The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1912-03-23
COURTS HAMPER SOCIAL JUSTICE.

COURTS HAMPER SOCIAL JUSTICE.
no state shall make any law imparing the
oblig cations OF contracts.
Around this provision of the Federal constitu-
ton there has been woven by the courts in spider
fashion net work of decisions affecting the rea-
tons Of employers and employees that have
thoroughly enmeshed the wage in their
judicial fabric and have unJustly obstructed him in
his desire to establish social JUSTICE to provide for
his defense, promote his economic welfare, and to
secure the blessings of the fullest measure of in
dustral liberty for himself and the members of his
class who shall follow him.
When the Supreme Court of the United States
declared unconstitutional the provision of the Erd
man Act which sought to prevent railroad COM
panies from discriminating against members of
unions acting arbiters under the terms of an
act, the aim of which to promote and secure
industrial peace in interstate commerce. it found
excuse for it's decision in the provision Of the Fed
cra constitution quoted above.
The court held that an employer had the right
to dispense with the services of an employe for
any reason. for reason and for the reason that
he was member of labor organization 1t also
declared that an empoye had the right to work for
any employer, and to leave his employment for any
reason, for and for the that others
than members of labor organizations employed
This conclusion rather tckled the ears of the
socalled fair minded people Of the country, as it
certainly pleased that species of employers who
glory III making examples OF Worlmen possessed
with sufficient courage to protest against objec
tionable conditions of employment that may sur
round them.
There can be equitable contract of employ
ment between a large corporation and an individual
workman. One owns the job and the TOOLS makes
the rules and regulations, and names all the con-
dltions OF employment, including wages and hours
The other has no alternative but to accept the en-
pIoyer terms starve and this of course means
that his family must starve with him.
workman compelled to labor under such in
equitable terms becomes but mere abiect slave
and lives under more inhuman conditions of serf-
dom than did the chattel who, because of his CON-
mercia value to his MASTER was at least well fed
and properly sheltered.
Mr. Hill employs repairers on his railroad
at a wage of 81 35 for twelve hour day and for
800 days Ill the year. These mighty important
laborers Upon their care and watchfuness de-
ponds the safety of the travelling public If one
of these laborers believes he should be better paid
what chance does he stand to reach Mr. Hill to
state his grievance?
II ne can muster sufficient courage he must first
make his complaint known to his Immediate su-
perlor who, if disposed sends it up through a.
score OF officials. If personal feeling, temper
mental differences and such, do not interfere with
Its progress in due time it may reach the office of
the general manager where it runs the gauntlet of
two three clerks before it arrives at the desk of
that important parsonage.
The grievance of the underpaid individual
workman II more important matters are not in it's
way, may here be treated, if treated at ALL in the
midst of luxurious SURROUNDINGS
ne little shack OF the workman, his half fed
and 1ll-clad family, his long hours of labor. the
hazard OF his occupation, his low wage, all have
curtain drawn before them in the richly furnished
Office or the high mogul of railroad company upon
whose economical management depends his posi-
ton for 1t is ever his chief duty to see that the
regular quarterly dividends are paid promptly and
without fail A
When an American court holds law invalid
that mas Tor its purpose the protection of worknen
IN their lawful right to seek life liberty and hap
P1ness, and when it arrives at it's decision bv an
Phcat'on OF provision of the constitution that s.
was never intended should apply, it weakens it's
own position and compes honest and thoughtful
men to lose confidence in it's ability to deal ont
exact justice. N'"' o''
The whole judicial program of recent Years b.s
encouraged labor to depend upon force to secure
social justice rather than to look for relief throuoh