The semi-weekly messenger., 1908-04-07

Legislation That LcgaiiZed Boy
cotU or Biack List-GOmpers Dis
cusses Decisions Against Organized
LaboT-DefenGS SUyco;T.
Washington, April Tho proposed
amendments to the Sherman antitrust
bill as framed b Y the National Civic
Federation and introduced in the house
recently by Mr.. Hepburn Of Iowa, were
advocated today before a sub-commit-
tee by Hon. Seth Low of New York,
president OF the Civic Federation; Sam
uel Gompers president of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor: A. B. Garrell-
son, OF Cedar Rapids, Iowa, president
Of the Order of Railway Conductors
and Theodore Marburg OF Baltimore.
That, there is strong opposition to the
pro<osed measure was 1ntimated by a
number OF kilograms made public by
Chairman Littlefeld of the sub-corl-
mitteee from manufacturing and other
business concerns throughout the coun-
try.
The hearings will be continued
Monday, when counsel for large num-
Der of firms representing the OppOsi-
| ton will be heard
When Mr.. Low had concluded his for
nal statement he said, in reply to a
question by Mr.. Littlefielo that he WAS
not in favor of any. legislation which
! legalized a boycott or a black list.
When labor undertakes to deal with
the distribution and sale of the finish
! ed product, as it does IN the boycott,
! It seems to Us that it enters into the
field OF restraint Of trade, the same as
any trust.
! eve also think it wise and necessary
in the prblic interest to make it per-
| fectlv clear that the Sherman anti
trust law, in the future, is not to have
any bearing on the right of labor to
strike or to organize"
Mr. Low said that a numher # courts
had decided the right OF labor to
strike with or without cause.
do you understand as a matter of
| fact" asked Mr.. Littlef1eld, that a
large amount of business being done
| in this country is contrary 10 law"
almost all business involves some
| restraint of trade" replied fSr. Low.
He also said that if the attorney gen
eral attempted to prosecute all those
who are doing business in restraint
or trade he might have to indict al
most the whole nation.
| Calling attention to that pH-tion OF
| the bill which refers to a "roGcona bic
J conspiracy" against trade M. Little
| field asked Mr.. Low what reason
able conspiracy" against interstate
trade is.
IT do not know what a reasonable
conspiracy against trade fs." respond
ed Mr.. Low, land I DO not know what
a reasonable constraint Of trade is"
William J. Schiefflin, president Of the
Schiefflin Wholesale Drug House OF
New York and representing the nation
al wholesale druggists association, ar
gued in favor of legislation for relief
: of both wholesale and retail DRUGGISTS
| He claimed that a recent supreme court
decision in case, Of involving the
sale Of drugs was so sweeping that
druggists were prevented from enter
| ing into any agreement for theirsown
protection. He said that the druggists
wanted legislation to prevent retailers
/ from buying drugs unless they agreed
TO sell them at a fixed price
! Samuel Gompers. president Of tie
American Federation of Labor sound
ed a warming that the workingmen OF
the country would not wait much long
ct for the passage Of remedial legis-
lation.
Mr.. Gompers told Of the efforts of the
advocates of the laboring interests,
when the senate was considering 4he
original Sherman antitrust law, TO
have it amended to so provide that the
act shall not be construed to apply
to any arrangements, agreements or
combinations between the laborers
made with the view of lesening@ the
number of hours or increasing of wages
nor to arrangements. agreements or
combinations among persons engaged
in horticulture or agriculture made
with view of enhancing the price
of agricultural Or Horticultural prod
ucts"
Mr.. Gompers reviewed the recent
court decision adverse to organized Ia
Dor but said that these organizations
. could not be driven out OF the coun-
try.
You may drive the men and women
Of labor organizations TO secret organ
izations,' he said. you may drive
them into the dark bpt they are going