The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-11-13
LABOR HEARS
SENSATIONAL
STATEMENTS
President Gompers' Annual
Report to American FEEDER
alton of Labor Convention
Bitter One.
CONTINUED from Page One.)


barriers placed before then by public
opinion 49,.
1.-The labOrers Of this country want
to know where they are with regard to
the law. In labor injunction cases in
general they hold that not they them
selves, but the courts, have been vio-
lators OF the law.
AT length II has become evident to
all open-minded men that important
chances are impending in our methods
OF government, and especially with
reference to the status of political par
ties. Voters are now demanding bet
ter reasons for their support Of a par
ticular candidate than his nomination
by party or his endorsement by some
official or unofficial boss. They will no
longer submit to the rule of evasion
and false pretense found in platforms,
presidential messages and public adj
dresses.
In the progress being made to-
ward popular rule. labor can claim an
important, il not a leading part The
spirit OF liberty cannot be stayed even
by presidents, nor by armies and nav
les, nor by injunctions and Jail SEN
fences.
Referendum and Recall.
THE initiative and referendum are
now in full force in several states. are
indeed recognized in the constitution
of nine states, and are operative on
fundamental. and occasionally finan-
cial propositions in all, or nearly all.
the states of the union, and besides in
many cities on local propositions.
1.-THE last battle line Of the opposi-
ton is at the provision for the recall
Of judges. But that part of this gen.
eral reform has been in force in sew
eral cities for several years and in
four states during a shorter period. No
case of a worthy, deserving Judge be-
ing recalled, or a case where the re-
call of a Judge was of even doubtful
propriety, can be cited.
"Why all this placing of judicial of.
flcers on pedestals above other public
servants? This standardization of the
judiciary, this sanctimonious cant
about mob rule some Of which was in
President Taft's message vetoing the
Arizona admission bill, is mere cant
and drivel. The people who pay the
taxes, bear the brunt of wars do the
work OF the world, have as a clear
right to recall and discharge unfaith-
full officers. including the judiciary. as
they have to choose them in the first
instance. And they are as capable OF
forming an opinion in the one case as
in the other"
The fire holocaust in the Triangle
Shirt Waist Factory at New York.
which caused the death of nearly $50
persons. mostly women, came in for
comment by President Gompers. who
held 1t up as an example of the cruel
and blind selishness of class of en-
ployers in regard to the health and
safety of workers." In this connection
he recommended that industrial bodies
use their efforts to cause the enforce
ment of existing law and also the pro-
motion of inquiry as to needed law for
better sanitary and safe workshop con-
ditions
Work Of Prisoners.
In decrying the prevailing systems
Of conducting the penal institutions.
President GOmpers said: "Prsoners
should be required to work not for the
private profits of contractors. nor even
for the financial profit of the state,
but for the benefit of their dependents
and for their own reformation"
After telling his experiences in the
Gompers- Mitchell Morrison Supreme
Court contempt case. President Com
pers welded his hammer against sew
eral features Of court procedure which
he personally encountered. 1T should
be understood" he said, that when a
case Of this character is referred to an
examiner. obedience to subpoena. even
to the defendants to testify against
themselves. is expected to be obeyed,
and that they are expected to answer
any and all questions, no matter how
prevalent they may be. 1t is true that
counsel may object to the questions,
but the answer is expected and, under
order Of the court. compelled to be
given. 1t Is true that when the written
testimony Is presented. the court may
exclude those questions and the ans
wers, but they have been written and
they have been read by the Judge, and
must have some influence in forming
his judgment and decision"
Work In Congress.
The increasing influence and
strength Of the American Federation
of Labor in Congress was pointed out
by President Gompers. He said: THE
fifteen members Of the House Of Rep
resentatives holding trade union cards
OF membership frequently hold confer
ences with the officers Of the Fedora
ton. counselling with us as to the
best methods by which they could be
Of service to the cause Of labor and to
the people generally. They are: W. B
Wilson, coal miner. Democrat: Rob
ert E. Lee. Blacksmith, Democrat
John A. Martin. locomotive fremen
Democrat: William J. Cary. CONNER
cial telegraphers. Republican: Victor
L. Berger. typographical. Socialist
VIM. Hughes. textile workers. Demo
crat: Frank Buchanan. Str. iron work
ers, Democrat: James T. McDermott
commercial telegraphers. Democrat: