Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-12-03
INJUNCTIONS.
Abuses of This Judicial Institution
Should Be Stopped.

Instances of abuse in the granting of
injunctions in labor disputes continue
to occur, and the resentment in the
minds of those who feel that their
rights are being invaded and their lib
erty of action and of speech unwar-
rantly restrained continues likewise to
grow. Much of the attack on the use
of the process of injunction is wholly
without warrant, but | am constrained
to express the belief that for some of
it there is warrant. This question is
becoming more and more one of prime
Importance, and unless the courts will
themselves deal with it in effective
manner it is certain ultimately to de-
mand some form of legislative action.
1t would he most unfortunate for our
social welfare if we should permit
many honest and law abiding citizens
to feel that they had just cause for re-
garding our courts with hostility. |
earnestly commend to the attention of
the congress this matter, so that some
way may be devised which will limit
the abuse of iniunctions and protect
it unwarrantably invades. Moreover,
discomfort is often expressed with the
use of the process of injunction by the
courts, not only in labor disputes, but
where state laws are concerned. l re-
frain from discussion of this question,
as | am informed that it will soon re-
ceive the consideration of the supreme
court.
The federal courts must of course
decide ultimately what are the respec-
tive spheres of state and nation in con-
nection with any law, state or national,
and they must decide definitely and
finally in matters affecting individual
citizens, not only as to the rights and
| wrongs of labor, but as 20 the rights
| and wrongs of capital, and the ma
| tiOnal government must always see
that the decision of the court is put
| into effect The process of injunction
is an essential adjunct of the courts
doing it's work well, and as preventive
measures are always better than rene
| dial the wise use of this process is
| from every standpoint commendable.
| But where it Is recklessly or unneces-
| sarily used the abuse should be cen
sured above all by the very men who
are properly anxious to prevent any eff
! fort to shear the courts of this neces-
sary power. The courts decision must
be final. The protest is only against the
conduct of individual judges in need
| lessly anticipating such final decision
| or in the tyrannical use of what is
' nominally a temporary injunction to
accomplish what is in fact permanent
1 decision.
Accidents.
The loss of life and limb from rail
road accidents in this country has be
come appalling. 1t is subject OF
which the national government should
take supervision. 1t might be well t
begin by providing for a federal in
spcction of interstate railroads some
what along the lines of federal inspec
ton of steamboats,. although not going
SO far. Perhaps at first all that 4
would be necessary to have would bt
some officer whose duty would be t.
investigate all accidents on interstat,
railroads and report in detail thu
causes thereof. Such an officer should
make it his business to get into clos,
touch with railroad operating men. 81
as to become thoroughly familiar will
= every side of the question, the ide;
being to work along the lines of th,
present steamboat inspection law.
!, The national government should b