The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-10-23

Ia Mr.. Bryan In reality pledged to
this point Of view. Will he definitely
say either in writing or in q public
address whether he believes with Mr.
Gompers that the protection hereto.
fore AFFORDED by the courts Of equity
to the right to carry on q lawful bus.
mess In 9 lawful way is despotic pow.
er, and that the judges who exercise
that power are irresponsible despots?
$50 far as the second section Of the
bill is concerned. 1t is perfectly clear
that II would legalize the blacklist
and the sympathetic boycott carried
to any extent. It would legalize acts
which have time and again been de-
clared oppressive, unjust and immor-
al by the best and most eminent la
Dor leaders themselves.
Does Mr.. Bryan believe with MI.
|Gompers that he and.that the part Of
the labor movement which
agrees with him has the right
morally and should be given
the right legally to paralyze or
destroy with impunity the business Of
an innocent third person. against
whom he or they have no direct griev-
ance, simply because this third person
refuses to join with them aggressively
in a. labor controversy with the real
merits Of which he may be utterly
unacquainted, because he refuses to
class as his enemy any and every 9th:
er employer whom they point out as
their enemy, because he refuses, mere
" upon their preemptory order to ex-
communicate some other employer by
ceasing all business relations with
him?
Blacklist ls Cruel.
THE blacklist and the secondary
boycott are two of the most cruel
forms of oppression ever devised by
the wit Of man for the infiction Of
suffering on his weaker fellows.
mo court could possibly exercise
any o brutal ~unfeeling or des-
potic power than MI. Gompers claims
for himself and his followers in. this
legislation, which would permit them,
without let or hindrance Of any kind
to carry On every form and degree of
the secondary boycott.
sThe anthracite strike commission,
as fair minded distinguished a body
Of men as ever passed judgment on an
industrial question thus refers to the
secondary boycott, that Is the boy
colt of innocent persons refusing to
take an aggressive part in a contno-
versy when they have no concern:
ITO say this is not to deny the
legal right of any ma or set Of men
voluntarily to refrain from social in
t%ercourse or business relations with
any persons whom he or they with or
without good reason dislikes. This
may seem unChristian, but it is not
illegal. But when it Is a concerted
program of a number of persons not
only to abstain themselves from such
intercourse, but to render the life of
their victim miserable by persuading
and intimidating others to refrain,
such purpose is a, malicious one and
the concerted attempt to accomplish it
is a conspiracy at common law, and
merits and should receive the punish
ment due to such a crime
THE commission further states that
this boycott can be carried to an ex-
tent which was condemned by Mr..
Mitchell, president Of the United Mine
Workers Of America, in his testimony
before the commission and which GER
deserves the reprobation Of all
thoughtful and law abiding citizens
Does Mr.. Bryan agree with Mr..
tfat -. existing ,e;hl res
traint ON the enforcement ot every
decree of the lcycott Shout. be with
drawn; that tho Industrial sxsonmuni-
cation OF the innocent ms .chant who
refuses to rende.' unquestionei oLcLi
ence to tho cslicrs Of Nc. lsompers
he c!.e.Wged; or does he he
lieve VITA IS. and with MI. Mitchell
and other labor leaders who differ with
Mr.. .Gompers in this matter that this
form Of the boycott is morally wrong,
that labor always should fight with it's
enemies and respect the rights OIL
neutrals, that innocent third parties
should not be coerced into taking sidesi
In Industrial disputes to which They'll
are in no degree parties, under penalty
81 having their business attacked and
destroyed?
Mr.. Taft is perfectly definite on
this proposition.
Bryan Question.
Where does Mr.. Bryan stand?
THE citizen who votes for or aaginst
Mr.. Taft o this proposition does so
his eyes open and with a closer
understanding from MI. Taft himself
of his position. He has frankly dis
cussed this subject time and again
workingmen themselves, both In
This campaign and prior to his nomina-
lion. He was willing to express his
position clearly and to assure work.