The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-03-26
Webber Declares Their Punish
ment Will Not Affect Plans.
HADD0W is MUCH CAST DOWN.
The 0.her Men Have Lighter sentences, bul
All Are Held Equally Reponsible for
Contempt in Violating the 'njunc-
tlon Of the U. 5. .ourt-Uut>
siders Think |, Kills the
Strike movement.
Strike n0vement.
Especial Dispatch to The Times.)

Especial Dispatch to The Times.)
LYNCHBURG, VA, March 25.-Judge
Mcdowell to-day rendered his decision
ins the contempt case against William
1yebber, John Haddow and the other
agents of the United Mine Workers AS
ISOLATION. who were charged with inter
1cring with the miners on property under
The conduct of receivers of the United
States Court
He sent the two above named to jail
for six months each and the others fol
lesser terms.
THE MEN SURPRISED.
When seen by your correspondent. after
they had been taken to the city jail,
Messrs. Haddow and Weber stated that
they were greatly surprised at the Ver-
dict. and were amazed at its severity
We confidently expected an acauittal,'
said Mr.. Webber, and 1 would have
bet enc hundred dollars on il. -
Mr.. Weber talked willingly, and free
1y, in regard to the courts decision and
the effect that it would have. He seem
ed very cheerful and sanguine, but Mr.
1Iaddow was very much depressed and
showed much detection over the result
Of the trial.
Mr.. Webber declared that Judge Nc
1luWellS decision would not affect the
Z strike situation and would III no way
alter the plans of the United Mine Work
ers.
''The only result it will have" he said,
will be to deepen interest i'll the work
and make the members of the organiza-
ton moro determined than ever 10 carry
; out their plans.
WILL FOSTER THE UNION
II believe" said Mr.. Webber earnestly,
that from our standpoint the result
l,o
eject The organization Of lodges will
be pushed and am satisfied that the
efforts to establish the lodge and carry
Oh the work at the 1nman Mines Will
not be abandoned There arc a number
of men far more competent than we are,
who are laboring in behalf of the Or
;sanization, ard will at once take charge
OF the field which we have been COM
PEELED by our imprisonment to relinquish.
1, is rather difficult 70 say exactly
what will be The effect of Judge Nc
powclrs decision. The genera. impress
son is that in the moral aspects of the
question it will have decided and vide
ss.:ead influence. AS to the boycottns
te;,ture of strikes, it is believed that the
OPINION establishes the same principles
as those laid down in the case of Crunp
vs Commonwealth, Saith Virginia, in
wl ich it was pronounced unlawful for
a,lS one to intecfere with other people
business except by fair competition. or
to intimidate and threaten their ein-
plcyes.
WILL BREAK UP STRIKE PLANS.
The impression prevails here that Judge
NtcDowells decision i'll the case
will break up the programme of the
mirers in the United States to orTanlze
strike in the two Virginias this spring.
II is stated that the miners in Virginia
al.G West Virginia have never been gen
{ \ ~. 49,, Sy~1s
favor, ard that al effort was being made
to force them into the organization in
order that the union miners might be
able to gain an; absolute control over the
situation. However, the judges decision
will not apply to all aspects of The case.
The Inman mines were in the hands of
receivers appointed by the United States
and Haddow guilty of contempt for their
i, reference with tho operations Of the
ret eiyers. as well as for their Siolatlo.
OF the injunction.
Whether or not his rulings will have
application to those mines not in the
hands of receivers remains to be seen.
POINTS TO BE SETTLED
The opinion is expressed here that as
affecting coal operators generally. the
points in controversy are yet to be set
tied. Judge McDowells opinion express
ly stated that the courts sought not TO
interfere with the establishment Of such
organizations as union lodges, as long
as they were legally conducted without
resort to intimidation and threats, and
Just here the problem is presented as to
the defnition of persuasion.
Some are inclined to believe that per
slasion' will come under the head of
~tat Judge Mcdowell regards as illegal
OtEers are Of different opinion.
THE DECISION
me trial came to a close on Saturday,
and since yesterday Judge Mcdowell has
been in close consultation With Judge
Simontor. relative 10 the points in con-
trorersv. 1t was by Judge Simonton
that the injunction was granted restrain
ing Webber and Haddow from interfering
with the mine operatives The injunc-
f!on was asked for by receivers appoints
"a by the United States Court.
Judge McDowell's opinion sets forth
the fact fully in regard to the appoint-
,nent OF receivers and the course pursued
i,y the defendants In their efforts to IN
duce the mine employees to quit work.
The opinion states that Weber and
fJeddow are officers OF the United Mine
Workers OF America: that general strike
! cannot be carried out because the miners
OF West Virginia and Virginia continue at
Z work: that the right OF an enploye to join
the union cannot be denied, not the right
s, 10 induce by legal methods and fair moral
euasion the employees to join such organi-
cation. but that II the object OF the union
er the methods employed are illegal. per-
sons who combine In such Efforts are sconrr: s:
spirators. 8sIs
EACH is LIABLE
The opinion states that each OF the con-
Sederates IS liable sfo. the acts OF the
s <fhef-s and then in much detail takeBsup
j the evidence adduced at the trial to- show
I that the methods used by the or rganixenrs n
and the notices posted by them we're IN