The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1913-01-31
JUDGE ANDERSON ACCUSED.
Gonnpers Says He Went Out of His
Way to Willy Labor.

Gompers Says He Went Out of His
Way to Willy Labor.
Samuel Gompers. president of the
American Federation of Labor, speak
ing few days ago before the senate
subcommittee on judiciary in favor Of
the Clayton anti-injunction and con
tempt bills, gave answer to criticisms
aimed at the organization of workers
which he heads because Of the trial
and conviction of officers of the Struc
tulal Iron Workers union.
IF ever the time shall come" said
hlr Gompers, when government by
dynamite shall be attempted let
us hope and work that it never shall
comeij will have as its main cause
the theory aud policy upon which is
based government by injunction-per-
sona GOV eminent fOiSted upon our peo-
pie instead of government by law"
Mr.. Gumpcrs declared that organized
labor would not repudiate the struc-
turul iron workers unions land leave
them helpless aud at the mercy of or
gained capital and Unsuitable, I'M
curbed greed for profits"
Though all ceusure those whom men
may deem guilty of dynamite conspir
acy," the federation leader continued.
none feel the terrible consequences of
the linda lapo,is trial more keenly than
the men Of organized labor. There
have been added heartaches and sor-
row to our already heavy burdens
The men accused and sentenced cannot
suffer the penalties a!one-upon them
and all workingmen fail the suffering
and penalty.
But what of the conspiracy of or
gani2ed capital the conspiracy to muir
der the liberty of the tOilerS. to tear
from them the means of protection by
which they have bettered their condi.
ton, to leave them bare and defense
less in the competitive struggle? Is not
such conspiracy sufficiently bastard
~ to incur some odium? Should the
conspirators with their hands stained
with the life blood of mems ambition.
happiness, liberty, be accorded nothing
but honor, power, responsibility?
Should they be allowed to continue to
manipulate the powers of government,
the administration of justice, until the
oppressed find the burden intolerabei
More wise it is to seek social justice
while yet we may. The judge who pre-
sided Mt the trial realized one of the is
government by injunction, law
less, autocratic. irresponsible exercise
of governmental authority. according
privileges to the strong and denying
justice to the weak.
Even the Judge who tried the case,
smugiy assured of personal irreSponsi-
bility," Mr.. GomperS said. "fatuously
declared that the evidence in this case
will convince any impartial person that
government by injunction is infinitely
to he preferred to government by dyna-
mite
The worthy judge had blindly chanc-
ed upon one of the causes, but had
failed to realize casual relationship.
The words to him were simply Il con
ventional epigram. He does not know
that there is a law of life just as i'm
mutable as the law of gravitation. of
attraction and repulsion, a law of life
which meets tyranny and injustice by
resistance. The inaptness-aye, the
unwarrantable character-of this utter
ance Of the judge discloses how far
afield outside of the case he went to
take another slap at labor"
Mr.. GOmpers said that the employers
Dnvpr had n thOupht of tho oOnS Instructive
ability of the workers He condemned
In this connection the National Erec-
tors association, the National Manu-
facturers' association and the United
States Steel corporation.
For six years the fight went on" he
said. "All of the forces of organized
society were used against these men.
You say that these men resorted to for
hidden methods of violence and even
sacrificed lives. You condemn their
methods of fighting as elemental, bru-
tai. OF any of those who are guilty
the condemnation is true. But | ask
you were the methods used by the en-
ployers less deadly to humanity and
freedom? Do you think that one side
can play with the forces of injustice
and tyranny and not lead to a defen-
sive move on the part of the other?
Each will protect his own interests.
Would anybody else do that for himi"