The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1911-04-21

all MADE appeals for the Senate Bill
"a. Mr.. Drum created a laugh by
stating that he wanted it understood
by the committee that there are some
labor men here who are speaking for
themselves and are not represented by
Socialists
John Hogan. Bird vice-president of
the State Federation of Labor asked
why it was, if the adherents repre-
scented only per cent Of the working
people, as claimed by the opposition,
that such fear was felt, as evidenced
by the crowd at the hearing. He
wanted to know what harm the per
cent might do, if Granted the demands
outlined in their bill.
The last speaker on this side was
Senator Spellacy, who championed the
cause of his own bill, which permits
picketing, but does not include the
boycott or other features of Senate
Bill "a.
Attorney Walter S. Schultz, repre-
senting the Employers association Of
Hartford and the Interstate Contrac-
tors and Builders association, opened
the arguments for the opposition to
the picketing and boycotting meas
ures. He said that he would make no
appeal to animosity and prejudice and
was sorry that the other side had done
so. He said that the present statute
1896, is perfectly fair, and when last
amended President Donahue declared
himself satisfied with it. Mr.. Dona,
hue Immediately took exception to At
tOrney Schutz's remark.
Mr. Schultz bitterly assailed the boy
cotting andIpicketing bills. He de
risively referred to the term peaceful
picketing' contained in the measures.
THE only possible resemblance be-
tween the words picketing and peace
full he declared, lis that they both
begin with a 'p.' Otherwise they
are absolutely antagonistic and it is
impossible to combine them.
mo picketing is ever peacefully con-
Quoted" he declared. adding that he
had personal knowledge of a number
of strikes and in no case had the pick
citing been peacefully conducted. Chal-
lenged by Senator Spellacy, he admit
ted that his knowledge was confined
to four strikes. Mr.. Spellacy then as
serted that Mr.. Schultz had attempted
to obtain an injunction In one of the
strikes on the ground that the picket
ing was not peacefully conducted, and
the court finding to the contrary. had
refused the injunction. Mr.. Schultz
and Mr.. Spellacy then became invOlv-
ed i'll hot dispute about the strike
now in progress in Hartford, and the
manner in which it is being conduct
ed.
Attorney Ralph Q. wells was the
next speaker. He stated that he
wanted it distinctly understood that
he was not representing the State
Business Mems association. for which
he had appeared at another hearing
but represented the Dry Goods asso-
citation of Hartford a separate and
distinct body.
Mr.. Wells then said that he would
not treat of Senate Bill "a. which, he
declared is too wild and too absurd
to merit serious consideration, but
would confine his discussion to the
ILL l., ;1l-
citing.
Mr.. Spellacy, he asserted wants a
bill declarative Of the common law.
What is the common law? Mr. Wells
then reviewed the question at length,
supporting his Views with quotations
from many important judicial deci-
.sions, and arguing that it is impos-
sible to reduce anything so broad, so
basic as the common law, to the linn
it's of a single statute, in such a way
as to apply it fairly in every case that
might arise. If the committee is will
ing to undertake such monumental
task. he said, he is sure that his eli
ents are willing; but it seems beyond
the bounds of reason that the commit
tee will attempt it.
He asserted that the most peaceful,
the most lawful and constitutional of
become very distinct threats under
certain conditions. He told of a
court trial, where an important States
witness was Immediately ''shut-up'
tight as a trap, because one of the
spectators made gesture of throat
cutting.
Suppose there is strike said Mr..
Wells, land a girl possessed Of those
feminine characteristic which we ad-
mire is on her way to work. Along
comes q great big man ana says to
her, Please little girl. don't work in
that shop again may not a. threat
and very distinct one be conveyed
in that manner?''
AS to peaceful picketing', Mr. Wells
declared that one Of the highest courts
in the country has declared that there
is no such thing, any more than there
is legal lynching: but that picketing
is of necessity a warlike hostile, CO.
ercive and intimidating act.
Attorney James A. Emery of WASH
ington, D. c., reviewed the English
Trade Dispute bill. as he had done
at the previous hearing. He laid a
copy of the English measure before
the committee. He declared that it
is possible for Parliament in England
to pass any measure it pleases, as
there is no written constitution; but
that in this country: Trades Dispute
act similar to the British one would
be unconstitutional.
He said that the act encouraged |
the breaking of contracts, contrary to
the policy of all civilized governments
in sustaining contracts. He was in
the midst of his arguments when Sen |
ator Judson adjourned the hearing UNI
til Thursday, April q.
Among the big delegation of manu-
facturers and business men present |
at the hearing in opposition to the |
may be mentioned the fol- /
lowing from idgeport-Charles H.
Armstrong, Armstrong Manufacturing
Co.: n. P. Flynn, Ashcroft Mfg Co.:
W. R. Webster Bridgeport Brass Co. +;
R. D. Whipple, Deoxidized Bronze Co.:
W. H. Brautigan. Motor Co.; A III.
Bullard, Billiard Machine Tool Co.;
K1emens Kloefkorn. Acme Shear Co ::
II. 6. Smith, Farist Steel CO.; Joseph
c. Ludlam International Silver Co;
A. H. Wilson, Wilson Machine Co.;
E. f. Russell, Locomobile Co.; r. F.
Parsons, Parsons Foundry; Andrew
Croft, Salts Textile Co.; Newton II.
Hoyt, Singer Sewing Machine Co.
Jerome circuit, Union Metallic Cart
ridge Co.; Robert w. Higgins, Whiting
Co.; NJ. f. Brewster
Greene, Manufacturers association
A large number of local labor men
were also present at the hearing in
GLIDING Jasper McLevy, Pr sident of
the Central Labor Union and num-
Der of representatives of the various
loacls.