The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1913-12-06

| work in the oomplainants' mines The
eomplainants paid no attention To
these communications. In fact, some OF
| them We're returned To the represent
atives of the employees involved, un-
opened The good offices OF the Gov
ernor of this state in his endeavor to
bring the strike TO an end, were re-
jccted by the compliments on at least
two occasions Both of such offers
We're accepted by the strikers The
Federal government also attempted &c
intervene i'm the strike. and the COM
plainants respectfully but firmly re-
used To accept the mediation of the
representatives of the Federal govern
ment although the defendants eN-
pressed WILLINGNESS to settle the
matter by arbitration.
The complainants have taken a posi-
tior not merely To the effect that they
will not recognize the Western FEEDER
alton of Miners, but that no emploge
can return 10 work without giving up
his membership in that organization.
II is evident that such a position as
sumed by the compldiuants was bound
To result i'm feeling of bitterness. on
the part of the respondents. would
be unfa.thful in my duty as JUDGE
unless | pointed out this act, SO far
as IT should have a bearing upon the
question of punishment in this case
Opposite Moral Codes.
Now men may differ in regard u
their opinions on the issues involved
in the controversy out OF which this
whole case grows, but one thing mus,
be conceded that the respondents and
the other men on strike are engaged
in a heroic struggle for the mere right
to retain their membership IN labor
organization The true inwardness a:
the struggle can be summed up By
saying ii is history of a set deliber-
ate and relentless purpose on the part
OF the Mining Companies to crush out
the spirit of organization among their
employees met by self sacrificing and
determined devotion to unionism on the
part of the strikers. 1t is easy to un.
derstand. then, how d striker regards
any man who works during such a
struggle as their economic enemy. Moth
ing has been done 10y the complainants
20 COnCiliate these strikers who in the
past had been their loval and efficient
employees. Everything has been done
10 increase their bitterness and hos
tihty. Ordinarily they were peace
able and law-abiding. Their work In
the mine requires al least average in
telligence and steadiness and courage
If a high order. According TO the NOR
al code Of the respondents, one who
goes TO work during a strike is a
traitor 70 their cause. According to the
complainants, such man is a hero To
be admired and protected. We can
thus see how the class interest of each
of the parties To this cause inspires
and develops its own moral code / am
stripping this situation bare so tina
everyone will understand how difficult
is the administration of law during
great Industrial controversy, which
raises such serious fun lamental issues
70 the mere surface thinker these
matters are unimrortant. but To the
serious student Of our Industrial prob
lens they raise grave questions that
cannot he settled without mutual for
bearance and Cancellation.
Sentence is Suspended.
But notwithstanding the belief of the
respondents in the Justice OF their
cause. ii must still be remembered thar
no man or group of men can be a law
unto himself or themselves. The law
is simply the concrete expression of
those rules that experience mas taught
10 De for the best interests of all the
people.
There is no rule of law better set
tied than this: That every man has
a right under the law. as between him
self and his fellows, To full f.ccdom NJ
disposing or his own lalor and his
own capital al his own will. II fol
lows that every pcrso-l is subject to tho
corrclative duty arising therefrom and
is prohibited from any obstruction to
the fullest eXelcise Of this right. which
can be made compatible with the exer-
else Of similar rights by others.
The Supreme Court % this state has
sal /. "The highways and public streets
must be free 10 all purposes Of trade,
commerce and labor The law pro-
tects thc seller. the merchant tie
manufacturer and the laborer in tn,
right to walk the streets unmolested.
Beck v Transfers Protective Union
IFS Mich. $50.
! am still OF the opinion. however.
that the men who are on strike i'm this
controversy. II they once thoroughly
understand the law. will endeavor to
cheerfullv obey il. I DO not believe
that there is any desire upon their
rart to commit acts that involve them
in contempt of tki. Court. They
say in their answer that they have en-
deavorad 10 live up To the terms 81
,ho Injunction They are permitted IN
peaceably assemble and to reaceably
parade and to propagate their cause
by peaceable persuasion.
The best interests Of tho lahorins
class as well as of the capitalists rests
I'm cheerful acquies cence in the or
dors and DEGREES Of our Courts.
Because 7 believe that these men