The Washington times., 1919-09-11
Hearing On Police Union
Postponed to November 7
At Presidents Request
Justice Gould Declares Case
Affects Every EmpIoye of
the Federal Gov
ernment.

Declaring that the case of the af-
nliation Of Washington policemen
with the American Federation of
Labor was an issue Of national i'm
portance and that any decision made
oy the courts in this matter would
De applicable to every Federal Gov
ernmept employe in the country, Jus
tice Ashley Gould, sitting in the
Equity Court Of the District Supreme
Court today, ain respect to the Presi-
dents wishes continued the hearing
on the police case until after the
industrial conference here in October
The United States Supreme Court,
1t was learned today, win take up the
case If the case goes to this court
II viii be at least two years before
decision is rendered, unless an ad-
vance hearing is granted.
Reads Telegram to Court.
Conrad H. Syme, District Corpora
ton Counsel, appeared before Justice
Gould today and read a telegram re-
ceived by Commissioner Louis Brown
low from the President. The tele-
gram asked that all action be post
pened until the latter part of Oc-
tober. Counsel Symne then asked
the court to postpone the hearing on
the writ Of Injunction sought by the
City Policemen's Union to prevent
the District Commissioners from dis
missing members Of the police force
because Of organized labor affiIia-
tions. Mr.. Syme asked that the re-
straining order, now in effect pre-
venting action by the Commission
ers, be continued
Justice Gould, in postponinE the
case, said:
"A distinguished Senator has crfti.
etsed me for the action I have already
taken in the police matter. Every
one knows that I pay no attention to
criticisms. He indicates that I am
partial to the cause Of labor. Ny past
decisions, think, will vindicate me
Of such charge.
Affects All Q. s. Employees.
''The executive authority has re-
quested action be postponed. 1t
would be unwise for me to do other |
wise. We all have our opinions on /
the police question. This case is /
more important than is generally be-
iieved. It IL q question that anects
not only police but every employe Of 1
The Federal Government. I prefer to
oefer any action by the court until |
after the industrial conference. 1t
is the wish OF the President and ! /
order the case continued until No
vember z"
Justice Gould intimated that when
the case comes before the court the
police would not be considered as
police, but as employees Of the Fed
ere1 Government. He was anxious to |
make clear the importance of the
case and repeated several times. at
is question Of great Importance"
When asking for the continuance Of
the case Counsel syme said to the
court:
Doesn't Knew Reason.
The Commissioners have asked me
TO call to the attention Of the court
the Presidents telegram. OF course,
don't know the reason for the re-
quest It bears q striking similarity
70 the PRESIDENTS request to the steel
men The President seems to con-
Sloer u wise to consider the matter
after the industrial conference"
IL is merely a question OF law.
Ii is to determine the legal capacitv
OF the District Commissioners. /
thought at one time it would be best
% ask the court to dismiss the case.
since considering the matter and in
yle" or the widespread interest in the
sase have changed my mind"
Wilton J. Lambert, who with RU-
iolph H Yeatman, is counsel for the
police replied after Counsel Syme
made his statement:
Surprise TO Police.
This comes as a surprise to US. In
intil last night we had been preparing
'ur case and now it is ready to pre-
sent TO the court. I would like 10 !
lave the court put the case on the
.aiendar and have a date set for a
ober."
Justice Gould asked:
DO you coincide with the Presi-
Ient's Views?"
Lambert replied:
Il coincide with the view OF the
PRESIDENT in as much as il aims to
revent labor unrest I believe we Z
re entitled to have the case heard
n its merits, and think we are en- '
tiled to know what the answer of
IT. Syme will be. assume there
yill be many facts presented"
The court would not rule that Mr !
yme file his answer, but the Corpo- :
alton Counsel said it would be filed 2
after the industrial con-
erence.
Message Sent To TumuIty.
Commissioner Louis BroWnlow, i'm L
lediately after the court decision,
lade public copies Of a telegram
ent to Joseph TUmulty, secretary to
he President. The telegram follows:
Hon Joseph Tumulty,
care Presidents Special,
Helena, Mont.
"The suggestion OF the President as
0nYeyed to US by your telegram Of
ssterday has been followed and the
Use in court has been continued
ntil November z. 2
''The Board Of District Commission-I .
e OF the District Of Columbia.
LOUIS BROWNLOW, a.
president" ol
Justices Siddons and Bailey will be h
ting in Equity Court November Z "
hen the hearing takes place
JRGLAns TAKES WEDDING RING. e,
The home of Mrs. G. r. Mcknight, II