Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-01-08


 counterfeit label is to deceive the purchaser.
 The present legislature could vali- date the registration of this label and thus prevent the use of the counter felt one. would recommend that the incoming legislative committee be instructed to present bill to the general assembly validating the press ent registration.
 When we consider that the Sherman antitrust act has been in existence for sixteen years, and that the avow- ed purpose of the act was to prevent the transportation and railroad com panies from fixing discriminating rates, freight and passenger, where the road ran from one state to an- other, it requires vivid imagination to make it apply to trade union. For years 1t remained practically dead letter law" But 1t was resur- rected by the Boycott associa- tiOn for the manifest purpose of har- rassing the Hatters' union.
 But one conclusion can be reached in these cases and that Is this: The hatters were singled out for attack, because they typified the highest de- velOpment of the trade union move ment in Connecticut, and, if the Hat ters' organization could be disrupted by costly legislation, the disintegra- tion of other trades unions would soon follow. The matters deserve credit for their aggressive opposition to the methods of the AntilBoycott association and are to be congratu- lated that not in the slightest degree has their efficiency as trade union been impaired, that not one member has faltered in his loyalty, and that the new year finds them determined that no established rights shall be in- yaded by an organization that refuses to divulge the names of it's members.
 It is our earnest wish that the pres ent general assembly shall look with some favor upon our efforts to se- cure reasonable legislation.
 Among the more important meas ures that we are interested in, the modification of the boycott law stands pre-eminent. By reason of it's phraseology. it is distinctly class measure. We succeeded at the last session of the general assembly in securing favorable report amending this obnoxious law. The report was rejected by the house of representa- tives, also by the senate. I would recommend that we vigorously pre- sent our claims at this session of the general assembly.
 Our efforts to secure an employ ers' liability act have so far been fruitless. I am informed that ex- Governor Douglass of Massachusetts has said that the present employers liability act in force in Massachusetts has given general satisfaction. If 1t is a good law in Massachusetts, 1t ought to be good law in Connecti- cut.
 The United States congress has been urged to pass law prohibiting the wearing of any pin, button or in- signia of any organization by per son who is not entitled to wear the same. The petitioners were in- formed that the United States con gross could not pass any measure of that character, but recommended that the state legislatures be appealed to. In response to the appeal, Massa- chusetts passed an effective measure. but the Connecticut legislature did not deem it of sufficient importance and reported adversely on the bill. Our efforts to secure the passage of this bill should be renewed. We are confronted with problem in Ic.er- ence to the attachments laws.
 No objection can be urged to the attachment of mans private prop erty for his own debts or his own wrongs. but when it reaches out and attaches his property because he is a member of a trades union it smacks of oppression and ought to be changed. Unless there has been a marked change in the governmental policy of the state. we need not look for an effective eight hour legislation. I am of the opinion that more ef- fective and satisfactory eight hour day can be established In Connecticut by organization and federation than by Legislation.
 Other measures of more or less im- portance to labor will no doubt he in- troducel which will demand oud at- tention. Let us look forward to bet ter results and more considcrate treatment during the session of 1907 than we were accorded at the hands of the legislature of 1905. Much in- terest has been aroused regarding the active campaign carried on in the re- cent past. The indifference of the 59th congress to our requests com pelled the general executive board of the American Federation of Labor to appeal to the conscience and the sup port of our fellow citizens. The hos tile press warned us that this ''in- yasion- would mean the disruption of the labor movement. It tried to make 1t appear that it was an attempt to .ieIiver' the labor vote. It ridi- culed Presiden, Go,npers and his as sociates: 1t predicted the defeat of PreIdent Gompers for reelection as president of the American Federation of Labor.
 am pleased to report that the Federation of Labor CO., operated with the American Federa- ton in the recent campaign. and the results of the first skirmishes are in- deed gratifying. Not one of the pro phecses of our opponents has been fulfilled. but on the contrary our or ganization emerged from the battle bouyed by the hope that some day success will crown our efforts.
 Perhaps no issue affecting our well fare Is more discussed and so little understood as is the use. or more strictly speaking. the abuse. of the