Los Angeles herald., 1908-01-29
BR YAM HAS
GOOD WORD
FOR LABOR
THINKS OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
IN DISCRIMINATING
Nebraskan Holds with Minority Of Su-
preme Court That Empioye Should
Not Be Discharged for Be-
longing TO Union

By Associated Press.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 23.-William j.
Bryan again today visited the lobby OF
the house, chatting with members.
His attention being called to the su-
preme court decision holding that a
corporation has a right to discharge
a man because he is member OF
labor union, he dictated the following
statement:
IT have not had opportunity to read
the decision. The subject is one OF
vital Importance. 1 don't understand
by what course of reasoning ma
iority of the court reached the decision.
"A corporation is a creature of law,
1t has no rights except those given 1t
by law, and 1t must not be confused
with the natural man, for man was
created to carry out divine purpose.
the corporation was created to make
money.
"The corporation enjoys many rights
and privileges which are denied to IN
dividuals, and 1t cannot claim the pos
session of any natural or inaltenable
rights. The power that creates cor
poration can restrict it, restrain 1t ana
control 1t, and congress has plenary
powers in dealing with corporations
in so far as they engage in interstate
commerce.
"whatever may be the rights Of an
individual in dealing with other In
dividuals, the government certainly
has the right to determine the condi-
lions upon which a corporation can
exist and do business, and congress
can fix the terms upon which state
corporation can engage in interstate
commerce. The labor union is lawful
association. and IL man can be dis
charged because he belongs to labor
union by the same logic he can be dis
charged IL he belongs to political
party Objectionable to the employer, or
to church against which the employ
ers are prejudlced.
Followed to its logical conclusion,
the principle laid down by the court,
as 1 understand the decision, would
enable the corporation to set itself up
as a dictator In regard to the habits,
thoughts and convictions OF its en-
ployes on any and every subject.
1.-THE fact that two of the justices
have dissented. enables me to dissent
from the conclusion Of the majority
without disrespect to the ability OF
high powers of those who have given
what regard as an erroneous con-
struction to the constitution"
The house committee on election of
president and vice president held
meeting today and decided to hear Mr..
Bryan on Thursday morning next In
support Of the Belmont bill, which
makes compulsory Llit puDlASdliOh VI
campaign contributions by amount and
name.
Mr. Bryan was again the chief guest
at a dinner given In his honor tonight
by Senator Newlands of Nevada, at
"Woodley." Invited to dine with the
distinguished Nebraskan were thir-
teen Democratic senators and judi
son Harmon of Ohio. Tonight's dinner
was the second one given by Senator
Newlands in honor of Mr.. Bryan, and
the two functions were arranged so
that one-half of the Democratic sem
ators were entertained last evening
and the remainder this evening.
Those present were Senators Nc
Emery of Louisiana. McLaurin and
Money of Mississippi. Martin Of Vir-
ginia, Overman and Simmons of North
Carolina, Rayner and Whyte of Mary
land, Stone of Missouri, Taliaferro of
Florida, Taylor of Tennessee, Teller of
Colorado and Tillman of South Car
DINA.
Democratic policies in the matter of
legislation again formed the chief topic
of discussion.