Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-12
SUBJECT OF IMPORTANCE
Government by Injunction Another
Burning Subject for Discussion.
ADDRESSES CIVIC FEDERATION
Doubts If It Would Be Advisable to
Have Compulsory Investigations
Of Industrial Disturbances.

NEW YORK, December 12-With we'll
nigh $50 persons in attendance. including
some of the best-known men in all walks
and professions of life, the National Civic
Federation began its fifth annual meeting
today in the Park Avenue Hotel. Among
those present were Andrew Carnegie, Cor
nelius N. Bliss, Oscar 8. Straus, Nicholas
Murray Butler, Archbishop Ireland, Bishop
Potter, ex-Gov. David r. Francis, Henry
Phpps, Clarence H. Mackay, Samuel Com
pers, John Mitchell, the Rev. Dr. Washing
ton GLADDEN., Clark Howell and James
Speyer.
The meeting was called to order by Au-
gust Belmont. president of the federation.
In his opening address, Mr. Belmont urged
the appointment of a committee to investi-
gate the problems growing out Of the ac-
cumulation of great fortunes. This subject
will be considered tomorrow under the title
of the income and Inheritance tax
NO subject can bring greater good to
this country IL correctly solved" said he,
''or greater harm If for wise and Just
taxation punitive spoHation and the de-
prise through hampering regulations be
substituted.
Government by Injunction.
Government by injunction is another
burning subject that is to be discussed.
When our workfngmen become imbued with
the idea that our courts are used by en-
ployers for partisan purposes, SO to speak
it is matter of great moment and worthy
OF the consideration of this body and
hope some steps may be taken through
the inst n faIi Of
help solve this apparently insolvable ques-
tion."
Mr.. Belmont said he hoped committees
would be appointed to investigate the
savings banks system building and loan
associations Industrial insurance and old
age pensions.
Mr.: Belmont said that he was not sure
that President Roosevelt's proposition for
compulsory investigation of Industrial dis
turbanceS is advisable.
He doubted the wisdom of government
interference, but the greatest justification
for such policy would be in the case of
quasi public corporations In the case Of
steam and street railroads the public
would have direct interest in the con-
troversy.
Combinations of Capital.
Mr.. Belmont also called attention to that
portion of President Roosevelt's message
wherein the President denounced the effort
The federation then took up government
by injunction. Carl Spelling. general at
torney for the American Federation of La
Dor, said that in labor disputes judges have
sent forth DEGREES which were special leg
islation and have paralyzed and rendered
abortive all the evorts on the part of the
labor side of that dispute.
An injunction, he said should never be
granted except to protect property or prop
erty rights, and the courts have no juris-
dictfon to ever grant an injunction except
for that purpose.
1t was deplorable, said Mr.. Spelling, that
men should be advised to commit crimes,
but more deplorable If irresponsible men on
the bench are to be allowed to 'usurp au-
thority above the law and become unre-
strained despots to take one side in every
trade dispute, to decide ex parte that hun
dreds and thousands of men are about to
violate the law, and send forth these spe-
cial DEGREES to paralyze and destroy the
rights Of all these men. say that that is
the most dangerous tendency in our gov
eminent. If these vicious and far-reaching
precedents are to be recognized or permit
ted to go on building more on top of these
they will soon constitute and erect a power
as despotic as that which destroyed Rome"