The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-03-19
BY HENRY GEORGE JR.

Danbury, Conn, is an attractive
place of about $4,000. inhabitants,
and has "a hat factories that make
about two-thirds of all the hats
used in the United States and
Canada.
All but three of these factories
are union. Of the three non-union
or "open" factories, that of d. E.
Loewe & Co. is the largest.
When the union asked Loewe &
Co. to unionize, Mr.. Loewe refused.
He thought he could get his labor
cheaper outside.
The union thereupon called its
men ont and, through its national
union--the United Hatters of North
America-and the affiliated Ameri-
can Federation of Labor, called the
Loewe hats unfair" and declared
boycott.
Loewe turned his case over to
the American Anti-Boycott associa-
ton and the fight began in earnest.
The association concluded TO
fight the union in an unusual way
OF the 5000 men in the local union,
it selected approximately $50 of the
most prosperous. They had little
homes and bank accounts which the
Anti-Boycott association attached
for alleged damages done Loewe's
business through the boycott. Sim
ultaneously it began two suits, one
in state and one in federal
court.
The attachments were at first for
100000 in the state and $240,000
in the federal court. But these
amounts were overruled as beyond
all reason. They were cut by the
courts to 100000 in the state suit
and $4,000 in the federal suit. OF
this total of $4,000 the sum of
$4,000 was in bank accounts and
$3.50 900 on homes.
These attachments occurred in
September, 1904-nearly three and
a half years ago!
They were expected to brighten
the workmen and destroy their
union. But though they proved
great hardship, the men stood fast.
When they found the burden I'M
bearable, the national union came
to their relief, taking over their
bank books with assignments, and
giving cash in exchange. In this
way the $50 men have had $4,000
from the United Hatters' treasury.
But they could not turn over
their homes, and have had to bear
the $4,000 of attachments remain
ing. "
And this they will have to con-
tinue to bear while the case is
being fought out in the courts.
For the decision of the supreme
court declared merely that suit
might be brought in the name of
Loewe under the Sherman Anti
Trust act for three times the dam
ages that could be proved.
1t is up to the Anti-Boycott as
ISOLATION to bring suit for alleged
damages in the United States dis
trict court. In the case before the
supreme court these damages were
set at $4,000. 1t remains to be seen
what part of this amount can
be proved before a jury.
But after that may come appeals.
Time may lengthen out into years
and meanwhile the $50 workmen
stand attached for $4,000!
If the Loewe Co. can prove $780,
600 of damages resulting from the
boycott, it will be entitled to exact
three times that amount under the
Sherman act or $4,000, if so
much can be found in the posses
sion of the $50 Danbury men al
ready attached or in the possession
of any other member of the union
besides!
And then, moreover, are all the
costs of litigation, which up to this
time have been very heavy; and
the fines to paw in a criminal suit,
If such should follow!
Large as it is, this takes no
note of the state case, in which no
move has been made since the at
tachment of 100000 was fixed three
and a half years ago!
Should that case be carried for.
ward and $4,000 of damages
through boycott proved, that
amount, plus costs, piled on top of