The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1916-12-30
NO AGREEMENT THAT -.
|. ". VS. QUIT RANGE
Harrison George Gives the Facts
: Regarding Dismissal of
Gases.
Especial Correspondence

Especial Correspondence
In open court before Judge Cant at
Duluth Friday, the 18th. a settlement
proposed by the state and previously
ratified by all the defendant prisoners
and acknowledged by them as the
best that could probably be obtained
even after long and expensive trials.
the state made a complete surrender
on murder charges against all eight
defendants; releasing Tfesea, Scar
lett, Schmidt. Mrs. Malitza Masono-
vlch and John Orlandich; substituting
a. charge of manslaughter. against
Masonovich, Cernogorovioh and Nick
ich to which these three pleaded
guilty.
Readers will understand that the
defendants them- olives, knowing all
conditions and familiar with the sit
uat1on as regards the possibility of a
less fortunate outcome in case of
trial, were the ones best fitted to de-
eide whether any proposal of settle
ment affecting them should be con-
sldered. This was done and the pris-
oners were the adjudicators of their
own cases insofar as the acceptance
or rejection of any plan of settlement
was involved.
On Friday the Sth, the states at
torney in a talk over various matters
intimated to the defense counsel that
perhaps possible disposition could
be arranged as might be mutually
agreeable and satisfactory. Counsel
for both sides agreed that the out
come of the trials was uncertain and
considering the heavy expense at
tendant, a settlement might be adj
vantageous. Defense counsel how
ever, stated that no settlement re-
stricting activities of the union or in
fringing upon the principles con-
tended for, could be thought of. ALSO
, that no action could be possible un-
less firstly, the matter be approved
by the defense committee at Virginia;
ard secondly, the consent of the trial
judge be obtained. The next day Mr..
Greene, states attorney, hurried to
Virginia to consult with the trial
judge. Having obtained sanction
from the judge, Greene commune
Gated on Monday with the defense
counsel and they in turn summoned
the defense committee to Duluth for
conference.
) Put up to Defendants.
After considering it the committee
agreed that it was important enough
to warrant the plan being turned over
to all the defendants in Jail for their
consideration. 1t being impossible to
obtain satisfactory interviews in the
small cells at the Jail, it was ar
ranged for all prisoners to be brought
to the courth ouse and interviewed in
the open jury room. No one was
present except the prisoners, their at
torneys and the Defense Committee,
The matter was fully discussed with
Tresca, Scarlet and Schmidt and it
was represented to them as merely
submitted to them by counsel and
committee as matter Of duty and
without any recommendation one
way or the other; that if they desired,
counsel would report negotiations off
and proceed to trial. After careful
inquiry the three organizers stated
that the courtesy and importance of
the matter suggested a submission of
the entire plan to the other defend
ants, Masonovich, Cernogorovich,
Nickich and Orlandich for their sole
decision as to what action should
finally be taken.
Approve Settlement.
Speaking to these four through
Nickich, Gilday said, "Now boys, this
is a matter in which you have the
entire say, nothing has been decided
upon, nothing will be without your
thorough consent and approval: If
you approve we will treat with the
other side and if Motive shall go to
trial." After the details had been
given them, they with one accord
shouted their approval; Philip Ma
sonovich saying, II will be glad to take
three times one year if these other
men"-pointing to Tresca, Schmidt
and Soarlett-'could be free, because
they can do more good than we can.
The union provides for my family, SO
what do care. ! can serve my short
sentence standing on my head"
free. offered to take Phillips term
and learning it could not be done in
sisted that he be imprisoned with the
others. The rest persuaded him at
last, to go out and look after the Ma
sonovich family until Phillip be re-
leased; then-while all present, al
ready deeply moved by the spirit of
solidarity shown-strove vainly to
conceal their emotions, Cernogoro:
vich and Nickich each begged that
they be allowed to assume the sem
tence of Phillip and have it added to
their own SO Phillip might go free:
The impossibility Of this reaching
their understanding they gave COR
dial assent to the plans and in keep
ing with some simple, touching native
custom, all clasped hands and kissed
each other to signify mutual devotion
and ratification of the agreement
No Agreement to Leave Range.
A settlement assured, next morn
ing in open court, Masonovich, Nick
tch and Cernogorovich were formally
sentenced to an indeterminate term
eligible to parole in one pear. Mrs
Masonovieh and Orlandich, were dis
missed; and Tresca, Scarlet and
Schmidt released upon an indefinite
postponement without bond or recog-
nizance for their return and the ex-
pressed understanding that they se
from the range only when their con-
venience permitted and they were SO
disposed nor was any exaction made
limiting their activitiea IN 0r off fhc