Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1919-01-24
BIG LABOR CONGRESS
CONVENES IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOR
MONEYS BENEFIT
Every Effort Secure New Trial Will be Exhausted Before
Labor's Final Economic Weapon is
Resorted to

Chicago, Ill.-Fifteen hundred dele
gates crowded North Side Turner
Hall, when the big Mooney Labor
Congress was called to order last
week by John Fitzpatrick, president
of the Chicago Federation of Labor,
who welcomed the delegates to Chi
cago in the name of the Federation
who, he said had gathered together
for the purpose of considering and
acting on a matter that is probably
the most momentous in the history of
the American labor movement.
He then introduced Edward D. No
Ian as the temporary chairman, who
said that in attempting to follow out
the determined policy of the Inter-
national Workers Defense League to
do something that is useful and con-
structive toward the securing of
new trial for Mooney. The league
had formulated tentative program
which would be considered by the
delegates.
Three methods of procedure were
suggested as follows:
First-Federal Intervention.
Federal intervention to preserve
the integrity of America as a demo-
cracy and component part of the pro-
posed League Of Free Nations.
To this end we suggest the selection
Of a committee by the Labor Congress
to submit plans for the most effective
way of presenting legal, moral and
industrial aspects of the Mooney case
to the United States Congress, and
the President. to the end that the De-
partment of Justice be instructed to
invoke the writ of habeas corpus in
a Federal Court, preferably outside
of California, so that no citizen be
deprived of his right to life, liberty
or property, except by due process Of
law, as specified in the fourteenth
amendment to the United States Con-
stitution.
Labor contends that perversion of
justice due to perjury and fraud de-
liberately used by officers of the law
is not the due process of law, as con-
templated by the Constitution of the
United States.
Second-Publicity
The courts having declared they
are without remedy in law, it may be-
come necessary to furnish the courts
with a distinct and specific law, Gre
ated to cover such cases; for if the
courts decision stands, perjury for
reward will become regular trade
and no citizen will be safe who arouses
the Ire of unscrupulous interests.
Through the activities of organized
labor there are now pending in ten
states measures and bills to correct
the abuses in our judicial system, and
surely, the setting aside of verdicts
obtained by perjury and fraud ought
to be embodied in pending judicial re-
forms. In this connection it is sug-
gested that labor should support all
measures having as their aim the re-
call of judicial decisions when they
are obviously against public policy
and justice.
This work will, as a matter of
course, require that all classes of citi-
zens be enlightened on the facts at
issue, and, therefore, necessitates in
creased and continued publicity.
Third-The General Strike.
If Federal Relief is not granted and
legislation is not speedily forthcom-
ing, labor will, as a last resort, be
compelled to use it's economic power,
either through the boycott or the
strike weapon.
The Labor Congress ought to con-
slider the settling of definite date
after which strike should be inau-
gurated to preserve the principle that
there is no wrong without remedy.
To do this it is proposed to proceed
along the lines which experience has
taught the Trade Union movement to
be most effective: that is, submitting
the matter to the rank and file of la
Dor and their local unions, who will
in turn make a demand upon their
internationals and the American
Federation of Labor for concerted ac-
ton.
He then pointed out that the dele
gates were there representing inter