The Washington herald., 1907-11-18


their international union and Stove
Founders National Defense Association.
of which The Buck company is a mem
her.
Declaring the BOycot1
As result OF this dispute. the bill de-
clares. the American Federation of Labor
was asked to and did declare a boycott
against the Buck company and has
promoted this boycott by every means
within its power The Federation is the
supreme authority OF 40 national or in
ternationaI unions, 27,OOO locals. &c State
federations, and $50 central labor unions,
representing total membership of more
than 100000 union working men. AZ the
national convention of the Federation IN
Minneapolis in November. 1906. reso-
luton was introduced by George BechtoId,
delegate from the International Brother
hood of Foundry Employees, stating that
the Buck Stove and Range Co. dismissed
every member OF that brotherhood In its
employ as soon as IL became known he
was a member. The resolution provided
that the product OF the Buck company
be placed on the I'VE don't patronize"
list. The convention committee on boy
colts, composed largely of delegates from
St Louis, favorably reported the resolu-
tion for consideration by the executive
council Of the Federation. At its. meeting
in Washington I'm March, 1907. the execu-
tive council declared the company unfair
and placed its name on the I'VE don't
I Iv...N VW 1fgn ntan
that list in the American Federationist
ever since. While the prescribed practice
OF the Federation calls for mediation and
an attempt at amicable settlement by the
Federation. the company declares that
this was never TesOrted 10.
Damage Done TO Business.
Since that time the Buck company
complains that its business has been ir-
reparably injured by the activities OF
members OF the affiliated unions in boy
cotting its stoves and ranges.
The relief sought by the Buck Stove
and Range Company is an injunction
perpetualy restraining or enjoining the
1 Federation OF Labor, its officers, and
members. and all others concerned. from
in any manner carrying on a conspiracy
4 20 restrain and destroy the business OF
! the company. from conspiring 10 prevent
/ the company from carrying on its busi-
ness, from agreeing or combining to in
/ jure. destroy. or interfere with the com
pany's business or sale Of its products
/ by itself or any one else.
Eject of the Boycott.
Mr.. Davenport, OF counsel for the COM
pany, who has represented before Con-
/ gress large industrial interests which
| feel themselves threatened by the radical
ant-injunction legislation sought from
! Congress by the Federation. reviewed the
affidavits which the Buck Stove and
/ Range Company submitted TO show the
/ havoc wrought with its business by the
/ boycott. The first argument Of the ap-
plication for temporary injunction was
made by Mr.. Beck. who declared that
( the boycott was the principal weapon OF
/ the American Federation OF Labor in
/ forcing compliance with its demands and
/ the demands Of the organizations affili-
/ ated with and subordinate 10 Il. The ap-
/ pearance Of the name OF any person OF
| firm on the I'VE don't patronize" list
/ he declared. was the signal for the i'm
]
/ official organizer. or other agent OF the
/ Federation or the affiliated unions knew
/ Immediately what 20 DO In the way OF
so iniuring the business Of the unfair
concern, that 10 save itself from ruin IL
would aCcede 20 an agreement with what
ever union It was IN dispute on terms ac-
/ ccptable 10 that union. The executive
[, council with its power 70 declare boy
colts, Mr.. Beck said. was practically a
| court Of last resort. with Samuel Com
pers as its chief justice while the word
| unfair was its verdict. and the I'VE
/ don't patronize" list its writ Of execu-
ton.
Quotes from FederRtiOnIst.
Mr.. Beck invited the attention OF the
/ court to what he declared was a direct
attack upon its dignity and power. He
/ read from a copy OF the American Fed
| eratiOnist for October (since the suit was
dle0 an editorial paragraph which D.,
declared was notice that the possibl,
disappearance Of the name Of the BucH
Stove and Range Company from the w,
/ don't patronlze" list should not be &C.
cepted as meaning that the boycott had
been declared OF, but that even If IN,
name did cease 20 appear, the boycott
I should continue
Line of Defense
Mr. T. G. Spelling. Of counsel for tht
defense. is the author OF standard works
on injunctions. He will be in charge OF
the arguments before Congress in behalf
| OF the anti-injunction legislation sought
by the Federation. Also representing the
defense are RalstOn & Sddons, Of this
city.