The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1908-03-11

smartlng under the recent decision
Of the supreme court OF the United
States. which held that labor unions
were amenable to the Sherman anti
trust law, the Central Federated union
Of New York has taken steps to form
an independent labor party under the
guidance OF the American Federation
OF Labor for the purpose Of starting a
campaign against arbitrary government
by the courts
The delegates Of the Central FEEDER
ated union were aroused to action BY
the decision In the case OF Loewe &
Co. hatters of Danbury. Conn.,. against
the United Hatters' union and the
American Federation OF Labor, In
which 1t was held labor unions became
combinations in restraint OF trade when
they attempted to interfere with the
business OF firm or corporation whose
business extended into several states.
IN substance the decision declared that
in such case where the union en-
forced boycott the boycotted firm
could collect damages under the anti
trust clause OF the Sherman law. The
decision was given on Feb. and was
the third severe blow dealt to the
unions by the supreme court within a
few weeks.
During the meeting there was an ex-
tended discussion of the recent labor
decisions OF the supreme court and the
course that organized labor would take
In consequence Of those decisions
Though there was unanimity OF opln.
ion that something must be done, and
quickly done, by the unions OF labor,
final action upon plan Of procedure
was postponed.
The subject came before the body in
the form Of resolution presented by
the general executive committee. In a
lengthy preamble to the resolution at
tention was called to the recent deci-
sions rendered by the supreme court
and other courts antagonistic to the
aims and methods Of union labor One
Of the whereases declared that "such
decisions and rulings win mean the
eventual destruction Of the rights OF
free men TO combine or confer and act
Jointly In and for their own interests,
either individually or collectively" Be
Ileying that the trades union movement
of this country lis facing a crisis the
executive committee proposed adoption
Of the following;
Resolved BY the Central Federated
Union Of Greater New York and vicinity
in convention assembled this the 9Th day
Of February. 1905, to urge upon the Amer
lean Federation OF Labor the issuance of
call for a conference Of all trades unions
at once. to be held In centrally located
city of the United States for the purpose
Of discussing the courts attacks upon
trades unions and for the further purpose
Of devising ways and means for the inn
mediate organization OF an independent
political trades union movement through
out the country.
Resolved That while the interests COM
bined against the trades unions are In
trenched in positions where they can use
the legislative bodies and the courts 70 the
detrlnent OF the trades union movement
that Is, boycotting the trades unions--the
trades unions bereft Of the economic pow
CIR OF the boycott should jointly enact
jealous political boycott thus meeting the
enemies Of unionism on their own ground.
intent upon wrestling their powers from
them by and through an absolutely inde-
pendent political movement organized by
and for the trades unions
Resolved. That copy OF these resolue
tons be forwarded 10 the American Fed
GRAFTON OF Labor ard 70 every trades union
throughout the United States, with the re-
quest to report action taken thereon to his /
h0dy