The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-05
UNION FOUND GUILTY
AS CORPORATE BODY
First Conviction of Kind
in History.
FINE FOR PRESS FEEDERS
Chicago Judge Decides Their Associs.
ton Was Responsible for
Strike Disorders.

CHICAGO, Dec. 5.-For the first time
in the history of trades unionism a
union was yesterday found guilty OF
Illegal acts as a corporate body.
Judge Jesse Holden of tue circuit
court handed down his decision in the
case of Franklin Union, No. 1. press
feeders, charged as a corporation with
having violated the courts Injunction
restraining it as an organization from
interfering with the business of EN-,
ployes of ten printing firms, members
Of the Chicago Typothetae.
Responsible for Pickets.
The court found that the union was
responsible for the acts of its strike
pickets; that it countenaneed and main
tanned the picket line which has been
the cause Of numerous assaults in Chi,
cago's printing town.; that the union
had knowledge of assaults and intimi-
dation perpetrated in violation Of the
Injunction, and that the union stiii
maintained, in defiance of the restrain
ing order, its siege of the printing
houses. The amount of the fine will be
announced by Judge Holden later.
The text of the decision follows:
The only question is whether Frank,
lin Union, No. 4, had knowledge of the
violation Of the injunction restraining
it from picketing and patrolling the
plants Of the various companies. or in
any manner interfering with their busl,
ness. A corporation is liable to be pun
ished by fine. In this case it resolved
itself into a question Of legal proof.
appointment of Committee.
"All the steps leading up to the strike
were taken by the union in accordance
with its bylaws. The action taken by
the union at the meeting on September
p received only two dissenting votes.
At that meeting a strike committee was
provided for. The appointment Of that
committee was a matter OF precaution.
II was TO have some function in the
event OF strike.
There were sergeants-at-arms a7-
pointed by the union. One or two OF
these sergeants-at-arms were proved 10
have violated the injunction and to have
taken active part In the assault, acts OF
! intimidation and in the controlling Of
pickets- As such sergeants they were
acting as officers Of the union.
The union prepared for a condition al
its meeting on September q. which af-
terward occurred. that shows foresight.
The union established headquarters on
the south and west side OF the city.
One Of these headquarters was close to
the seat o. the industrial strife. made
possible by the action of the union. The
headquarters appears to have been the
place where said beIligerent pickets and
others resOrted and where strike benefits
were paid.
All Members a Party.
'If the union is a party to an unlaw-
full combination then all in the union are
equally a party II at any time IL be-
comes party. alder or abettor to the
picket line at which assaults are made
then all are party OF, the unlawful com
bination. II they are a party they are
guilty of violation of the Injunction.
Now It IS true that this union must
be chargeable with knowledge of viola
| tions from the answer Of its officers
/ The answer shows that they had knowl-
| edge OF things that had been done OF
we're about 10 be done, and therefore
/ the union must be answerable. They
paid the pickets- They were maintain
/ ing pickets On the picket line. While
| there is no evidence that they actually
| instructed the pickets. It has been shown
that the picket line was countenancec
1 BY the union and IS maintained by the
union. The union is therefore respOn-
/ sible for the acts Of the pickets."
The statutes provide in such cases that
/ the fine may be anywhere from 81 tc
| IS 900. The president and secretary OF
the defendant labor organization were
not held personally responsible. There
are 100 members, who are held ac-
| countable for the misdeeds of the so
/ ciety 70 which they belong. The unioI
/ Is said 10 have "A fund of S40O00