Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-20
any other method suiting it's conyen.
fence.
Lacks Tact, But Will Not Lie"


ing in open court on the charge that he
is guilty of contempt of the District
Supreme Court, lacks tact, speaks too
plainly. but won't lie," according to
the statement of his counsel, Alton B.
Parker, who argued for hearing of
the contempt proceedings In open
court.
Mr.. Parker said he wanted the court
to see and hear who was telling the
truth and declared there could be but
one decision that Gompers and his as
sociates will tell the truth and will not
lie
Mr.. Parker urged that the respondents
had legal and a moral right to be
heard IL, open court. Justice Wright Of
argument. provided the respondents
would present themselves in court and
submit to examination, as the court said
he had understood Mr.. Parker to make
the proffer, so that the court could de-
termine that the respondents would tell
the truth
Mr.. Parker withdrew the proposition
and declined to make terms or condi-
tons on what he claimed to be the
right of Gompers and his associates
and proceeded to argue at length that
the open hearing should be granted
and that the committee of prosecutors"
should prove their charges before
Gompers Mitchell and Morrison should
be required to submit to any examina-
ton.
Justice Wright Presides.
Court held general term for the admis-
sion of several attorneys to practice be-
fore taking up the Gompers hearing. That
court was then adjourned sine die. and
Chief Justice Clabaugh, vacating his seat
in the center Of the bench. gave way to
Justice Wright. who took the vacant
chair. The chief justice occupied the
chair to the right of the presiding justice
and the other members of the court
ranged themselves according to seniority,
Justices Barnard and Gould passing from
the right side of the bench to the left
and Justice Anderson passing to the right
side Justice Stafford being the junior
member. retained his regular position.
AS soon as he had taken the position
directed the crier to open Equity Court
No. 2, in which he presided. He then
announced that as the charges pre-
ferred against Samuel Gompers and his
associates alleged a contempt against
the entire court, he had requested the
chief justice and the associate justices
to sit with him at such hearings as
may be necessary in this case.
Labor Leaders Present.
Gompers, Mitchell and Morrison were
early in court. With them were the
other six members Of the general coun-
Gil of the American Federation Of Labor,
which has been in session in the city.
The labor men not involved in the con-
tempt proceedings followed with close
attention the arguments Of counsel for
and against their associates.
The general term room was crowded to
suffocation with members of the bar.
labor leaders and others interested in the
proceeding. Additional benches had been
provided to accommodate the audience,
but they were all occupied long before
the hour for the hearing had arrived.
Attorneys Alton B. Parker of New
York and Ralston, Siddons & Richard
son Of the local bar represented the
respondents. Attorneys ]. J. Darling
ton and c. r. Wilson, members Of the
committee of prosecutors were in
court The other two members of the
committee are absent from the city
They are Daniel Davenport Of Connec-
ticut and James NJ. Beck Of New York
city.