The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1908-11-05
Trades Unionists are the Stauncf1est
Advocates Of the Laws of the Land
and the rlost Oppressed People by
the Injunction Abuse

The sherman antitrust law has
been in effect now for quite a
number of Years. In the early
part of its life it was practically a
dead statute, as very few eases of
consequence were called for de,
cislOn under it. Some cases which
really ought to have had its pen
altics applied, at least AZ we view
the question. failed of effect. 1t
has all along been generally sup.
posed and conceded by those in
high authority that the law did
not apply to trades unions
However. some OF the more far.
seeing members of the trades UNION
movement have always entertained
Il strong doubt as to what the Su.
prcme Court would do with Il case
that was to have judgement pass
Cd upon it under this act. Some
have thought that Il similar do.
cision to the Taft Vale case would
result. and so it has come to pass
that in the very Inst ease in which
the interests of Il trade union were
to be tried under it means have
been found to make it effectively
apply to a trades union. We as
trades nnionistS are among the
StauncheSt supporters of the laws
Of our land. The Supreme Court.
the highest court Of the land, was
instituted for the purpose of con
ST. uuing the relations of legislation
to The constitution. We feel our
selves bound to submit to, the law
as constructed by men who are
appointed to Office With a View Of
their great ability as jurors.
We cannot help feeling when
bending TO this decision, however,
that Il gross injustice has been
done to our cauSe. OF course we
know that men chosen for their
ability as .jurist> have been reared
III environments which have en-.
enabled them to give due consider
alton to the interests of the worlt
ing classes. as most of them have
been corporation lawyers and their
profession has not brought them
into close touch with interests
most seriously affecting those who
have to toll. Our experience with
the Judiciary ever since Taft'S in
junction has been one Of oppres-
sion or restriction as to the limits
of the acts that a trades union
may be responsible for.
1t will lie observed that each
decision and injunction that has
been rendered and issued has been
more drastic III its oppressive
features than the previous one.
and what we may expect in the
future from the judiciary OF our
country is a matter Of speculation.
Some of us feel that there is no
limit to the oppression that the
courts would place upon the union.
Our remedy lies in our effort to
repeal or have repealed or amend
ed as soon as possible such laws as
have been placed upon the statutes
which may be construed to apply
too in.iurously to trades unions.
Trades unions in Great Britain
passed through the experience some
years ago. They Immediately took
steps to remedy the defects that
became apparent when the Taft
Vale decision was rendered. Since
that time they have sent to the
great lawmaking body of their
country members who will support
the interests of trades unions and
have since then had some of the
obnoxious laws repealed.
Can we not do this? Have we
not the same ability and brains as
the trades unions across the sea-
1t is time for Us to be up and doing
and to waste no further time. Let
us send men 90 Con gresS who will
support the interests we represent
and send enough of them to be
able to support legislation that is
not inimical to the interests of the
trades union movement. We have
an opportunity the present year.
and why not embrace it and prove
to the Old line politicians that We
Will not be mulcted at viii by those
who have no further interest in us
after we have given them the
benefit of the exercise of our