Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-03-22
Good Results of the Bird Agitation.

Good Results of the Bird Agitation.
The Milford Chronicle claims that
the story about the alleged contract
entered into with two Milford men for
20, COO birds for New York millinera was
fake, originated and exploited by
"space writing" correspondents Of city
papers However this may be. the agi-
tation OF the subject has been attended
by much good. and will doubtless lead
to the adoption of measures to protect
the birds of Delaware, which have been
killed off too rapidly for the public
interest of late years.
But it is not at all certain that the
story is fake, despite the Chronicles
assertion. The local columns of that
raper made the first announcement that
contract had been entered into with
two Milford men for crows and black
birds for the milliners of New York,
and to deny this statement now is for
the Chronicle to deny the accuracy of
its own news columns. Doubtless the
story grew in proportions as it spread,
but that the contract for consider
able number of birds, for ornamental
purposes, was deliberately entered
upon, cannot be doubted.
SINCE the agitation growing out Of
the announcement. there is grave doubt
that the Milford men will be permitted
to carry out their contract of bird
slaughter, even if it be for crows and
blackbirds only, and these to a limited
extent. No event that ever occurred in
this State SO served to arouse public
sentiment in the dir ection of protecting
the birds. Every interest has been ex-
cited to the point of stern resistance.
The farmers, recognizing the practical
value of the birds to their business,
will drive tho sordid gunners from their
premises, aud every moral agency in
the community is in line against the
contemplated slaughter
| Fake or no fake-and there is ne
doubt that there was large element o.
truth in the story-the people of Della
ware are resolved that the birds in thi:
|
tered at the behest of fashion.
A very important POINT has Just beer
decided in England with regard to thu
right of trades unions to put picket'
around the works of employers in tn,
case of strike. Before the suit o
Lyons vs.. Wilkins" 1t was general!
understood that what was called peace
full picketing was legal. That is to say
that when a dispute was in progress
between employers and workmen it wa
permissible for the latter TO beset il
groups the entrances to the works o
the employers and to endenvor to in
duce by argument and persuasion an
newcomers to refrain from entering
This course was pursued in the case G
Lyons VS.. wilkins" The plaintiff
applied for an interlocutory injunction
which was granted by Mr.. Justice Mort
and confirmed by the Court of Appeal
They then applied for a perpetual in
junction, which was granted by MI
Justice Byrne and confirmed by th
Court Of Appeal. The defendants the
took the preliminary steps fof an appet
to the House of Lords; that appeal la
now been withdrawn. The Englis
. law, therefore, now is that strikers ma
, not watch or beset the establishment {
! an employer with the object of d.!
, suading other workingmen from entel
Z ing his works, but may do so only Il
3 the purpose of communicating or oil
f tanning information, The ruling Of tt
: Court Of Appeal was very great di
( appointment to the leaders of IL
unions, and their final decision not
appeal against it is regarded as q
. acknowledgment of the hopelessness
their case and as a most sIgnifical
victory for the employers.