New-York tribune., 1912-03-13
BITTER FIGHT ON P|TNEY
Senate Agrees to Vote on Non1I-
nation To-day.
STORMY EXECUTIVE SESSION
New Jersey Chancellor's Labor
Decision Attacked and Defend
ed-Close Vote Expected.
fErnrn The Tribune Bureau. ]

From The Tribune Bureau
Washington. March l2-The fight against
the nomination of Chancellor Mahlon Pit
ney for the Supreme Court was resumed IN
the Senate to-day, the debate being brought
TO an end. after an executive session OF
three hours, only by an agreement TO Note
on the nomination at 4 o'clock tomorrow
The supporters Of Chancellor Pitney are
still confident that his nomination will he
confirmed but II is expected that the vote
will be close.
The session was one Of the stormiest
and most protracted in the recent history
OF Congress. All day long Senators had
prepared for the fight Senator Culberson,
OF Texas. led the attack, and In the
speeches the New Jersey jurist was as
sailed In bitter language, which extended
even to an attack on his general fitness for
the bench.
The regular Republicans unsuccessfully
sought 10 have the nomination pressed tn
a vote tonight, and contended that the
protrscted discussion was unnecessarily
agitating labor interests.
Indirect reference was made TO the fact
that Governor Woodrow Wilson had in
dorsed Chancellor Pitney. While the fight
was raging a telegram which Samuel ka-
lisch, OF the Supreme Court of New Jer-
sey. a Progressive. had addressed TO Sem
ator MARITIME. indorsing Mr.. Pitney, was
circulated in the chamber.
Senator O'Gorman. who, II is said, was
at first inclined TO favor the nomination,
was in the forefront OF those opposing 1t
on the floor of the Senate to-day. Senator
Root came To the defence OF tho New
Jersey Chancellor. Senators Williams, Cul-
berson and Cummns took the same view
as Senator O'Gorman, and Senators Bailey
and Smith. OF Michigan, were arrayed
against them.
The three hours Of discussion again
turned on the Interpretation Of Chancellor
Pitneys views on organized labor as eN-
pressed IN his opinion I'm the case OF the
George Jonas Glass Company against the
Glass Bottle Blowers Association. Up 10
the present stage OF the controversy no
objection has been made to the decision
itself which Is evidently regarded az a
proper one. Senator O'Gorman attacked
certain general expressions In the opinion
and other opposing Senators took exception
10 Chancellor Pitney's view that the Now
Jersey statute did not authorize "peaceable
persuasion by strikers TO induce workmen
TO quit the service OF an employer II this
persuasion had for its object the Gripping
Of the employers business.
In tho record OF the case which is be-
fore the Senate Vice Chancellor Bergen.
whose decision Chancellor Pltney sus-
tanned held that terror rciEned in the
striker ridden village for several days;
peaceful citizens seeking work were met
on the highways by strikers and turned
back; persons who sought 10 move into
the town were stopped. and permitted 10
proceed only through the interference OF
peace officers; private dwellings were vis-
tied by bands Of men TO deter strike
breakers. and one employe who returned TO
work was mysteriousiy assasslnated.
Senator Borah said IN defending Chan
cellor Pitney that tho conditions OF the
strike were such that II Was impossible 10
draw the lire between peaceable persuasion
and interference by threats, and no one OF
the opposing Senators attempted 10 combat
this view. but relied on statements In the
opinion. apart from the facts Of the case,
az their ground for opposing the confirma'
ton.
For time n seemed that the Senate
would SIT until late into the night, as the
necessity for niIing the vacancy in the
Supreme Court Is urgent The supporters
Of Chancellor Piiney refused to proIong the
controversy by sdjourning without action,
but finally agreed. AZ "a compromise, 10 con-
tinue II for another day. the forces arrayed
against Pitney agreeing 10 vote Tomorrow.