Denver labor bulletin., 1918-06-22

The Coiorado state supreme court
has dismissed the appeal Of James F.
Moran OF Iowa, former acting presi-
dent of District 10, United Mine
Workers of America. Moran, thru his
attorneys, Barnett and Campbell, ap-
pealed from two orders issued by
Judge Robert G. Strong Of the Eighth
judicial district in Boulder, command
ing Moran TO produce for investigation
two forged notes and letters which
are the basis Of a damage suit for
$4,000 entered by Clint C. Houston,
editor Of The Denver Labor Bulletin,
in the district court Of Boulder county
last August.
Two Important Rulings.
Attorneys Rim and Archibald of
Boulder, representing Houston, the
plaintiff in this case, had previously
won two important rulings in Judge
Strongs court, and have now won
unanimous ruling Of dismissal OF Mo-
rams plea Of error in the state su-
preme court
AS the matter now stands Moran
must produce the forged checks and
letters in the Boulder court for in
spection and copying by Houston. the
plaintiff, and his attorneys, or go to
Jail in contempt Of court.
Confession of Guilt.
Moran's pleading by a thirty-page
brief before the supreme court was
virtually a confession of guilt, and he
now stands before the public self
confessed criminal. He begged the su-
preme court TO protect him from in
eliminating himself and Imprisonment
thru displaying these forged checks
and letters. Now the highest court in
the state has concurred in the ruling
twice made by Judge Strong.
In Bad Predicament.
Verify, James F. Moran Of Iowa,
erstwhile acting president Of District
10. United Mine Workers Of America,
is in a mighty bad predicament.
He must bring his forged checks
into court, and by doing SO place him
self liable TO criminal prosecution by
the state officers.
Should he "lose" the forged checks,
after his attorney has stated they are
in his possession, Moran confesses
Judgment in the sum Of $4,000 and
goes forth branded as forger, liar
and character assassin.
Moran's attorney fees and court
costs in fighting this case are being
paid by the United Mine Workers Of
America, notwithstanding he has been
deposed from Office.
Program Failed to Work.
1t will be recalled that this is the
same James +. Moran OF Iowa who
was going to be dictator OF the Cello
rndo labor movement, and undertook
the self-assigned task Of driving John
r. Lawson, Ed L. Doyle and The Bull
letin editor from the state.
Moran himself left the state several
months ago, but is likely to be brought
back to fill nm engagement in the state
pcnitentiary at Canon City.
In the meantime John r. Lawson
and Ed L. Doyle remain as before,
highly respected citizens Of Colorado,
active in the organized labor move
ment, and The Denver Labor Bulletin
and its editor continue to do business
as usual, championing the cause OF
honest, clean trade unionism in Colo
rado and the Rocky Mountain region.
History Of the Case.
The action against Moran Of Iowa
grew out Of his attempt to deprive
Editor Houston Of a seat in the Colo
rado State Federation Of Labor con-
vcntion held in Boulder last August.
Typographical Union No. 40. Moran
fled n protest with the credentials
committee because The Bulletin and
its editor had exposed the scheme Of
Moran, Pippin and McLcnnan to drive
John r. Lawson and Ed L. Doyle from
the Colorado labor movement.
In the hope Of influencing the con-
vention to endorse his move to unseat
Houston Ms delegate. Moran, Mt the
ciose of n long hnrangue on the floor
OF the convention, read two letters and
exhibited two checks which he asserted
proved that Houston was being paid
and the paper influenced by the Colo
rndo Fuel and Iron Company. The let
ters purported to be written by some