Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-11-15
ANTI BOYCOTT
SUIT ARGUED
IN COURT
CASE INVOLVES RIGHT
TO PRINT "UNFAlR LIST
American Federation of Labor
and Manufacturers AsSo-
citation to Fight Issue to the
Finish.
IBy Morning SournnI Special Leased wire'l

IBy Morning journal Special Leased Wire'l
Washington, Nov. 1.-THE suit OF
the Buck Stove and Range company
of St Louis. brought TO enJoin the
American Federation of Labor from
boycotting the company products
was given a hearing before Justice
Gould today in the supreme court of
the Dustrict of Columbia The case
has attracted widespread attention be-
cause of the effect on organized labor
and possible far-reaching develop
ments of a political nature.
The hearing today was on the ques-
ton of rule ito show cause why an
injunction should not be issued re-
stralning the publication of the unfair
list which Is printed i'm the monthly
issue of the "Federationist," the or
gan of the federation. Ii is reported
that an agreement viii be announced
between the counsel to make the pres
ent proceeding a final hearing OF the
case instead Of merely on the rule to
show cause. the agreement permitting
of course. an appeal TO the higher
courts.
The argument of one Of the attor-
neys for the plaintiff occupied most OF
the session. He recited the position of
the plaintiff company as outlined IN
the briefs, contending that the publ
cation was a boycott In restraint OF
trade, violation of the law which had
done great damage TO the plaintits
trade He took up in succession the
answers of the defense 20 the various
allegations i'm the case and presented
affdavits intended TO sustain the
charges I'm the suit. Attorney Jackson
Ralston. of this city. who was the first
to speak for the federation, presented
an amended answer to the rule, which
as amended embodies aflidavits by
President Gompers of the Federation'
Joseph Valentine, William Brenile,
Martin Brendle, Martin Schreiver,
Arthur Moran and George Becttold. in
lrefutation of certain Of the allegations
in the case The afidavts deny that
any steps taken at the federation con
ivention In Minneapolis last November
were for the purpose OF carrying out
any conspiracy. They admit that the
name Of the Buck company and its
products were printed in the we
Don't Patronize" list. published In the
issues Of the "Federationist," and cir
culated among the affiliated organi-
zations, and admit that a resolution
was introduced In the Minneapolis
convention to indorse boycott of the
Buck company, which resolution was
referred to the executive committee.
The defense charges that the Buck
company had in fact boycotted and
blacklisted every member of the In
ternational Brotherhood of Foundry
Workers and the Federation learned
that the position of President III. w.
Van Cleave. of the plaintiff company,
was such that further appeal to him
was useless and the federation, after
satisfying itself of the truth of this.
placed the company on the unfair list.
Mr. GOmpers in his affidavit explained
that the expression unfair" was well
understood to mean inequltable and
unjust I'm treatment of labor and does
not intend to lmpute any unfairness
in general conduct or dishonesty. Mr..
Ralston discussed some Of the points
contending for the right OF the feder-
alton 10 publish unfair" lists. He,
will resume his argument tomorrow.