102 THE CLASS STRUGGLE CURRENT AFFAIRS 103 The attitude of American courts of justice toward labor in the past has by no means justified undue optimism. If one can speak of class justice anywhere it is here in America, where its operations have been so shameless that even Samuel Gompers has been forced to take cognizance of its existence. And yet it seemed impossible that the Supreme Court of California should uphold the sentence, should recognize the judicial farce that was conducted against Tom Mooney as a fair and impartial trial.
Once more the incredible has happened, and nothing stands in the way of Mooney execution.
To the working class of America it was clear from the beginning, even before the disclosure of the Oxman perjuries, that Mooney was absolutely innocent of complicity in the bomb explosion. As innocent as his wife, whose recent trial resulted in her complete vindication. To day even the bourgeois public realizes that the organized capitalist pirates of the western coast jumped at the favorable opportunity to get the undesirable organizer and agitator. Everyone knows, provided he does not wilfully close his eyes to the mass of convincing testimony, that the convictions of Mooney and Billings were possible only on the basis of a carefully prepared plot of lies and perjury.
Already the trial of Oxman has begun; and in spite of the overwhelming burden of proof, and his own incriminating letters, he will undoubtedly be acquitted. The judge who is conducting his trial was chosen by Fickert, the criminal district attorney. Fickert, himself, has chosen Oxman counsel. Oxman must be acquitted, not only to justify the travesty against Billings and Mooney, but because his testimony is necessary as a foundation for the latest move in the fight against the radical labor movement, the implication of the fearless anarchist agitator, Alexander Berkman.
Extradition proceedings against Berkman have already been started in New York. With commendable promptitude the United Hebrew Trades have taken up the cudgels in his behalf and engaged Comrade Morris Hillquit to conduct the fight against the gang of murderous outlaws that threatened the very life of organized labor in the West, with the active and energetic assistance of the whole progressive labor movement of the East.
There can be only one outcome if the radical labor movement will but bring its influence unreservedly to bear in this case.
Only united and fearless mass action, an energetic and determined campaign of protest, can save Mooney and Berkman, and inflict upon the exploiters of the West a blow that they are not likely to forget in the near future.
The liberation of these faithful and courageous fighters for the cause of labor is a piece of political action that is not less important than the greatest and most significant electoral victory. Savior of his Country When the history of the war for world democracy is written, the deeds of the Hon. Henry Myers, Junior Senator from Montana, will, we sincerely hope, find worthy and adequate appreciation in its pages, that coming generations may derive from them understanding and enthusiasm for the pure aims of our statesmen, for the high ideals and unselfish, self sacrificing motives that actuate our national leaders. That they may learn, furthermore, how dangerous it is to judge from appearances.
Our friend from Montana so conspicuously embodies these beautiful characteristics that it is well worth while to dwell for a moment upon the activities of this pearl of American statesmanship. The more so, since the capitalist press, for reasons best known to itself, shows a conspicuous lack appreciation for the greatness of Mr. Myers.
So, for instance, not one of the larger newspapers reported the untrammeled, and therefore truly democratic, manner in which the Hon. has striven to suppress every unbridled word and thought, every expression of disrespectful, and therefore traitorous opinion. We will strive to repair this sinful negligence on the part of our respectable press by reprinting, verhatim, the Bill, 2789, presented by Senator Myers on August 15, 1917. BILL For the better safety and welfare of the United States and the Government thereof in time of war.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That when the United