The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-05-11
Machine SLAPPED !.
ORGANIZED LABOR
Wokngmen Are Very Much Wrought Up Over tho Unnco-
Euated Associations Act Passed BY The Recent General
Assembly, Which Goes Into Effect July |, and Threaten
TO Weld Their Little Hatchsts With Telling Effect

Organized labor has got It in for the
Republican machine.
The members OF the several labor unions
are very hot under the collar over the
passage by the recent general assembly
Of the "uincorporated associations" act.
II they do not cool OFF before the next
electlon-and there seems to be little pros
pect of IL, because this was only "the
last straw"--they intend 10 get out their
littlo hatchets and chop few political
ambitions into confetti at the polls
They realize that the bill was drawn In
the interests that dominate Republican
legislation. and that It's purpose and effect
are 10 destroy almost wholly tho power of
the labor unions TO protect themselves
or their members and 10 safeguard the
rights Of the wording masses.
As one OF them expressed II today,
that act simply knocked the bottom out
OF every legitimate labor organization,
and 1t was passed for that purpose in the
interest OF the corporations
1T enables them 10 cripple us at any
time by tieing up all our funds; holds up
every member OF labor organization as
a helpless easy mark for captalis,ic op-
preston, and makes organized labor in
general the legitimate prey OF those who.
TO perpetuate their own selfish and grasp
ing ends. seek TO destroy its power. its
influence and its very existence.
This Ubiquitous act. oloaked with YER
biage that TO many on frst reading may
seem innocent enough. was designed 10
enable the big railroad and other corpora
tlons that own the Republican party N
Rhode Island, body and soul, as we'll as
all other enemies OF labor. TO strike below
tho belt through the courts and the ordi-
-unry procezses Of law, and thus 10 accom-
plish. with the apparent sanction or law
and Justice that which they dare not at
tempt otherwise and which otherwise they
would be powerless TO accomplish.
Never mind. There's a day OF reckon
ing coming The Republican machine has
a United States senatorship on its hands
to sell 10 the highest bidder. Maybe the
voice OF organized labor Will be heard
before the goods are delivered 10 the lucky
millionaire; and maybe General Brayton
and his machine may hear something drop
about the time that they begin the annual
roundup OF labor votes
They've pulled tho wool over our ,y2s
a good many times, but this time IL won't
GO"
After throwing 10 the labor men
sop IN the mechanics lien bill. the
Republican party at the recent session
OF the assembly proceeded 10 slap the
workers In the face by passing on the
pipr ed
bill" with few minor amendments.
The latter, in so far as they benefit
the labor people or make imperative
against them the provisions CT the act,
are considered as Hamlet said, Words.
words. words, nothing but words"
After the hearing on the bill. which
was held In public and at which the
labor people appeared In great numbers
arguing against the passage OF the act
q pretense was made TO amend II. and
whatever was done may be seen In sec
tion 3, which Is held to be a mere noth-
ing.
The bill as amended and as II will 90
into effect on July is as follows:
Section l. Any action or other proceed
Ing at law may be maintained by any
officer or member OF On unincorporated
association as trustee In ite behalf, TX so
authorized by said association, TO recover
any property, or upon any cause OF action,
for or upon which all the associates may
maintain such action or proceeding by
reason Of their interest or ownership
therein. either jointly or In common. Any
action or other proceeding at law may Ike
wise be maintained by such officer or
member TO recover from one or more
members OF such association his or their
proportionate share OF any moneys law
fully expended by such association for the
benefit OF such associates, or to enforce
| any lawful claim OF such association
| against such member or members. Any
action or other proceeding ut law may be
| maintained TO recover any property, or
upon any cause OF action for or upon
| which the plaintiff may maintain such an
| action or proceeding at law against all
the associates. by reason OF their interes,
| or ownership, or claim OF ownership there
In. against the president and secretary OF
such association. or the officers or mem.
bers exercising substantially the duties
| respectively, OF president and secretary
| or if there be no such officers. or officers
either OF them, then against any other
two officers Of such association. or Il
| ha htft ofSi fhay utpa ~