New-York tribune., 1908-02-10
FOR BIG LABOR PARTY
UNIONS UP IN ARMS.
MoUement Started By c. F. L., zoath
8 Socialists an Sgmpathy.

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The decision of the United States Supreme
Court awarding three times the damages asked
for TO Loewe & Sons. of Danbury, Conn. in the
suit of the firm against the United Hatters Of
America for boycottng its products, came up
for discussion yesterday. and as a result resolu-
tions were presented by the executive COM
mittee at the meeting Of the Central Federated
Union calling the American Federation Of
Labor to order national convention of the
unions TO go into Independent politics.
During the discussion following the subrns
sion of the resolutions the socialist delegates
made their usual arguments in favor OF the
workingmen joining the Socialist party. The
American Constitution was declared to be an
antiquated document, applying TO the conditions
OF 10 years ago but requiring revision to be
applicable to the present time. and the United
States Supreme Court justices criticised
men who were behind the times. ]. Pierpont
Morgan incidentally criticised for being
quoted in interview aging the working
man would have to starve or accept wages that
would make honest business possible and profit
able
In the preamble to the resolutions II was
stated that great crisis which should be met
sincerely and determnedly, faced the country
and the workingmen. The resolutions asked for
the immedat te calling of a convention in some
central city by the American Federation of La
Dor at as early a date possible for the pIIr-
pose OF discussing these attacks upon the trade
unions, and devising ways and means for the
Immediate organization of an Independent po-
liticaI trade union movement throughout the
country
The resolutions also said that while the trade
unions were bereft of the power OF the boycott,
the interests combined against the trade unions
tbro he 1oIYI6 xyirS JIv
unions. They also asked that copies OF the
resolutions be sent to the American Federation
of Labor and every trade union throughout the
country, with request that they be discussed
and report be sent back as soon as possible.
1T IS necessary to act quickly" said Secre-
tary Bohna Of the Central Federated Union.
otherwise the decision in the case Of the hat
ters viii be followed by the destruction Of the
unions. II is evidently the intention Of the en-
pIoyers to deprive the unions of their useful
ness"
Morris Brown, a socialist delegate, argued in
favor Of socialism. Another socialist followed,
declaring that the time was now ripe for the
working people to join party that really rep
resented the working people There was go
cialist applause after these speeches
Unless you could put Up your own candi-
dates and elect your. own President" said ex-
Asembyulan Prince, delegate OF the Cigar
Packers Union, you could accomplish nothing,
as the United States Supreme Court is the high
est court in the country You would have then
to create sentiment in favor Of the elimination
Of the labor unions from the Sherman act by
new legislation"
Here Herman Robinson, the financial secre-
tary, took the floor. He said he was not z rep
resentative of President Roosevelt but he had
q word 10 say IN his favor.
81 see in an interview. with President Roose-
velt.' he said, that the President recommended
that the portion of the Sherman Law by which
the labor unions come under it's provisions
should be changed believe in giving credit
where credit is due"
Morris Brown got up again and argued in
favor of socialism, saying thar the socialists
were the only honest representatives of the peo-
pie. Timothy Healey Of the Eccentric Fire
mems union objected TO this broad assertion
Does Delegate Brown mean to say" he de-
manded, that there are no honest Democrats
or Republicans in the country
Brown said he did not mean that construction
TO be put on his words. He believed that there
were many honest Democrats and Republicans,
but that there were many of them who we've
neither honest nor sincere
Then HeaIey wanted TO know II in case the
unions were ready to form a national party,
brown WOulC De WulIlR IoT the SuCIdLASL party
to merge In 1T, the united party TO have
name. Brown hesitated, and then said that II
the party represented the interest of the people
he would not object
The Supreme Court justices and the Constitu-
ton were criticised by James Hatch, Of the
ITpnolsterers' Union.
THE Supreme Court Judges he said, hold
that the Sherman act is constitutional as applied
10 the labor unions. What we have to agitate
for is the n7oderrization of the Constitution. We
are not living under the conditions Of 125 years
ago. when the Constitution was formed, but we
are governed by the conditions of 125 years
ago The judges are fossilized, anc while they
are nice old men, they cannot understand the
wears that have elapsed since the Constitution
was applica BILE to the conditions Matters Will be
no better than they are long are
governed by these old conditions, while are
living under utterly different conditions now
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