The Washington times., 1912-11-05
LABOR CONSIDERS
new INJUNCTION
RULE A VICTORY
Supreme Courts Order a
Step Forward, Declares
Secretary Morrison.

While organized labor will continue
fighting for legislation with reference
to the Limitation of inJunctions In labor
disputes, 1t looks on the promulgation
by the Supreme Court yesterday OF a
new rule with reference to the Issue OF
injunctions and temporary restraining
orders by the equity courts as a distinct
step forward.
To a large extent, 1t is the feeling OF
the labor officials that the Supreme
Court OF the United States has recog-
nized their contention that there have
been serious abuses in the issue of in
functions, and that these abuses should
be curbed. The court has not done all
that organized labor would like to see
done, but the labor officials believe n
long step forward has been taken, and
that abuses will be less frequent.
Moreover, aside from the purely legal
side Of the matter, labor officials feel
that a moral victory of Importance has
been won by this reform In judicial
procedure. That this moral victory will
lead to further improvement in the sit
uation with reference to use and abuse
of the injunction is their belief.
Morrison Is Pleased.
President Gompers, of the American
Federation of Labor, was out OF the
who Is here. when asked for a state
ment, said:
II am pleased with the published
statement in regard to the rule on
injunctions issued by the Supreme Court
of the United States. The fact that
the Supreme Court. on its own motion,
has formulated IA rule eliminating some
very Objectionable features in the is
t..I,, tpat x..hfn oh
labor organizations have been protest.
ing. should make it patent to the minds
Of the public that the Supreme Court
recognized them as abuses, and for
that reason has issued a rule which
Will prevent these abuses in the future.
The contention OF labor organiza-
tions Is that the injunCtions issued we're
without authority of law. The action
of the Supreme Court Is proof posi-
tive that the contention of the labor
organizations Is well founded. 1t Is
a step IN advance, and should material
ly assist in securing the passage of
the Clayton anti-in junction bill which
passed the House at the last session
and is now awaiting action by the
Senate"
Step Forward for Labor.
Jackson II. Ralston. counsel for the
American Federation of Labor. cx-
as a step in advance. He said
THE new rule cmhodies several Of
the leading contentious Of the labor
organizations. The labor organization
have protested against the issue Of In
functions against vague statements OF
frreparable damage. The Supreme Court
IN the new rule requires that specific
showing shall be made as to the al
legged irreparable. damage That is a
big stpD forward for labor
"a second important point IL that. II
temporary restraining order Is issucl
without notice. the matter is returnable
In ten days and must then be heard.
The defense can come in and, by giving
two days notice, force an immediate
hearing. Thus restraining order
might be Issued ana dissolved after
hearing inside OF three days. instead
of dragging along for weeks and
months as has sometimes been the
case in the past.
Moral Effect Important.
I'm respect to speedy hearing and the
exactness of the compialnant's showing
required, there Is no doubt the cause OF
labor has gained heavily. The moral
effect too. Is most important. The issue
of the new rule by the Supreme Court
tends to show the justice of the posi-
tion taken by the labor organizations.
1t Is not believed the new rule will
have any bearing on the contempt pro-
ceedings started in Justice Wrights =
court for violation bv Messrs Gompers
Mitchell, and Morrison OF the injunction
In the Bucks Stove and Rapge Com
pany case. To some extent. however,
the restrictions put on injunctlons by
the Supreme Court may be looked on as
rejecting the views OF the court on the
merits OF. the practice or miscellaneous
welding of the injunction club in labor