The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-11-15

gOOu, rOunu sum Idu #DccIl LII
ures Of their organizations.
or course, no one pretends or believes
that all strikes can be won. but that
greater victories will be won and fewer
defeats will occur when our unions nave
accumulated funds, not even our most
5rabd antagonists will dispute.
incorporation Of Unions.
Concerning the question OF incorpora;-.
ton the report said:
We still frequently hear the PROPOSE
ton urged for the Incorporation OIL trace
unions, the evident purpose OF many az q
vocates being honorable and synpaathetic'
notwithstanding how unwise and in5url-
ous the results would unruestionnbly be
TO labor. Others. again. who advocate
and Insist upon the !ncorpora ton OF Sthe
trade unions know full we'll the purpose
lthey have In view and the schemes they
could then hatch to hnrass organized Ia
Dor sull more with suits at Law, regard
less OF the f,imsiness of the cause or the
pretext for civil suits.
They would not onlf divert our atten-
ton from, the effort at economic I'M
provement to a defense against every
sspecIcs OF civil suits brought by our OPP
moments against any officer OF organized
labor. hut they would make every effort
under the forms OF law" to mulct our
unions In damages for supposed INJURIOUS
res lllts from trade union action. W.
would be forced to defend suits without
regard to the merit or lack Of merit IN
the complaint in order TO prevent our
organization from being mulcted IN dam
ages; and this. after all, Is the ultimate
desire and purpose Of DIR opponents ior
trade union, Incorporation, Tor necessity
would require the expenditure Of large
4 e.,
other costs and expenditures incident TO
litigation. sa I,
The most Important point apparently
urged by our opponents in advocacy OF
trade union Incorporation Is. rs they
claim. that employers have tangible prop
Gritty and in any violation Of terms OF
agreement or breach Of contract they are
responsible, and In cases of breach OF con-
tract on their part, they can be held IN
damages and payment enforced: "mle
labor organizations not having tangible
nroperty. they say are ,untncorpornted
bodies. and violation Of contract by them
would not afford the same facilities FOR
bringing them within the Jurisdiction or
the courts in a suit for damages Tor
breaches of contract, and that therefore
the unions should be- incorporated TO
bring about equality Of .responsiollity.
The chief merit in this claim Is that It
has no foundation in fact or in pra ctice.
G or course, employers entering into con
tractural relations with business men
and Committing Il breach thereof are
liable to damages. This also apples
where employers enter into contractural
relations witch workmen for labor for q
specific period; but In spite Of the In
Vulnerable violations of contract entered
into by employers and organized work
men. we challenge the advocates Of COM
pulsory Incorporation to point out a sin
gle instance, in which employers nave
been or how they could have been.
nulcted in damages for violation OF the
terms Of an agreement with labor in It's
collective capacity. This is referred to-,
not as justification OF or an encourage
mcnt to an organized labor breach OF
contract Onlthe contrary. 1t is the con-
slant aim of our movement to instill
gupon the minds Of all our fellow workers
TO bring about working agreements with
employers.gand to a faithful adherence TO
tho spirit and letter Of their terms, but
this is cited to prove the fallacy OF the
latest pretense urged by our opponents TOT
trade union incorporation.
In previous reports and elsewhere nave
been clearly met the various specious ar
g,,ments set forth from time to time OF
those who, under tho euphonious guse
of trade union Interpretations, hide their
real purpose. In our time and in coonnec-.
ton with our movement a repetition OF
tho confiscation of the funds Of the old
time worknen's guilds. We Wal not sub
nit to this new snare for labor's d ' y
ment.
Other Reports. Z
Secretary Frank Morrison then read
his annual report, The reading Of this
report was followed by that OF Treasurer
John B. Lennon. Vi
session was crowded, many of the specta-
tors being women
Tonight a mass meeting was hold at
tho Alhnmbra Theatre and It was adj
dressed by w, .. Mahon, Of lDetrolt,
president Of the Anal gamated Association
Of street Railway Employees, and others,
who discussed corporation and trade
unionisnl {.