The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1910-04-14
ORGANIZATION AND LEGISLATION

protect their interests and work out their
own salvation; trade unionism must be
accompanied by state and federal legisla
ton before it can accomplish the objects
which brought it into existence, says the
Moiders' Journal.
1t is not enough today that We should
build up our organization and make them
strong, well disciplined and financially
sound, for in addition we must have laws
enacted which define our rights when or
gained, and protect us from those who
seek our destruction through legal chan
nels.
Admitting our right to organize, of
what value is this if law is passed max
ing strikes illegal, or if through some
court an order can be issued which prac-
tically makes q successful strike impos-
sible.
OF what practical benefit is the right
to buy fro manyone We please and with
draw our patronage from any dealer who
for any reason is personally distasteful
or antagonistic to us, if court can pre-
ent US from telling our friends and asso-
ciates of the reasons which led US to place
the ban of our disapproval upon some
merchant or manufacturer and requesting
then, to join hands withsus in Withholding
patronage when they believe that We are
in the right.
OF what practical value is the asser-
one can hold q property right in US or in
our labor, if our courts can command us
to cease in the exercise and enjoyment of
these rights because we may injure some
one 8 business2
Are property rights more sacred than
human rights in our countrys Seeming
ly they are, because no law exists which
prevents judge from issuing an injunc-
ton which prevents free expression and
commands us not to write, print OF speak
concerning tho reasons why we consider a
man unfair to us, and using his power to
lower our standard of living.
OF what practical benefit is the right
of organization which is now accorded us,
if the Sherman Trust Act holds us
to be illegal conspiracies in restraint of
trade, when through strike or boycott
the profits of an employer engaged in
interstate business injuredf What
can be more farcical than to tell us we
have the right to organize and to strike,
but if our strike Injuries the employer,
our organization becomes an illegal con-
spiracyf
Today we can have our union funds
attached and our members may suffer tn
loss of their homes and savings because
an employer claims the loss OF profits, or
business, because of strike, yet IN en-
n a
his workmen by reducing their wages and
no law interferes.
A case in point is the International
Paper Company, which not long ago re-
duced wages 10 per cent, and heightened
the workday from eight to twelve hours.
When the workmen organized more thor
oughly and struck to secure their former
wage rate and conditions of labor, the
trust claiming that the strike injured it's
business, sued for 100000 damages and
tied up all of the union g funds.
Regardless of what the legal theory may
be, we have learned during recent years
that our laws do not afford us the protec-
ton which our rights require, and that
several state and national laws have been
enacted which deprive us of the rights
which we firmly believe are accorded to
us by our Federal Constitution.
1t is evident that at present we require
certain legislation which will define our
rights, and place us upon such terms of
equality with our employers that fair
field is assured when labor questions are
being adjusted. We do not want any
legal or other advantage, but we must in
sist upon having every right or privilege
granted to the one side given also to the
other.
To secure this, laws must be enacted,
and so far no success has met our efforts
to have the Sherman Antitrust Act
amended so that our unions can no longer
be held to be illegal conspiracies. No
Legislation has been enacted which would
curb the courts of equity when they trans
gress their power and restrain free ex-
preston and even the right to organize
workmen, and there is nothing upon our
statute books which defines our rights as
IS done by the Trades Dispute Bill in
Great Britain.
Our movement has reached stage
where it must be supported by the pas
sage of certain legislation if it is to main.