The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-03-30
FOR A BOYCOTT
CIRCULAR LETTER ISSUED n
 STRIKE COMMITTEE,
Opinion Expressed That This Letter, as Well as Other Acts of
 Strikers, May Be
 AGnfpgt Law.

4 circular letter, signed by the strike committee of the local division of the Amalgamated Association of Street and Electric Railway Employees of America, was issued yesterday, ap- pealing to the ladies of the city not to pafronize the street cars of the Mont gomery Traction Company as long as It does not comply with the demand of the former members of the company. The appearance of the circular on the streets caused a great deal of comment. which has been heard to a lesser degree almost since the begin ming of the strike, because of the at- titude of the strikers. and the question nas been raised by a large number Of people 1T their course since the inaugu- ration of the strike. and especially in issuing the circular letter, is not in contravention of the law against boy cotts and picketing passed by the Leg fslature four years ago.
 So much interest has been aroused. and so many people arc Interested ir, the matter, not Knowing how far thew may go in their sympathies for or against either side, and still be acting wienIn the law, that portion of the enactment is given herewith.
 Section 1--Be 1t enacted bv tha Legisiature of the State of Alabama. That It shall be unlawful for two or more persons to conspire together for lne purpose of preventing any person. nrni, or corporation from carrying or, any lawful business in the State of Alabama. or for the purpose of inter- fering with the same
 Sec. 2--That 1t shall be unlawful Tor any person or persons to 20 near to or loiter about the premises or place of business of any person. firm or corporation engaged In q lawful business for the purpose of influencing or inducing others not to trade with. buy from, sell to or have business dealings with such person, firm or corporation, or to picket the works or place Of business of such other per- son, firm or corporation for the purpose or interfering with or injuring any lawful business or enterprise; provid- cd. that nothing herein contained shall prevent any person from solic- tttng trade or business for a eompeti- tive business"
 Section of this act makes 1t un- lawful to print. post or circulate any notice that boycott exists or is contemplated. Section makes 1t unlawful to use force, threats OF other means of intimidation to prevent any person from engaging in any lawful occupation.
 Section of this aot makes 1t un- lawful for any employer to maintain blacklist against. any persons. or to use any sirnflar means to prevent any per son from obtaining employment
 The penalty for violating any provis- ion of the act is fine of from $50 to $500. or Imprisonment for not to exceed sixty days
 Ray Rushton, attorney for the Trac- ton Company, was seen regarding the matter last evening, and declared with out question that such letter as that Issued by the strike committee is in the nature of boycott.
 The Traction Company has not. and will not. unless it is forced to, adopt any extreme measures" said Mir Rush ton. Our men have been arrested as means of interfering with traffc, but we have not sworn out any warrants against the strikers and do not expect to. if we can possibly avoid 1t.
 There has not been an hour since the strike began that the leaders of the strike, as well as many of their followers, could not have been arrested under the anti-boycott and picketing law, to which you have referred, had we been so inclined. I am very much of the opinion that the wearing of the walk badges that are to be seen on the streets is of itself a violation of the law"