The Washington herald., 1908-03-20

Laoors bill Of grievances. prepared by
Samuel Gompers. president Of the Ameri-
can Federation Of Labor. IN collaboration
with the heads OF other organizations af-
fliated with the federation. amounting n
a demand Tor certain legislative enact
ments in the interests Of labor at this sss-
sion Of Congress was submitted yestsr-
day to the Vice President OF The United
States and the Speaker OF the House Of
Representatives.
The bill Of grievances was first read TO
Speaker Cannon. and afterward the dele
cation OF labor leaders. headed by Presi-
dent Gompers. proceeded TO the once OF
Vice President Fairbanks, where the bill
was narrated 10 him. In their responses
the Vice President and the speaker gave
assurances that the proposed measures Of
relief for labor would have serious con-
sideratiOn at the hands OF the two Houses
Of Congress
! The only tangible result OF the confer
ences between lhe Speaker and the Vice
President on the one hand. and the labor
leaders on the other was the declaration
OF Mr.. Cannon that the House would IN
/ doubtediy pass bill re-enactine the en-
ployers'. liability act so as 10 meet the
constitutional objections found in the old
law BY the United States Supreme Court.
All VIII BE Considered.
As 20 the other Congressional enact
rnents sought BY labor. Speaker Cannon
Z assured his callers that they would have
I consideration by the proper committees
OF the House. Vice President Fairbanks
answered the delegation as follows: Your
petition Is clearly and ably expressed
VIII take the first opportunity 70 present
It 10 the Senate. Personally. 7 would be
glad 10 see legislation enacted that would
: tighten your burdens. an pieased that
you called upon me 70 present your Pc
tt!on."
The bin OF grievances projects an ex-
tensive leg ygramme. involving
a tremendous amount OF work, and af-
! fectiEg large interests other than labor.
Congress IS urged 10 pass a Law exempt
ing labor organizations from the appli-
cation OF the Sherman antitrust act Il
IS likewise urged 70 pass a law regulating
and limiting the injunction
a demand Is made for the enactment
OF a new employers liability act The
bin also emphasizes the alleged necessity
FOR the passage Of a bin extending the
I application OF the eight-hcur law 20 all
government employees, and those employ
ed upon work for the government whetl-
er by contractors or subcontractOrs
Critical Of Supreme Court,
The bill Of grievances is extremely crit
zeal OF recent decisions OF the supreme
Court bearing on labor. particularly that
in the Danbury case, wherein the court
held that a boycott constituted a coubi-
nation in restraint Of trade. and was.
/ therefore. a violation OF the terms OF
the antitrust act.
In the name Of labor" reass the BIZ,
we now urge upon Congress the neces-
sity for immediate action for relief from
the most grave and momentous situation
which has ever confronted the working
! people OF this country. This crisis has
/ been brought about by the application by
] the Supreme Court OF the United States OF
the Sherman antitrust law 70 the work
erS. both organized and In their indi-
vidual capacity.
Labor and the people generally look
asl1ance at the invasion Of the court
/ upon the representatives OF the law
making and executive departments or
+ our government
The workers feel that Congress itself
must share our chagrin and sense Of in
/ justice when the courts exhibit an Ut
( ter disregard for the real intent and pur-
( pose of laws enacted 10 safeguard and
protect the workers in the exercise OF
their normal activities There Is some
thing ominous in the ironic manner IN
which the courts guarantee 10 workers:
"Right' TO Be Killed.
The right 10 be maimeG and killed
without liability 10 the employer; the
right TO be discharged for belonging 10
union; the right 10 work as many
hours as employers please and under
any conditions which they may impose.
Labor is justly indignant at the be-
stowal or guaranteeing OF these worth
less and academic rights by the courts,
which in the same breath deny and for
bid the worker the practical and neces-
sary protection Of laws which define and
safeguard their rights and liberties, and
the exercise Of them individually or In an
association.
The most recent perversion or the IN
tent Of law by the judiciary. according
10 the bill has been the Supreme Court
decision In the hatters' case BY which
the sherman antitrust law has been made
10 apply to labor. Slthough 1t was an
accepted fact that Congress did not IN
tend the law TO so apply. and might even
have specifically exempted labor. but for
the fear that the Supreme Court might
construe such an affirmative provision 20
be unconstitutional"
We favor" continues the HILL the en-
actmcnt Of laws which shall restrict the
jurisdiction OF courts OF equity 20 prop
erty and properly rights, and shall 50 de-
fine property and property rights that
neither directly nor indirectly shall there
Continued ON Page p, CoI1mn s.