trade unions and social
progress The greater part OF his
speech. though, was defense or the
boycott and a guarded arrangement
OF the court that recently sentenced
him 10 year In Jail.
Gompers said that the Sherman law,
which was enacted 70 protect the pub
| lie from the Vaccinations or great
CON binations OF wealth. has been de
cided by the supreme court 10 apply
10 organizations OF men and women.
A member OF any labor organization
may now be mulcted IN heavy dam
ages or sentenced by a federal court
10 years Imprisonment and me VI
| $4,000
lis Il not absurd TO say that there
Is no difference between combinations
of capital and combinations OF men
and women?" Gompers asked. and
then be added The trust deals IN
dead. inanimate things; does II not
differ from body OF men who can
not separate their labor from their
very flesh and blood?
If there is 10 come a better day, Is
IL 10 come by cataclysm,
revolution, or by a quiet,
orderly trades union movement!
II by legislation. or by Ju-
dicial Interpretation OF laws. trades
unions are 10 be outlawed. II We are
not TO be permitted 10 carry on our
work for special uplift, then what?
Labor is not typifed by the man with
the hoe; II stands erect and demands
nothing but justice and equality.
I'VE have been trying to get legisla-
tion that will treat men and women
differently from coal and pork and
they accuse Us OF wanting class and
special legislation. The words come
with poor grace considering the class
and special legislation OF the last half
century. See how easily great cor
poration gets rid OF a $2s.000.0O0 fine.
In regard TO strikes and the boy
colt, / don't like strikes. but dog
that can bite Is safe from many a
kick. There Is no power like we'll
organized union 10 prevent strikes
Il don't like the boycott. There 10
not man, woman or Cnllu tONdIu
whom | have ill-will: but there are
some won't deal with, some TO whom
prefer 10 give my trade rather than
10 others. When two people agree TO
do this, II Is q boycott.
They tell US the boycott Is for
eign institution. II 10 not; it's reyolu-
tionary American. From Adams time
II has been a natural weapon Of man
kind and for O court to throw itself
into q spasm because the word IL not
euphonious Is almost incomprehensible
to rational beings.
What property right has any con-
Germ In your patronage? You can
transfer IL or take II anywhere you
please. Call that process boycott or
what you please, IL Is an inherent right
OF man and we're going TO stand for
that right.
Il have said and hope may re-
tain my sanity 10 repeat again and
again." continued the speaker impress
sively, that when II comes to choice
between obeying a court order that
infringes the constitution. shall have
no hesitation in UNFOLDING the consu-
tutional guarantee.
Freedom OF speech and OF the
press is natural right. We shall con-
tinue TO uphold that right. and II some
men have to bear the consequences.
there are others"