The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-31
PRINTERS ENJOINED.
MUSTN'T INTERFERE WITH TYPO
THETE EMPLOYEES. -
Judge stafford OF Washington Says the
Right 20 Work Is More Important THAI
Fair Wages and a Free Day More I'M
pOFtant Than an Eight Hour Day.

WASHINGTON, March @--A preliminary
injunct ion restraining Columbia Typo
& graphical Union, its members and its strike
Committee from interfering with the am
ployees Of the Typothete by inducing them
to break their contract or coercing them to
leape or inducing intending employees
from hiring to members Of the Typothetp
was granted to-day by Justice Stafford in
EQUITY Court No. ?, 1t also forbids the
strikers from applying o%pprobrious epithets
70 the non-union employees, from following
them about the streets, importuning them
or intercepting them on the way to or from
work.
The suit was brought by members Of the
Typothet@ to prevent the strikers from
interfering with the conduct of their bust
meas and to prevent picketing and boy
ootting. The last prayer was not granted,
the Court holding that the present boycott
rnetheds were not illegal,
After discussing at some len 9Th the con-
ditlons in the struggle between the union
and the Typothete for an eight hour day
Juatice Stafford in his opinion says:
There Ia something more important than fair
wages, and that Is the right to work for any
wages the workman is willing to accept.
There is something more important than an
eight hour day, and that Is a free day. Any
enhancement Of wages. any lessening OF the
hoars Of labor, any improvement In the con-
ditionS OF employment would be too dearly
bought by the surrender Of the smallest
Traction OF Individual liberty under the law.
lWorlmen tn themselves are the last men in the
world who should willin ely suffer the loss
Of such a right. That Is about all they have
gained, or that has been gained for them.
In the long struggle for rights which has
beer yolng on since the beginning OF organized
society. Individual men,, even great classes
Of men, may lose sight Of its importance for a
time In their desire to secure some coveted
advantage. but the law does not lose sight OF
iE, and 80 long as the ancient landmarks OF
our jurisprudence are observed these rights
viii be safe.
Tho opinion refers to the difficulty in
REACHING a conclusion. as to the actual oon-
ditions existing, but finds that there had
been what amounted to coercion Of the
employees on the part Of the strikers. and
CONTINUES:
No better definition Of freedom has ever
been given than this: That one mans liberty
ends where another mans liberty begins.
Union men would think themselves uniustly
treated IL they should be importuned and
besought, pioketed. followed about the streets
and made objects Of rldicule and contempt
because they refused to leave the union
or because they refused to continue in the
service OF. an employer they did not care to
serve. They should be willing, and the law
requires them, to treat their fellow laborers
as they would insist upon being treated
under the same circumstances. 1t makes
no difference how large may be the majority
OF those who believe that their interests
are best protected inside the union. nor how
few and deluded are those who take the op-
pcsite view. 1t makes 40 difference how
great an obstacle to the laudahle purposes
of the union a few misled or disloyal associ-
ates may be. 1t is q question Of individual
right. Those who wish to surrender q part
of their individual freedom of action for the
cake OF the larger benefits that may be gained
through union have an unquestionable right
10 do so. The law recognizes their right
and gives standing to the union itself. but
the right OF those who choose TO rem ain
the eyes Of the law.