The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-20
Labor Justly Indignant.

|
Labor Justly Indignant.
Labor is Justly indignant at the be-
stowal or guaranteeing of these
worthless and academic rights by the
courts, which in the same breath deny
and forbid to the workers the practical
and necessary application OF laws
which define and safeguard their rights
and liberties and the exercise Of them
Individually or in association"
! The protest submitted by Mr.. Comp
ers and his associates-Joseph T. VAL
entine, eighth vice-president Of the
American Federation of Labor; w. r.
Fairly. of the United Mine Workers
Union of North America; C. n. Barnett,
of the American Society of Equity: w.
D. Mahon. president OF the Amalga-
mated Street and Electric Railway en-
Iplayes. and P. j. McArtlle. of tho Anal
gamated Association Of Iron and Steel
Workers-refers to the Supreme Court
most recent perversion of the intent
of a law by the judiciary by which
the Sherman antitrust law has been
made to apply to labor, although It
was n accepted fact that Congress did
not intend the law to so apply, and
might even have specifically exempted
labor but for the fear that the Su-
preme Court might construe such an
affirmative provision to be unconsti-
tutional.
The workers." says the memorial,
Earnestly urge Congress to cooperate
With them In the upbuilding and edu-
eating of public sentiment which
| VIII coniine the judiciary to its proper
function, which is certainly not that
of placing construction upon a law
the very opposite of the plain intent
Of Congress. thus rendering worthless
even the very moderate efforts which
Congress has so far put forth to de-
| fine the status OF the most important
numerous and patriotic OF our peo-
pie. the wage-workers. the producers
lof all wealth.
Amendments Proposed.
1.-THE feeling OF restless apprehension
| with which the workers view the
apathy of Congress, is accumulated by
i the recent decision OF the supreme
Court" The memorial submits to Con-
gress for two amendatory
provisions in substance as follows:
That nothing In said act fisherman
anti trust law). or in this act is in
tended nor shall any provision there
OF hereafter be enforced so as to APP
! ply to organizations or associations not
for profit, and without capital stock,
J nor to the members of such organiza-
/ tons or associations.
I THAT nothing in said act fisherman
\ antitrust law), or in this act is In
tended nor shall any provision thereof
1 hereafter be enforced SO as to apply
| to any arrangements, agreements or
/ combinations among persons engaged
1 with viewsof enhancing the price
of their agricultural or horticultural
/ products"
4 Congress is Informed In the memorial that
additionally the most important measures
a61 Sd are Of e so
ticns; the employers liability act; the bill
extending the application Of the eight hour
employed on work for the government by
contractors and subcontractors.'
I'VE come to congress says and 1hs ad mem9
rrmedy for tho grievance OF which we just
liz complain. The psychological moment
mas for The shwos
4 vent it to BASS may invite disasterEto our
national life.
a ,iyites is bound to finally break, forth in
q violent form OF protest, especially among
the more ignorant of the people, who vii
fee. great bitterness II denied the eonsidera-
ton they have a night to expect at the
haAds or Congress''s
Promise Neg Liability Act.
Responding to the presentation Ct the
memorial by Mr.. Gompers, Speaker Iah''or
In part said; - o.,
81 speak as a representative and no. d toi
Congress ills proper for me 70 say s9 hiS',
nE your reference to tho empioys,a pv ~
court Of last resort. which under op h iorn
OF government must be supreme ~ ~ tSa he.
|iIaf, as move about and come IN conta i
with members OF the House that , the nn hn
been no time since the delivery Q. M, M, Zee,
a sentiment--I ahould say well -nign n at,
yersany IN the House TO enact saen - ~ whiol
peyers liability bill the orlgl ia,, - has re-
Gently been CONSTRUED by the eourt--n con 70
formity with the opinion q me s, G9 3ries, tax
ing care, so far as Congress or the a 2 x,
may be able to do so, that the ael s .May
enacted Ii so framed that II Viii ~ ,s vhe