The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-12-21
WAR PRISONER
FIGHT REVIVED
Labor Leaders Indorse Measure
To Free Persons Held Under
, Espionage Act.

Passage of the France resolution
proposing amnesty for political
prisoners" convicted Of violations Of
the espionage act during the war
was urged today by Samuel Com
pers, president of the American
Federation of Labor, before a sub
comm. ttee of the Senate Judiciary
Committee.
OTHERS BACK MEASURE.
Others who appeared in support
of the bill were John Sullivan OF
New York City. president OF the
Central Trades and Labor Council or
that city, and treasurer OF tho CEN
trail labor bodies conference for am
nesty TO political prisoners; and Mrs.
Lucy Robins, executive secretary or
the latter organization.
Senator France. Republican, Mary
alnd, author OF the bill, also spoke
in support of IL.
The bill would have Congress rec
smmend:
ITO tho President OF the United
states, the Attorney General of the
United States, and the Secretary of
War a careful consideration of the
propriety. advisability, and wisdom
of granting immediate pardon and
amnesty to all prisoners whose re-
ligious, political. OF economic beliefs
only as expressed in words spoken
or written, formed the basis of their
prosecution. trial, or Imprisonment
under the said espionage act and
the act amendatory thereof"
REQUESTED BY A. r. Of L.
Senator France said ne thought
political prisoners" cow IN Ameri-
can prisons ought to be Immediately
released. He explained the hearing
was being held at the request OF the
American Federation of Labor.
Gompers, who followed France.
pointed out the purposes of the France
resolution, were endorced by the
American Federation of Labor at it's
national convention last June.
"The American Federation Of Labor
from its inception has been a staunch
advocate of the institutions upon
which our republic was founded"
Gompers said.
1.-The espionage law was from its
inception one that grated on the
man who Is a real American, be-
lieving in American principles"
Gompers said Its very name,
Espionage is offensive to the real
American believing in the freedom
and liberty bequeathed by American
Institutions
would men who during the war
urged revolution and armed violence
against the United States Govern
ment to prevent 1t from going to
war with Germany be embraced by
the purposes of this resolution -
Senator King, Democrat Utah, asked.
A. OF L. THEIR TARGET
"Emphatically no. Gompers an
swered. "The Senator need not be
told the very men he refers to sought
and are still seeking to destroy the
American Federation OF Labor"
Gompers declared the espionage
act is absolutely un-American," and
even II 1t were essential during the
war the necessity for 1t has passed."
Under this resolution would draft
dodgers or 'slackers' be immune p"
Senator King asked
II am not sure" Gompers replied. But
don't think they would be. / must
confess ] haven't given the matter the
consideration it deserves. The men
guilty of moral turpitude" the courts
can deal with. For them we have
nothing to say. But what we want
IL to get out-absolutely out Of the
war"
Gompers said the resolution only
applied to violators of the espionage
act and not to those who had violated
or evaded the draft act.