New-York tribune., 1911-02-13
COMPERS IS OPTIMISTIC
Expects AcquittaI en- Contempt
of Court Charge.
LABOR'S FUTURE BRIGHT
Leader Speaks Before Large
Audience at Mrs, Martin ".
I,ittleton's Public Forum.

samue, Compers. president OF the Ameri-
can Federation OF Labor, told an auo'eHce
of r,ora than twelve hundred men and
woman a, Mrs. Martin ". Littleton's Puo-
lie Forum. In Port Washington. Long ISL
and. Yesterday afternoon, that he was con-
fden, that the Supreme Court would acouit
John Mitchell. Frank Morrison and him.
self OF contempt of court when IL an
nounce It's decision. He was also opu-
mistic for the future OF labor. mrs b'ue-
ton, who presided, introduced MIN as
an old soldier in the warfare fer the Flents
of labor. Beginning with tie assertion mat
he could conceive OF no better day tnan the
anniversary OF Lincoln's birth tor ois-
cussing the subject he was 10 speak upon,
Mr.. Gompers said:
"Lincoln's work is just about beginning
to be understood. He came from the COM
mon people and reached the highest once
in the land, but he always remained true
70 himself and true to the people He fore
saw that when the shackles OF human saV-
cry were broken then would arise the aues-
ton of the right OF the producer OF wealth
10 snare IN the ItSullS oL MS WI
I'VE say that Il is blot upon our boast
ed civilization when people cannot find
work. Those who hope for the crushing OF
organized labor are living In q fools para
disc. Organized labor is not going out OF
existence so long as there is wrong to
right.
The representatives Of labor here on the
platform do not appear TO be bit scared
because, under the provisions OF the Sher-
man antitrust bill. they ere designated
illegal traders. This law was intended tc
protect the people against the trusts and
corporations but 1t has now been SO per-
verted that II doesn't mean the trusts. but
the men and women who only control their
own right to work For the sake of money
men and public officials have stolen the
power from tho people and vested it in
themselves Great republics Of forne,
days have perished when the rights Of tht
people to protect themselves from oppres-
sion and tyranny were taken away.
What great money getter has been put
In Jail? What great corporation has beer
prosecuted: One fine OF s29.0o0.0o0 was
IMPOSED, but II was written on ice on g
summer day.
Free speech and free press were not
put in the original Constitution OF th'
United States as il was then thought tina,
II was ordained. The first amendment &C
the Constitution was the one granting free
dom Of worship. free speech and free
press, freedom OF assembly and the right ot
petition. John Mitchell. Frank Morrison
and ! myself have been sentenced TO jsi
fer freedom Of speech.
THE United States Court has heard tht
appeal, and on Tuesday il hands down it.
decision which J trust may give freedon
of speech ami freedom Of press. J trus
Il will decide the whole cuestion-tha
courts shall heed freedom Of speech and
freedom Of the press in advance Of It's Ut
teranes and thus restore to the people theil
constitutional rights.
Should the courts decide otherwise. We
will so 10 JAIL and the fight for freedom OF
speech and freedom Of press must be fought
all over again. We shall have to appeal to
the people. who feel will respond in their
own way and IN a right way, dictated by
their hearts and consciences and then nc
picayune judge shall attempt to set Il
aside.
working people are going to get more
When the worker is killed or Injured we
purpose that the burden shall be borne oy
the industry and not by the family. We
purpose 10 make every succeeding day bet
ter than the day before. We purpose to put
forth constant effort. to so down into the
depths ard bring up the poor and misera bic
ana instn into them praciicabllity, IDEAL
ity and better thought"
Many labor representatives. were present
Mr. Littleton. who had planned to attend
the forum, was called away Unexpectedly.