Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-12-13
Discussed by the National
Civic Federation.
August Belmont PresIdes at
Opening Session Wednesday.
Many Men Of Worldwide Reputa-
ton Among Those Present.

New York, Dec. l2.-1l ne Ndllo!ldi
Civic Federation began its fifth annual
meeting at the Park Avenue hotel to
day There were about 30 persons pres
.nt, including a number OF leading men
in commerce, labor, the professions and
ether walks Of life.
The meeting WAS called t" order by
August Belmont, the president IN an
address MI Belmont reviewed briefly
the two topics for discussion at the
first days session, "Child Labor and
Government by Injunction The an
nual banquet of the association was
Ecid at Park Avenue hotel tonight.
The meeting will be continued tomor-
row.
Among those present were: Andrew
Carnegie, Cornelius n. Bliss, Oscar :.
Straus, Nicholas Murray Butler, Arch
bishop Ireland, Bishop Henry &. Pot
tci. Samuel GomperS, John Mitchell
and the Iicv. Washington GLADDEN..
The meeting was called 10 order by
August Belmont, president of the fed
Grafton, who said there We're several
subjects which, though related to the
regular departments, were practically
new questions and demand considera-
ton. MI Belmont urged the appoint
ment OF Il committee to investigate the
problems growing out Of the accumu-
lation of great fortunes. This subject
will be considered tomorrow.
Government by injunction, is anoth-
er burning object that is to be dis
cusscd" he said. Mr.. Belmont said it
is To be hoped that committees will be
appointed TO investigate the savings
bank system, building and loom asso-
Citations, industrial Insurance and old
age pensions.
Mr. Belmont said that he was not
| sure that President RooScvelt's propo-
sition for compulsory investigation Of
industrial disturbance is advisable. He
| doubted The wisdom of government in
| reference but the greatest justification
| for such a policy would be in the case
| of quasi public corporations like steam
and street railroads.
| The federation then took up the goy-
ernmcnt by injunction.
| 7. Carl Spelling. general counsel for
| tie American Federation Of America,
| said that in labor disputes Judges have
sent forth DEGREES which We're special
| legislation ANA have paralyzed all #
| forts on the part of the labor side of
| that dispute
| An injunction, Mr.. Spelling said,
! should never be granted except to pro-
| tcct property or property rights and
| the courts have no jurisdiction even
| to grant an injunction except for that
purpose.
Mr.. Spelling declared that President
| Roosevelt in his message had said that
opponents Of the injunction insist upon
ts abolition ana that the President hat
| given sanction to the idea that an in.
junction is a peculiarly adequate rem
edy 10 prevent crime, violence and dis
| order This, Mr.. Spelling said, was MOI
the case.
| He declared that it was very seldom
that strikers ever resort to actual VIC
| lcncc, but frequently appoint commit
tees to help the police preserve peace
He said the Parce bill which is, before
Congress emhodies the proper and lr-
Ultimate demands of organized labor
john Mitchell, president of the init
ed Mine Workers of America, said:
1T has been our proud boast that II.
citizen might he deprived Of his liberty
except by a jury of his peers. BY the
injunction this feeling Of security has
largely disappeared and the American
Workingnan has come to feel that hi:
liberty is icopardiZed.
| The wC1kinSnan does not want HI
| case submitted to the federal judge.
80 no. snare entirely i'll his lack Of crn
tdclCo hut the very fear of the partial
ily Of the federal Judiciary is 4 m2tt"l
~ grave concern 10 TIC entire rtorlc NJ
this country. SO many men have beer
imprisoned for doing things they have i
| legal ana constitutional right To DO Con.
t!emcn, tcll YOU if a judec-and | yiol'
t. 10 one i'll my regard for my country
were 10 cnjon me in something boliev-
| al I had = legal and moral right to 30
/ would violate the injunction. rs al
American I would preserve my libcrtH
ana that Of my people. even against fed
cral judges.
eve hold the injumctions shall not b,
issued when there is adequate remedy al
law. \ man. We hold shall no. he SEN