Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-08
If Free Speech Means Prison,
He Will Not Finch.
DECLARATION IN COURT
Closely Questioned as to Phrases in
His Editorials.
ON STAND ALL THE MORNING
Hearing Enlivened by Tits Be-
tween Lawyers-John Mitchell
Called On.

II the exercise of free speech and a
Tree press involves the going to Jail, 1
Will not FINCH" declared Samuel Com
pers. president Of the American Fedora
ton OF Labor. in the course of his re-
sponses today to the inquiries propound-
ed to him in cross-examination by At
torney j. j. Darlington Of the committee
OIL prosecutors in the contempt hearing, in
progress before Justice Wright in EQUITY
Court No -
The labor leader declared that he
set the cause of labor and the privilege
VI Tree speech and a free press above
an. any tecnnical violation Of an injunc-
non OF a court which invaded the con-
insisted. however. that nothing said or
written by him since the Injunction of
Justice Gould became operative had
been done In aid of any boycott against
Tue Tue BUCK stove and Range Company,
but reiterated a former statement that
II the courts order forbade the right
or Tree speech he was prepared to take
the consequences, whatever they might
be.
In explanation of phrases in his edi.
torials reading bear in mind, and ut
should be borne in mind Mr.. Com
pers stated they We're not directed to
any particular readers, but were mere
expressions used from habit When he
crush Mr.. Van Cleave,' the witness
said. it was figure of speech, but he
was unable to say what it was meant
TO express except the idea that the prin-
cipies for which labor was contending
Wouid prevail even after the death of
Van Cleave or other antagonists.
Mr.. Gompers, in the course of his ex-
animation. availed himself of the i'm
mun1ty provided by section $50 of the Re-
Nised statutes. now repealed, but which
was in force at the time of the original
contempt proceedings, not to answer q
ms sworn answer to the original con-
tempt charges. Yesterday Mr. Gompers
waved this right when his counsel, Alton
q. Parker, attempted to interpose It,
Cross-Examination Ends.
The cross-examination of Mr. Gompers
was concluded shortly after the noon re-
cess. he was succeeded on the stand nv
John Mitchell. vice president of the
American Federation of Labor, who was
called on to explain his connection with
the signing of the urgent appeal" and
the alleged putting to a vote of reso-
luton In the convention of the United
Mine Workers, of which he was presi-
dent, filming any member of that organi-
zation who should purchase a stove from
the st. Louis concern that had procured
the injunction.
The nearing today was occasionally en-
l1vened by mild tits between counsel
and with amusing parties between Mr..
Darlington and Mr.. Gompers. The cross
examiner complained many times that
the witness was not answering the ques-
tons directly. Mr.. Gompers insisted that
he was doing the best he could, and
claimed the right to explain his re-
sponses to the interrogatories.
Mr.. Darlington resumed his cross-exam-
ination with the opening of court this
morning. He first called the attention of
the witness to a quotation from a speech
In which Mr.. Gompers used the express
sion despite the injunction of courts, -
and asked what was meant by 1t. The
witness declared it nothing more than
plain language, but admitted that prob
ably despite was not the best word ex-
pressive Of what was in his mind.
Asked About Pamphlets.