Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-15
Printers Oath Indorsed by
Archbishop, Says Morrison.
NO MENACE TO CHURCH
And Nothing in It to Override Al
legiance to the State.
CONTEMPT CASE CONTINUED
Federation of Labor Secretary
Again Testifies Before Commit
tee Of Prosecutors"

The oath required of members of the
International Typographical Union, which
the committee of prosecutors in charge
of the contempt proceedings against Sam
uel Gompers. John Mitchell and Frank
Morrison, labor leaders, claim overrides
allegiance to church and state, was sub
mitted TO an archbishop Of the Catholic
Church and passed by him as such an
obligation as a member of that church
might take
This statement was made today by
Frank Morrison, secretary Of the Ameri-
can Federation Of Labor, during his cross
examination, which was continued be-
fore Justice Wright in Equity Court No. 2.
The witness said he is not Catholic,
but was informed that the oath was sub
mitted to one of the archbishops of this
country, which one he could not say, but
he knew there were thousands of men,
bers of that church who have taken the
obligation and he is not informed that
any of them ever had trouble with their
church as a result of taking the oath.
Mr.. Morrison stated that in his View
of the obligations of his oath as a men,
ber of the International Typographical
Union there was nothing in it that re-
quired him to violate his allegiance to
the government Of the United States.
Denounced by One Priest.
Attorney Daniel Davenport. who is con-
Quoting the prosecution. asked the wit
ness If it were not true that the print
er's OATH had been denounced from the
altar in Catholic churches and the sac
raments refused to persons who had
taken the oath. Mr. Morrison admitted
that some priest in Nebraska, or in that
section of the country. had so denounced
the obligation, but witness considered
the denunciation to be the individual act
Of the priest mentioned. The oath has
been in effect ever since 1896. witness
said, and thousands of Catholics have
subscribed to it.
Reading from the oath, Mr.. Davenport
asked Mr.. Morrison to explain the mean-
ing Of the words that my fidelity to the
union and my duty to the members there
Of shall in no sense be interfered with
by any allegiance that i may now or
hereafter owe to any other organization,
social, political or religious. secret or
otherwise" Mr.. Morrison stated he did
not consider it an abridgment OF his re-
ligious or political liberty. @
Does not this oath place your alle-
glance to the union above the obligation
to your church?' asked Mr.. Davenport. :.
1T does not IN my understanding OF
xts
do you not consider the nation to be
a political and social organization en-
titled to and demanding the allegiance
of it's citizens?" queried the lawyer.
Attorney Ralston objected, characteriz-
ing the inquiry as trick question, Dut
Mr.. Davenport insisted 1t was not.
LAS a citizen l owe allegiance to the
government Of this country" said Mr..
Morrison.
witness to the dual oath Of allegiance
and to do equal justice taken by Justice
Wright and his associates on the bench
of the District Supreme Court. The at
torney inquired If witness did not con-
slider that each judge has a duty to per
form in observing the obligations which
he cannot neglect tVade or turn ASIDE
from without mourning the curse of God
To the inquiry the witness answered
Yes, sir
Text Of Printers Oath.
The full text of the printers oath
which figured in the aross-examination
follows:
81 hereby solemnly and sincerely swear
Cor affirm) that I will not reveal any
business or proceedings of any meeting
of this or any subordinate union to which
1 may hereafter be attached, unless by
order of the union except to those whom
l know 10 De members III SOOO Stdnu-
ing thereof that I will without equivo-
cation or evasion and to the best of my
ability abide by the constitution. bylaws
and the adopted scale Of prices of any
union to which l may belong; that
will at all times support the laws,
regulations and decisions of the
International Typographical Union
and will carefully avoid giving aid or
succor to it's enemies and use all hon
orable means within my power to pro-
cure employment for members of the
International Typographical Union in
preference to others; that my ndelity
to the union and my duty to the men,
bers thereof shall in no sense be inter-
fered with by any allegiance that 1
may now or hereafter owe to any
other organization. social, political or
religious, secret or otherwise; that
will belong to no society OF combina-
ton composed wholly or partly Of print
ers with the intent or purpose to in
terfere with the trade Regulations or
influence or control the legislation of
this union or the election Of its off,
GERS; that / will not wrong a member
or see him or her wronged II in my
power to prevent. To all Of which 1
pledge my most sacred honor"
Calling OF the Boycott.