New-York tribune., 1918-11-30
Labor Leaders Here Assert
Agitation for Strike Dec. 9
VIII Be Pushed
"
Communication Not
Justice, They Say
Secretary of A. F. of L.
Issues Statement of
Protest

declared that nationwide campaign
would be begun at once for the liberia
.ion of Thomas ]. Mooney.
They ,ssclted that organized labor
throughout the country was express
ing disaupro> al of the action OF Gov
crEor stephens of California in com
muting to life Imprisonment the SEN
tence of death which Mooney was to
have suffered on December 13, for his
alleged guilt in the killing Of ten per-
sons by a bomb explosion in San Fran
cisco during = preparedness parade In
1915
In Washington, Frank Morrison, SEQ
retary Of the American Federation Of
Labor, Issued a statement declaring
the Governors action does not settle
this case"
w. D. Patterson, represen tative Of
the International Workers Defence
League, after a conference with labor
leaders yesterday, announced that the
agitation for general strike to be
held on December would now take
definite form as demonstration
against the California Governors fail
ure to pardon Mooney.
No Let-up in Fight
Mr.. Patterson was authorized to is
sue statement giving labors view on
the order for Moneys imprisonment
for life. The statement says:
There will be no let up in th battle
Tor the liberation of Tom Mooney and
Warren L. Billings, victims OF cor
porate greed in California,
The communication of MONEYS
death sentence to life imprisonment
by Governor Stephens is not justice
but is a victory for those who sought
Moneys execution. Instead OF an
instant death by hanging. our brother
has been condemned to a death of
slow torture in one of the foulest
prisons in America. Those who think
that this action viii close the demands
for justice will soon have reasons to
realize their mistake
The defence is more determined
than ever to force the issue now.
Tho agitation for general strike
on December 8 will now take
definite form, and despite the actions
OF few traitors to the working
PEOPLE occupying high places in the
American labor movement, the rank
and file of labor are making the Moon
ey case their issue. They will not
allow Tom Mooney to be buried alive
IN California prison, which is the
living tomb Of many of our brothers.
We have exposed the most gigantic
perjury plot in the history Of Ameri-
can Jurisprudence and knowing ius-
tice to be on our side, will make no
compromise now.
Talk About Justice
"California's Governor, tool of the
San Francisco Chamber of Commerce,
harps about justice and at the Same
time condemns man to a slow, living
death. Justice, indeed, but not the
sort that labor will demand for Tom
Mooney.
"The Governor also makes the in
teresting discovery that the Mooney
case is not labor case, after a Federal
Investigation committee appointed by
President Wilson found that the
< Mooney case was very much q labor
ease. The recent startling disclosures
of j. B. Densmore, of the United States
Department of Labor, prove beyond ali
doubt that Mooney is the victim of a
deliberate conspiracy, aimed at the
whole of the labor movement
"All plans for general cessation
Of work outlined by the San Francisco
S~defence organized on behalf OF
Mooney will be carried out so far as
lies in our power. We have assurance q
from the labor forces throughout the
nation that the taking of the strike
vote will continue, and the tie-up viii
come on December 8, unless the na-
tional authorities obtain the Justice
refused BY those in power in California.
The enemies of labor have forced the
Issue There will be no compromise
with them now. Mooney must be freed
or given new trial. Organized labor
stands as unit upon this demand"
Omclals OF the United Hebrew Trades
saio they were preparing to hole
Mooney demonstrations.
Morrison's View Of Case
Secretary Morrison's statement. is.
sued in Washington, follows:
"Organized labor will be in full ac.
cord with Governor Stephens's state
nient that:
"'It is. of course, unnecessary te
argue the point that whatever Moon.
eys character or his past record nigh
be determined upon its merits
In my judgment, however, the
communication does not in any wa,
settle this case
ut must be recalled that the trad
union movement, in urging a new tria
tor Mooney, takes the position tim
the charges of perjury in connection
with his conviction make a new tria
Imperative. This position is idcnti
cal with that of Superior Court Judg,
Griffin. who conducted MONEYS tria
and sentenced him 20 dtath. In a let
ter to State Attorney General Webb
on April 25 last year, Judge Griffin
IN urging new trial, said that IL tn,
perjury evidence was presented to hin
before the case left mis- hands. h,
would unhesitatingly have granted ;
new trial. On November Fl of thi,
year, Judge Griffin renewed his re-
quest in letter to Governor Ste
phens."
Delegates TO the Central Federatet
Union, at a meeting at 243 East Eighty
fourth Street, last night decided TO hole
mass meeting at Cooper Union mex
ihursday night To protest against tn,
denial Of a new trial TO Moone7. Franl
p. Walsh. joint chairman with w. II
Taft Of the War Labor Board, is ex
pected TO speak The union claims tt
represent 100000 workers In create,
New York
Edward j. Hannch, who presided. salt
there would be no red fags displavef
~ Il 4. <