The Idaho scimitar. [volume] (Boise, Idaho) 1907-1908, 1908-06-27
Labor Denied a Hearing.


convention to consider a resolution submitted by the
American Federation of Labor favorng modi6ca
ton of the injunction power of and the prac-
flee of courts in contempt proceedings.
The federation through its PRESIDENT Mr. Gompers
asked the republican party to favor the enactment
of laws guaranteeing the right of labor to organize
Also the enactment Of a law to prohibit the ssu-
ance of njunctons in arising out of labor dis
putes when such inJunctlons do not apply, and will
prevent restraining orders without hearing and guar
anteeing trial by jury to persons accused of contempt
of court"
Organized labor demanded in effect that the princi-
ple of government by injunction, first given force
bv Mr. Taft when judge, be rejected by the republi
can party The resolution touching upon the mooted
subject finally adopted by the republican convention
recites:
The republican party will uphold at all times the
authority and integrity of the courts state and ma
tona and will insist that their powers to en-
force their processes and to protect life, liberty and
property shall be preserved inviolae.
We believe, however, that the rules of procedure IN
federal court with respect to the issuance of writ
of Injunction should be more accurately defined by
the statute that no injunction or temporary order
should be issued without notice. except where irrepar
able injury would result from delay, IN which case
speedy hearing thereafter should be granted.
William J. Bryan has given to the public an an
ayss of this plank of the republican platform, show
ing that it contemplates nothing that is not now III
the laws. The convention therefore committed the par
y to obedience to the existing laws and did not ask
for any legislation the subject. AS the FEEDER
alton of Labor insistent on new legislation tor
the relief of organized labor there is nothing napt in
Mr.. Bryans statement that the injunction plank has
not even the value of gold plated brick for the
plating is BRASS as we'll the interior of the brick
The convention gave to labor grouping of words
and phrases all that may be looked upon as manda-
tory in the plank having been copied from an ex-
listing statute. Mr. Bryan says that IF the conven-
ton had been frank in the statement of its position
it would have quoted the present statute and said it
was in favor of enforcing the law it is. 1t would
have said
Whereas, at present, court or judge may grant
temporary restraining order if there appears to be
danger of rreparable injury from delay therefore,
be it resolved that we are opposed to changing It,
The convention believed also that "the rules of pro-
cedure in the federal court with respect to the issu
ance of writ of injunction should be more accurate
1y defined by the statute" In this declaration the
platform does not commit the party to anything but
the vague proposition that something should be de-
fined anew.
Mr.. Bryan discusses plank on the injunction sub
ject prepared under the direction of Mr.. Taft and
submitted to the committee resolutions and not
reported by that committee In relation to the Taft
resolution he says:
The plank that went before the convention as his
plank weak that it amounted to nothing, but
it then too strong for the convention, and
the convention adopted plank which not only does
not grant any concessions to the laboring men but
really emphasizes the position taken by large cor
poration employers by hurting anathema at those
who are suspected of desire to modify the law
relating to njuncons. This is the treatment received
by the wage earners from the national convention
of the republican party If this is the position of
before he that has a.
boring man to hope that the party will do better after
election