The Washington herald., 1908-03-22
LABOR IN FIGHT.


labor and the wealth producers OF our
country are TO be averted-
The followini. amendment to the Sher-
man antitrust law had already been
drawn up and ssreed upon by The exeeu-
tive council. aching with the legal advisers
OF the American Federation Of Labor. This
is designed 10 relieve labor from the harm
fuI operation Of the Sherman antitrust
law which was never intended to apply
to 1t.
sherman Aati-trust Law.
That nothing in said act fSherman
antitrust law. or in this act Is intended
nor shall any provision thereof hereafter
be enforced so as to apply to organiza-
tionS or associations not for profit ana
without capital stock. nor 70 the members
Of such organizations or associations.
That nothing in said act (Sherman
antitrust law or in this act is intended
nor shall any provision thereof hereafter
be enforced so as to apply 10 any ar
rangements. agreements. or combinations
among persons engaged in agriculture or
horticulture made with view of en-
hancing the price OF their own agricul-
tural or horticultural products
This amendment was carefully con-
sldered IN conference and met with en-
thusiastic, hearty, and unanimous ap-
prOval
1T is the unanimous feeling that some
special steps should be taken to impress
upon Congress the necessity OF prompt
action upon the Sherman antitrust law
labor legislation now pending. namely:
The bill to regulate and limit the is
suance Of injunctions-'Pearre bill
Employers liability bill.
The bill extending the application of
the eight-hour law TO all government en-
ployes. and those employed upon work
/ for the government, whether by contract
OF subcontractOrs.
Your representatives prepared the pro
test which you viii find accompanying
this, and delivered the same 20 Speaker
Cannon. OF the House. and Vice Presi-
/ dent Fairbanks, President Of the Senate.
AS 10 the effect OF our solemn protest
representing the desires and needs Of our
/ fellow workers and their friends we can
not at this time state, but We believe that
Congress appreciates the gravity Of the
situation. In our protest We endeavored
while preserving a courteous and dignihed
/ form Of address 10 make Il entirely clear
TO Congress that organized labor is in no
mood to be trihed with. Ii means busi-
ness. We truly believe that IN this pro-
test we stated very conservatively to
/ Congress the intense feeling OF anxiety
and apprehension which asitates the
workers Of the country and their sym
pathizers-
Without doubt the presentation Of Ia
boris protest by our accredited represent
atives did much TO convince the country
at large that labor expects OF Congress
the relief which is within the power OF
the laW-making department OF govern
ment and expects II from this session Of
l the present Congress-
supreme Court Decision.
The Supreme Court decision applying
the Sherman law TO labor makes the
crisis an especially grave one. for under
that decision every normal. peaceful. and
helpful activity Of the workers whether
exercised individually or in association
may be construed as a conspiracy or a
combination in restr6int of trade and
commerce and punished by fine and i'm
prisonment or both and damages may be
inflicted 20 the extent OF each individuals
possessions.
Every legitimate pressure must now be
brought TO bear upon Congress in the
I effort TO secure the passage Of our amend
ment TO the sherman law.
Hold mass meetings in every city and
town IN the United States on the evening
OF the third Sunday or Monday in April
70 or % and at that meeting voice fully
and Enthusiastically labor's protest against
the Supreme Court decision which strips
labor Of the rights and liberties which
We had supposed were guaranteed by the
Constitution. Resolutions should be
adorted urging upon the present Congress
the passage Of the amendment 70 the
Sherman law and warning Congress that
it will be held responsible for failure 10
enact such legislation.
Labor should spare no activity 20 i'm
press upon Congress its insistent demand
for the passage Of this amendment.
In addition TO the holding Of the mass
meeting Of April 70 or %. and on such
other dates as may be fixed in future and
the forwarding OF resolutions expressing
member of organized labor should write a
] personal letter to the Congressman OF his
district and to the two United States
Senator'S OF his State insisting that they
use their efforts and cast their vote for
| the passage Of our amendment to the
{ sherman law and other legislation men
( toned in labor's protest and warning
| them that labor and its friends will hold
them responsible. That labor proposes
to be represented In Congress by men
wko viii do justice to the workers and
all the people-that it proposes TO exer-
else every political and industrial activity
10 this end-that upon the record Of this
1 Congress viii be based the workers de-
cision as 10 a candidate future de-
STABILITY as a member of Congress.
Get every friend OF labor TO white a
personal letter or this character. Let Il
be brief. but TO the point, and keep n rec
ord Of the resolutions and letters for
warded.
I'VE hope most earnestly for the pas
sage OF the measures We have urged. but
| should Congress fan 70 do its duty we
will, by following this method. be able
TO place the responsibility upon those who
have failed to do justice to labor when il
lay within their power.
/ We deem II essential for the successful
accomplishment Of the plan set forth in
the foregoing that local unions. city. cen
tral. and State declarations follow closely
the line Of action outlined by this con-
ference. and such further plans as may
be promulgated by the executive council
or by future conferences. so that our
strength and influence shall not be frit-
tered away by different lines Of action
we have appealed to Congress for the
necessary relief we deem essential 20
safeguard the interests and rights OF the
toilers.