New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-29
LIBERAL-LABOR SPLIT.
Complete Immunity for Trades
Unions Funds Demanded.

London. March 2S.-The Trade Disputes bill.
which IS q direct outcome Of the Tan Vale de-
cision. which held that trades unions funds were
liable for the Illegal acts OF individual men,
bers OF a union. was introduced in the House Of
Commons this afternoon by the Attorney Gen
eral. ST. J. lawson walton. In explaining the
features Of the measure he said that the recent
court decisions had seriously curtailed the use
fsIness Of trades unions Their undoubted rights
Of peaceful persuasion had been cut down 70 the
77oiat Of extinction. and funds contributed to
provide against sickness and lack Of employ
rnent had been held liable 10 meet claims based
on the repudiated acts Of unauthorized officials.
The present bin provides that no act Of a
trades union shall be held T. ne unlawful If
such act is lawful when committed by an indi-
y1dusl. sets forth IN express terms the right OF
peaceful picketing. which. the Attorney General
SAID. was an essential part Of the right to strike
and defines the law Of agency as applied to
trades unions, making It impossible to claim re-
dress from union funds for any act unless II is
clear THAI the act was authorized by the gov
erning body OF the union.
In regard 10 the demands for the complete i'm
mUniry Of trades unions funds from attack. the
Attorney General declared that he did not think
Il right 70 create special privilege for the pro-
IetariaL II the bin did not fulfil the expecta-
tions Of the trades unions the government, at
least. had done its best TO solve the thOrny prob
lem.
II speedily became evident that the govern
ment's measure was not at all to the liking OF
the labor members. who. before its Introduction.
announced their opposition 10 anything short OF
complete immunity for union funds. In their
opposition the labor members are supported by
the Irish and many ministerial members, and
unless the government measure IS extended so
as 10 give union funds complete immunity from
claims for damages arising from strikes the Ia
Dor members VIII test the opinion Of the House
with Liu which they have prepared. The Irish
VIII ask 20 have the bin extended 10 include irish
farmers and others who are open 70 unfair treat
ueur The bill. which was read for the first time
today. VIII be fought on its second reading in
committee.
The Tan Vale case arose from the great strike
in the coal mining district in Wales in 1900 At
that time the AmaIgamated Society Of Railroad
Servants was on strike against the Tan Vale Rail
road Company. The company c0ntended that the
society had INDUCED I'm malicious molestatiOn and
Intimidation and other unlawful acts, and had thus
indicted injuries upon II. For these the railroad
asked damages. The suit was bitterly contested
10y the society. backed by the trades unions II was
fought through the different courts. and the de-
Clsi1n was finally made by the Kings Bench di-
vision OF the High Court Of Justice in 1902 IT held
that The Ama-gaNated Society was responsible for
its acts OF the acts OF its agents. and was liable
10 be mulcted in damages for actual injury done
on February g. 1sC. in accordance with an ar
TnneeIIeDr made between the two parties 10 the
suit the court awarded the Taft Vale Railroad
mated Society.