The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1931-03-31

such as: Local Federated Labor Unions, Central
Labor Unions, State Federatisns of Labor, to
subscribe funds for the defense of Mooney and
Billings
Scharrenberg and the A. F. of L. leaders cum
ningly, but effectively, accomplished their task.
The rank and file was gagged, Governor Young
was saved from embarrassment, and Big Bust
ness was obviously informed that it need not
worry-Mooney and Billings would not be helped
by the A. F. of L. to secure their pardon
Ed. Nockels the loyal friend of Mooney wrote
him February 25, 1923, in part as follows:
g. OF course, Olander, 1 believe, was
greatly influenced Gin drafting the resolu-
tions) by Scharrenberg, although he denies
this
81 understand your position in reference to
parole. I think you are right about it and SO
I argue with anyone who thinks differently
e.. We all know that the recommendations
of the committee CA. F. of L. Convention, Reso-
lutions Committee, 1920 that no one must in
tercede in the Mooney case was done at the
instigation of Scharrenberg and Olander. I
have denounced Olander in no unmstakable
terms about the report of the committee.
"Of course, Tom, know of no official in the
labor movement in California or on the Coast
for that matter, who is sincere in your behalf,
and that after ALL is the biggest drawback and
this made me realize, and in fact was told
so by Scharrenberg directly, that the labor
movement could we'll take care of itself with
out interference from the outside.
ST must close this letter because of my in
dignation in reference to your case. Command
me at any time and am at your service"
Fremont Older wrote Tom Mooney after the
Los Angeles Convention, and said:
Il was terribly disappointed at what hap
A g Tf0,1y 411-, 7
Angeles. OF course, you know who is respon-
sble for it without me mentioning any names.
Isn't it strange situation Captain Matheson
trying to ge5 you out, and the A. F. of L. try
ing to block it? l would not have believed
that the case would ever have got into such a
situation as it is. However, don't be respondent,
you may always rely upon my help until the
end"
Fremont Older refers directly, although not
by name, to Paul Scharrenberg. Older calls it a
strange situation 1t is more than strange
The situation is extraordinary. Captain Matheson
is police officer, hard boiled unreenting to-
ward all law breakers, hired under oath to per-
form certain duty. That duty is to arrest the
guilty and protect the innocent. Captain Math-
eson is now certain Mooney is innocent, so he
wants him pardoned. Fremont Older calls at
tention to this extraordinary fact bona fide
Mooney and an impromptu policeman" Paul
Scharrenberg, working overtime to keep him in
prison. Such irregularities are uncommon, but
so are the California labor leaders-both un-
common and irregular"
H. L. Mencken, editor of the american Mer-
curry" in letter to Tom Mooney, dated october
Is, 1928, wrote in part as follows:
Thanks very much for the note and for
the enclosure. The attitude of Governor Young
is simply beyond my comprehension. How any
man can have any doubt about your innocence
after reading the various letters of the trial
judge is more than I can understand
The attitude of the California Labor Leaders
doesn't surprise. 1 distrust the whole outfit.
They are scabs at heart"
"They are scabs at heart!" This conviction
forces itself upon everyone who has any knowl-
edge of these labor leaders, They are more
than scabs at heart; they are scabs in action
To ascertain just what the ubiquitous 1927
resolution meant, Tom Mooney put it to a prac-
tical test shortly after the convention. He asked
j. HI. La Force Secretary of Local Union No. As
International Union of Operating Engineers, ar
affiliated body, to write President Green fol
information regarding action on the Mooney.
Billings case, in conformity with the provisions
of the resolution. Mr. La Force complied with
Tom MONEYS request, and wrote President
Green April 8, 1929 From Washington, D. c.
President Green answered as follows on April 9
1929:
your letter Of April Bird is received You
refer to the Mooney case and ask my advice