, 1908-05-01


third Is the measure of control which
should be exercised over labor unions
In relation to commerce between the
states.
Concerning the use of injunctions in
connection with labor disputes ne
says:
They are blind who fall to realize
the extreme bitterness caused among
large bodies oil worthy citizens by the
use that has been repeatedly made Of
the power Of the injunction in labor
disputes. Those in whose judgment
we have most right to trust are OF
opinion hat while most of the com
plant against the use Of the injunc-
ton is unwarranted, yet that ii Is I'M
q~uestionably true that in a number of
cases this power has been used to
the grave injury of rights of laborins
men,, / ask that ii be limited IN some
way as that | have already pointed
out in my previous messages, for the
very reason that | do not wish to see
an embittered effort made to destroy
1t, It is unwise stubbornly to refuse
to provide against a repetluon of the
abuses which have caused the present
unrest"
No one can question the wisdom of
this counsel, for it would be difficult
to conceive anything more de~plorable
than the development OF a class spirit
and the consequent class antagonism
which might grow out of a refusal by
congress to provide appropriate legis-
lation to prevent what a large percent
age of the people look upon as an
ABUSE of the power of the courts to
restrain men In the exercise of what
they fully believe to be their unalien-
able rights. How far congress should
go in restricting the use of injunctions
Is a matter for the most careful consid-
| Grafton by the ablest members of that
| body, but the public will appreciate
that the president is right in urging
that action of some kind be taken.
The demand for appropriate legisla-
T ton comforting upon the executive
branch of the national government adj
equate power to regulate the great cor
porations engaged in interstate COM
MERGE has found such emphatic eX-
preston in all parts of the country
that mgr IAN hardly be blind to
its Importance. But is seems to be
one of those great problems which
members of congress shrink from con-
sidering because of their magnitude.
Yet, while recognizing that 1t may
~. ,S -thlA 10 .aAh In M a &c rt
a complete solution, the president
would have congress take at least the
initial step. instead of allowing mat
ters to drift upon an uncertain and
dangerous course. He does not fear to
declare his views. and congress SHOULD
not hesitate to follow where he leads.
After declaring himself so emphatic,
ally In favor of limiting the employ
ment of injunction proceedings in con.
nection with labor disputes, the presi-
dent doesnot shrink from defining with
equal c%learness his position relative
to the control which should be exer-
cised over labor organizations so far
as the power to do so is intrusted to
the federal government. He recos,
nizes clearly the right of laboring men
to organize and maintain unions, but
he would not permit such organiza-
tons to interfere with the freedom of
contract and trade which is as sacred
a right as that of laboring men to
organize.
Knowing this to be his attitude to-
ward this great question, n is not
surprise to find in the message the
following statement of his views:
But when labor undertakes in n
wrongful manne to prevent the dis
tribution and sale of the products of
labor, as by certain forms of the boy
colt, 1t has left the field of production
and its action may plainly be in re-
straint of interstate trade and must
| necessarily be subject to inquiry, ex-
actly as in the case of any other COM
bination for the same purpose, so as
to determine whether such action is
contrary TO sound public policy.
The heartiest encouragement
should be given to wage workers to
| form labor unions and to enter into
agreement Win tnef employers, II
their right to strike so long as they
act ~peaceably, must be preserved. But
we should sanction neither a boycott
nor a blacklist which would be illegal
at common law"
Whatever congress may do in re,
gard to these and other matters of
great interest presented by the presi-
dent, the public will not be left in
doubt respecting; his position and his
views. He has in a sense put upon
congress all responsibility for any
failure or neglect to do its full duty.
He has shown himself in his character
as a great leader, able to perceive
what the country needs and fearless in
advocating the provision which ought
to be maie.-Denver Republican.