The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-06-27
LABoR's MISTAKEN GRIEVANCE.

President TNaft's contention, which
congress has sustained, that the labor
unions under existing conditions should
not be exempted from the operations
of the Sherman antitrust law, ought
TO strike all unprecedented observers as
being an eminently proper one. 1t ap-
pears to have stirred up animosity to
the president from various Of the la
Dor organizations of the country, or
their leaders. But the likelihood is that
this auimosity will die away as soon as
there is a more general and better un-
derstanding on the part of every one,
including the leaders Of the labor I'M
ions, as to the soundness and force.
fulness of the objections raised by Pres
ident Taft to this measure.
These are stated in a telegram which
President Taft sent to w. C. Carter.
president of the Brotherhood of Loco
motive Firernen and Enginemen. And
for some reason or other there has not
been general circulation of this Taft
telegram in this section of the country
anyhow. Mr.. Carter wired the presi-
dent that the press reports indicate
that you favor using the peoples
money to prosecute labor in their ef-
lotus 10 D6lL6E COhAltIOuo anu MI =
Carter protested against this policy in
the name of the organization of which
he is at the head. To this telegram
President Taft replied:
Your dispatch received in which you
say the press reports indicate that I
favor using the peoples money to
prosecute labor IN their efforts to bet
ter conditions, and you protest against
such a policy. 1 presume you refer to
the proposition now before congress
that money appropriated for the fiscal
year 1911 for enforcement of antitrust
laws and acts to regulate commerce
shall no part of it be expended in the
Irosec,ui of conspiracies in the ma
ture of boycotts to increase wages,
shorten hours, or better the condition
of labor.
1.-THE supreme court has decided that
such a boycott is a violation of the
Sherman antitrust law and this pro-
posal is an attempt to withhold the
means of prosecuting that law when
it is violated by a particular class
thus to be made privileged. 1 am en-
tirely opposed to such class legislation.
If it were proposed to amend the lang
uage of the Sherman antitrust law
itself so as to narrow it's scope. that
would present a proper question for
consideration. but so long as the pres
ent antitrust law remains upon the
statute books an attempt to modify its
enforcement so as to render immune
any particular class of citizens, rich or
Loor, employers or employees, is impro-
per legislation and in my Judgment
| ought to be opposed by your brother
| hood.
The laboring man and the trades
unionist, if I understand him. asks
only equality before the law Glass
Legislation and unequal privileges.
though expressly in his favor, will in
the end work no benefit to him or to
society,"
| These kilograms were exchanged be-
fore the house of representatives heed
ed the suggestion of President Taft and
defeated the measure to exempt the Ia
Dor unions from the antitrust law. But
| the one written by President Taft is
| the only definite statement he has made
outlining his views on this subject.
They appear to be most just and equi-
table. Nor need there be any fear on
| the part of LABOR unions that any mon
| eys of the government will be used
| promisc~ously to thwart any lawful and
| reasonable steps that they may take to
conduct their affairs for the better
ment of the conditions surrounding
laboring men. 1t is only when the la
Dor unions become violators of the