Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-01-06

American Federation of Labor. speak
ing today before the Senate subcom-
mtttee on judiciary in favor of the
Clayton anti-injunction and contempt
bills. gave answer to criticism aimed at
the organization Of workers which he
heads because OF the trial and con-
viction for dynamiting of officers Of
the Structural Ironworkers' Union.
If ever the time shall come" said
Mr.. Gompers in the climax of his ad-
dress. when government by dynamite
shall be attempted (and let us hope
and work that 1t never shall Gomez 1t
will have as its main cause the theory
and policy upon which Is based gov
ernment by fnjunction-personal gov
ernment foisted upon our people in
stead of a government by law"
In closing hts statement, which in
cluded an assault upon employers and
manufacturers associations. particu-
larly the United States Steel Corpora
tion and the National Erectors' Asso-
citation. Mr.. Gompers declared that or
ganized labor would not repudiate the
Structural Ironworkers' Unions land
of organized capital and Unsuitable, un-
curbed greed for profits"
Addition to Burdens.
Though all censure those whom men
may deem guilty Of dynamite conspiracy
Mr. Gompers continued, none feels the
terrible consequences Of the Indianapolis
trial more keenly than the men OF or
sanized labor. There have been added
leartache and sorrow to our already
heavy burdens. The men accused and
sentenced cannot suffer the penalties
alone-upon them and ali workingmen
iall the suffering and penalty.
But what of the conspiracy of or
Sanized capital-the conspiracy to murder
the liberty Of the toilers, to tear from
them the means OF protection by which
they have bettered their condition, to
ieave them bare and defenseless in the
competitive struggle? Is not such a con-
spiracy sufficiently dastardly to incur
some odium? Should the conspirators.
with their hands stained with life blood
OF mems ambition, happiness, liberty be
accorded nothing but honor, power re-
spectability? Should they be allowed to
continue TO manipulate the powers of
government, the administration Of JUS
tice until the oppressed find the burdens
intolerable?
Should Seek Social Justice.
More wise 1t is to seek social Justice
While yet we may. The judge who pre-
sided at the trial realized one of the
1ssues-government by injunction, law
less, autocratic, irresponsible exercise
or governmental authority, according
privileges to the strong and denying
Justice to the weak"
Judge Anderson, who presided over the
trial OF the ironworkers, was referred
10 particularly by Mr.. Gompers, when
ne declared that "our whole social or
sanitation seems to be on trial"
Even the Judge who tried the case.
smugiy assured of personal irresponsi-
bihty, said Mr.. Gompers. .'fatuously de-
Jared that the evidence in this case
VIII convince any impartial person that
government by injunction is infinitely
70 be preferred TO government by dyna-
mite
The worthy judge had blindly
chanced upon one of the causes. but
had failed to realize casual relationship.
me words to him were simply a con-
Nenuonal epigram-he does not know
that there is a law of life just as i'm
lnutable as the law OF gravitation: of
attraction and repulsion a law of life
which meets tyranny and Injustice by
resistance. The inaptness aye, the un-
"arrantable character. of this utterance
o! the Judge discloses how far afield
outside Of the case he went TO take
another slap at labor"
Defense of Federation.
Mr.. Gompers defended the American
Federation OF Labor as a force for bet.
terment of conditions and resented the
attacks made upon 1t since the begfnn,ne
of the dynamiters' case
we have been investigated he said
from the first insinuation that the
enemies OF our movement made to ge,
tho men higher up and because of the,,
directly and indirectly connecting IN,
name with the men supposedly 'highe,
up i have declared my readiness at an,
time to submit for examination by any
representatives of constituted authority o,
by a committee of any respectable bod,
OF citizens. every document, paper O,
account. financial otherwise
have challenged. and now challenge
any OF our enemies TO show tina
there has been any unlawful conduc
or any connection direct remote, witt
any violence in connection with any labor
controversy or otherwise
Frank Morrison, secretary of tn