The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-11-14
BY Associated Press.

Atlanta, Nov. 13.-President Samuel
Gompers, in formally opening the
thirty-f1r annual convention of the
American Federation of Labor here
today. declared that he and the other
two labor leaders sentenced to Jail for
contempt of court were ready and
willing to serve their sentences if they
must.
I'VE don't want to go to jail" said
Mr.. Gompers. But if we must we
are ready. Others perhaps better than
we have gone to jail in defense of
right"
The subject of the famous Gompers-
Morrison Mitchell contempt cases was
brought up by c. T. Ladson, attorney
for the Atlanta Federation of Trades,
in the course of a welcoming address
to the delegates, during which he re-
viewed the case and soundly excoriat-
ed Justice Wright of the supreme
court of the District of Columbia
If any man or labor union is guilty
of violating the law" said Mr.. Comp
ers later in responding to the various
addresses of welcome. "he should be
indicted and then tried by jury Of
his .countrymen. But deny the right
of judge to issue an injunction de-
priving me of my constitutional right.
It isn't SO much the assumption of
power as the assumption of jurisdic-
ton that we object to-
Mr.. Gompers said that this contempt
case reminded him of Joel Chandler
Harris's famous story of the Tar
Baby" He 1ikened Justice Wright to
ants to the tar baby"
sHe can Just get rid oftus." said Mr.,
Gompers. And B.rer Fox-the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor. -he car teg'
lay low" Mr.. Gompers declared there
was a manifest discomfort among peo-
pie everywhere for better conception
Of justice and right which he said must
WELCOMED BY SMITH.
Governor Hoke Smith, who was in
troduced as member of the Black
smiths union, Mayor Courtland S.
Winn, "of the bricklayers union" and
Congressman William Schley Howard,
who belongs to the Farmers union,
were among those who helped well
come the visiting delegates.
Though Mayor Winn explained that
Atlanta was dry town" he assured
the visitors that it rained some times.
Governor Smith later rebuked him for
the statement, declaring that he did
not know how to get rid of the quail
ties of dry town and would not tell
If he did.
"1 never found a man bettered or
the condition Of his family improved
by getting rid of the qualities of a
dry town. he said
The governor provoked great en-
thusiasm among the delegates when
he declared that if he belonged to the
crafts he always would carry his union
card and would keep in good stand
ing.
After the committee on credentials
had reported that 346 delegates, repre-
senting SO organizations. were pres
ent, the various standing committees
were named and the convention was
ready to proceed to business.
BELIEVE M'NAMARAS INNOCENT.
With the preiiminaries over. includ-
ing the seating of all contested dele
gates to the convention. the body is
ready for business tomorrow.
The federation voted unanimously to
instruct President Gompers to send a
message to the Mcnamara brothers in
jail at Los Angeles that the members
of the organization are firm in the
belief that they are innocent and as
suring them of their continued sup
port. The motion followed the read
ing of telegram from the McNamaras
thanking the federation officials and
through them the representatives of
affiliated organizations and depart
ments for their efforts in their be-
half.