The Washington times., 1911-05-17
FIRST STEP TAKEN
BY COMMITTEE ON
GONTE EMPT CASE
SSINt - NuN SttSs
+ Attorneys Darlington and
Davenport Consider
Preliminaries.
MR.. BECK, THIRD
MEMBER, is AWAY
First Conference of Committee
Not Expected Before
Next Week.

Preliminary consideration of the con-
tempt inquiry against Samuel Gompers.
Frank Morrison, and John Mitchell, Of
the American Federation of Labor, Or
dered yesterday by Justice Dan Thew
Wright, of the District Supreme Court,
is being given today by two members Of
the inquiry committee, Attorneys J. j.
Darlington and Daniel Davenport
A conference of the committee may
not be held until next week, James
Beck, one of, the members, being in New
York. Mr.. Davenport. who is an attor-
ney, of Bridgeport, Conn, is at the New
Willard.
Notices of our appointment on the
committee were served late yesterday
afternoon" ]. j. Darlington said today.
Il have no idea when we will begin
work, Mr.. Beck being in New York, "
continued Mr.. Darlington, ''and do not
know what engagements may interfere
We will probably have a conference
with Justice Wright before proceeding.
No Defense Planned.
Gompers, Mitchell, and Morrison have
no plans for their defense, according 10
a statement this morning of Frank Nor
rison, secretary of the American FED
Grafton of Labor.
We will probably take no action TO-
ward defense, take 1t, until some rec
concentration is made by the commit
tee" said Mr.. Morrison. But we WILL
of course, protect our interests when
the time comes, If it comes. We do net
expect to appear before the commit
tee"
Attorney Darlington said no testimony
would be taken.
THE entire proceedings are matter
OF court record, requiring only examl'
nation and study of the reports, ne
said. Mr.. Darlington will probably be
chairman. His name was first In the
order of appointment. He was Leading
counsel for the Buck Stove and Range
Company, of St. Louis. from which the
contempt case grew.
Partially in selecting the committee
from attorneys who prosecuted Comp
ers, Mitchell, and Morrison, is denied by
some of those interested.
1T is an immemorial legal custom tc
make the appointments in the manner
i followed" said Justice Wright. This
custom is well established. In a judi
Cial proceedings of this character, 1t Is
always customary to appoint attorneys
OF IDe OppOSlIIS Ii
torneys would have had a right tc fee
/ had slighted them if l had not made
the appointments"
Denies He Is Prejudiced.
Attorney Darlington denied that hi'
connection with the former prosecution
of the labor leaders in the equity cas-
would influence or prejudice him in The
contempt inquiry now under way.
Il have no bias for or against Mr.
Gompers," said Mr.. Darlington. g.
simply performed my duty to my clients
in the Buck Stove and Range case ant
am through with it-all connections sew
cered. Now 1 am acting as a fair ant
Impartial officer of the court
1t is generally conceded, however
that the members of the committee oc
cupy a most delicate position. SOM
fear is expressed that II the committee
files contempt of court charges agains
the labor leaders another labor war
Involving anew the Buck Stove AM
Range Company. now at peace will
the American Federation Of Labor, ma!
be provoked.
1t is believed that Justice Wright, II
making up the personnel of the inquir!
committee, followed the procedure II
the case of Boss Cox in Ohio. At
torneys opposed to Cox in, similar in
curry were appointed by the court. Jus
tice Wright originally came from Ohio
The Buck Stove and Range attorney
are familiar with every phase and par
of the evidence.