Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-27
ON HIS own MOTION
No One Asked SuIzer to Quote
Gompers' Editorial.
ExONERATES LABOR MEN
Representative Witness in Boycott
Contempt Proceedings.
MITCHELL ANSWER NOT FILED
Attorney Ralston Intimates 1t Will
Be Forthcoming in a
Few Days.

Representative SulZcf OF New foth tfS-
titled today before Justice Wright in
Equity Court No in the contempt pro-
ceedinSs against Samuel Gompers, John
Mitchell and Frank Morrison. labor lead
ers. He exonerated these officers of the
American Federation of Labor from the
imputation that the Incorporating OF the
Gompers editorial in the Sulzer speech
rendered in Congress March II. 1905. had
been instisatcd by them.
Mr.. SulZer declared he has been receiv-
ing the American Federationist regularly
for many years. and that he inserted the
editorial in a speech on his own initiative
Asked by Attorney Daniel Davenport of
the committee of prosecutors on cross
examination why he made the speech.
Mr. Sulzer said he thought the matter of
sufficient moment to be called 10 the at
tention of the people.
When pressed for reason why ne
chose this particular date Tor making tne
speech. MIR. Sulzer declared he made ms
speeches when the spirit moved him. when
he had time or could be recognized by the
chair.
The witness denied that the meeting OF
the executive council, A. F. of L., March
16 or the conference of protest attended
by thousands of labor men March Is, had
influenced him i'm the choice of the time
for making the speech.
He also denied that A. +. Holder or
Thomas +. Tracy, names suggested by
Mr.. Davenport, had requested that the
speech be rendered at this time.
Answer Not Ready.
The answer of John Mitchell. vice presi-
dent Of the A. F. of L., to the query Of
Justice Wright concerning the views of
Mitchell on obedience to orders of in
ferior courts, was not filed today. At
S1,n
paper was not quite ready for presenta-
ton to Justice Wright. He intimated the
reply would be forthcoming in few
days.
At the conclusion Of Mr.. Suffers testi-
mony Mr.. Ralston announced the testi-
taking up his rebuttal evidence Mr..
Davenport stated that he understood
Samuel Gompers was to again take the
stand. but as he had not been presented
by his counsel the committee of prose-
cutorS desired to reserve the right to re-
call Gompers if the evidence adduced to-
day made such proceeding desira BILE.
Mr.. Davenport then proceeded to read
into the record statements which, he
claims refute the testimony of GOmperS.
Mitchell and Morrison that the boycott
ceased when Justice Gould signed tenn
porary injunction in December. 1871
Other documentary evidence was pre-
sented tending to deny other statements
Udue Dy tIc respondents NHCil aOiNhSS
to the contempt charges.
Direct Examination Brief.
The direct examination of Representa-
tive Sulzer was brief. He was shown his
speech of March II. 1905, by Attorney
kalston and asked how his attention was
called to the editorial which he had in
corporated in the speech. Witness an
he ,la RI, tho EalPra-
zionist and had clipped the editorial for
use in his speech. No member of the A.
F. of l.. had suggested that lie use it, he
said.
Mr.. Davenport then took the witness in
hand He first inquired when Mr.. Sulzer
had been asked # any one had requested
the use of the editorial. The witness
stated it was few days ago. Asked why
he was so clear about l.. Mr.. SulZer re-
sponded. Il have good memory as to
how | make speeches and why and where
make them.
did you know that :;OOoO copies of this
editorial and speech We're distributed?"
inquired Mr.. Davenport.
No answered the witness, but
regret that more We're not sent out
Mr.. Davenport having secured an ad-
mission from the witness that he is a
lawyer. inquired if the witness had sought
the distribution of the Gompers editorial
because it was legal crtique of the
United States Supreme Court decision in
the case Mr. Sulzer declared he had not
so regarded if. nor had he considered ii a
travesty on the decision as Mr.. Davenport
had characterized it.
Cheapest Information Agency.
Mr. Suzer said: The decision of the
United States Supreme Court is one thing
the comment on it by Mr.. Gompers is
another. l thought both of sufficient
moment to have them reach the people
as cheaply as possible. and the cheap
est agency of information we have is
the Congressional Record
Mr.. Suizer admitted he permitted the
distribution of the speech and editorial
under his frank.
Hearing of the contempt proceedings
before the full bench will occur March