The sun., 1919-06-14
SEC'Y WILSON
HITS PLAN FOR
MOONEY STRIKE
Warns A. F. Of L. July 4
Walkout Is BLOW at
Jury System. (.
DELEGATES ACQUIESCE
Tells Convention Admins
tration Is Still Working
for New Trial.
OPPOSES LABOR PARTY
Says Unions Would Lose the
Influence They Now
Possess.
OPPOSES LABOR PARTY
Special DsspateA to rns su,.


ATLANTIC Crr. June 13.-Counsel-
Ing against the nationwide strike pro-
posed for July as labor's demand
for new trial for Tom Mooney, the
San Francisco labor leader under sem
fenced for bomb outbreaks, or the for
nation of strictly labor party In
The United States, William B. Wilson,
Secretary OF Labor, completed his ad-
dress here to-day before the conven-
ton OF the American Federation Of
Labor with vigorous arraignment
o. the Bolshevists.
Each Of his three points won the
approval Of the convention.
With reference to Mooney, he said:
I would. As q union man in good
standing and q member Of this body,
strongly advise against the July ( DEM
onstration. I give you my opinion
freely, honestly and earnestly. I
have been much interested In the
Mooney case. was requested by the
President to look into the situation
and report back.
The committee concluded, after a
thorough survey Of the case, that so far
as the Jury was concerned II could
have come to no other conclusion in
view Of the evidence placed before It.
So far as the Judges were concerned
thsre was absolute fairness Of decision.
but there were other conditions existing
in addition that showed certain individ-
uals proruinsnt ~ witnesses had not
been honest IN their testimony and now
evidence has, been occurred that war
rants new trial. Every evidence that
the Administration could put forth for
a new trial was done following our re-
port. But we're not through with 1t
yet. We're still working on It. But
that is not the phase 1 wanted to ad-
Use you about.
Strike PropaSanda AssaiIea.
There has been carried on about the
country a propaganda calling for a
nationwide strike as a means Of induc-
ing q new trial Ny friends. do you
realise just what that action means 70
the mass Of people Of the nation? Do
you realise the struggle that has taken
place to secure a fair trial for every
= man? Tho jury system was brought
into operation to protect the poor IN
oivdual like you and me from the fell
low who happens to be In power. Oc-
cas!onally this system may miscarry.
but In the bulk OF cases 1t does not.
To attempt to force a new trial for
Mooney Aa~ aF nil
be striking at the very institution that
guarantees every citizen his just rights
To put such a thing into effect would
make every workingman q Juror. Every
"Crkingman has not or will not have
the opportunity to meet tho prisoner
see or examine the witnesses or the
evidence and therefore cannot render a
fair Judgment Tho jury that should
try Mooney is that Of his own 1uris.
dlction, where all can meet face to face"
IN declaring against the formation oi
a labor party Mr.. Wilson pointed oui
that the situation In the United State,
Was different from Great Britain, "s
snug little island, where the majority
pursuits"
Il cannot see the advantages Of thu
'ttachment of labor to any politica
party or In the creation of a new party, :
lie said. Il do not believe that ever IN
tails country would we be able to solidif,
al OF labor into a single political mass
and even should we do so the Other
classes would be equal in strength II
our country and neither side would ac
eomplish anything. We are In a posi-
Ton where, II we will throw our In
nuence TO the individuals or party tenn
porarily willing to so along with us, Jus
as We have heretofore. We will accom-
rlish what we are after"
No Fear OF BoIsAevism.
Mr.. Wilson declared American lsbol
would never take seriously to Bolshe
''sm and that it would never reacl
more serious proportions than local dis
i4Tbances.
~ the close of Mr.. Wilson's address
resident Samuel Gompers made
strong plea for better recognition O
labor in the Government departments
liz said:
Somehow or other in the minds o
our representatives in Congress ther
mas been gathered theory that labo
should not have q separate departrnen
that It Is not OF sufficient value 70
such recognition. Outside Of the mobili
iat!on OF our young men to be drtlle
and trained for their duties overseas
outside OF the work of furnishing ma
"rials. no department gave moro Of
ieient service to the prosecution an,
7.na!Dg OF the war than did tho Depart
lent OF Labor.
The Department OF Labor win be en-
'ering into every phase of our everyda
re from now on. Labor will declar
'' r,sentment at any attempt to de
s'r0y or weaken the Department q
Labor This attitude OF Congress tina
Nol,d stsrve the DEPARTING mt of Labo
olt o, existence must be corrected"
Ia