Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1908-09-24

Abstract of Judges Address on Labor
Legislation Issues.

Abstract of Judges Address on Labor
Legislation Issues.
CHICAGO. Sept 23.-Judge Taft in his
address to the Order of Railroad Conductors
tonight said:
II am glad to meet so many members of
organized railroad labor. l have accepted
this opportunity to address an audience of
members of the brotherhoods in order that
I may take up a question which has been
given great prominence in this campaign,
and in which l must say that every effort
has been made unjustly TO arouse the preju-
dice or organized labor against the repub-
lcan party and its candidate.
I'm the first place wish to affirm, with
out fear OF contradiction. that the republic
can party has done vastly more than the
democratic party both in state and national
legislation for the protection and In the
interest of labor. 1t passed in General
Harrison's administration the eght-hour
law for government workmen and gave
an impetus to a reduction of hours in other
employment. The safety appliance acts by
which railroads were required to make pro-
vision for the safety of their employees and
thus to reduce the shocking loss of life
and limb among railroad employees, were
passed by the same administration.
Amendments to this act making more de-
tailed specifications for improvements In
safety appliances including especially the
fire pan, have been passed in the present
administration.
IAN act for the promotion of arbitration
between the railroads and their employees
In interstate commerce is also one of these
acts of beneficence to both employer and
employe The last congress enacted a law
which was declared unconstitutional and
then in it's second session re-enacted the
law to avoid the courts objections. BY this
act a railway employe who brings suit for
damages against the company cannot now
be defeated on the ground that the negli-
gence was the negligence of fellow SER
want II he is shown to be guilty of negli-
gence himself in slight degree, he does
not forfeit his right of action. but 1t is
left to the jury to apport1on the damages
and reduce them as equity shall justify.
I'm addition TO this a law limiting the
hours of labor of interstate railroad en-
ployes has been passed. A bill was also
passed by the last session of congress
providing for compensation to government
employees for injuries received In the gov
ernment employ. 1t is an inadequate law
and will doubtless be improved by coming
congresses. An issue, however, has arisen
as to the attitude of the two parties on the
subject of injunctions in labor disputes.
81 propose first TO take up my personal
/ relation to this question. 1t fell 10 my lot
to be a Judge of the superior court of Gin
| cinnati, for three years and a judge of the
| United States circuit court for the Sixth
| district, including Michigan. OHIO. Ken
/ lucky and Tennessee for eight years and
during that time l had 10 consider a num-
ber of important cases involving the rights
of labor and the rights of the employer
as well as the practice in equity with refer
ence to the Issuing OF injunctions in such
cases
| The first case was not an injunction suit
| at all. A boss bricllayer quarreled with
! the union and their members who were in
| his employ struck. In order 20 embarrass
him, the union notified all the local dealers
/ in materials that they would boycott any
firms which furnished him with materials.
Moores & Co. had a contract to deliver
to this boss bricklayer a lot OF lime. In
| order to avoid trouble, they secured from
him a release from the contract, but he
| sent his wagon TO the freight station and
brought lime out OF the car where Moores
| & Co sold lime to anyone who applied.
The walking delegate OF the union discov-
cred Il and a boycott was begun Moores
& Co. were prevented from selling to their
usual customers any lime or other material
for a great number OF months and suf-
' arontfn,.a or asco,a p.z.N