The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-21
ORGANIZED LABOR
FAILS IN ITS DUTY
President of National Manufac-
turers' Association Discusses
Present Tendencies.
LAW DEFIANTLY VIOLATED
He Condemns Representatives
and Senators Who Stoop for
Recent Legislation.
LAW DEFIANTLY VIOLATED

Detroit. May 2o-Charging that or
ganized labor has failed to clear it
self OF the stains which violence and
iawlessness cast upon it," John Kirby
Jr, of Dayton. o., president of the
National Association OF Manufacturers.
In his annual report to-day, dwelt on
present industrial legislative ten
denotes and their effects on manufac-
turers and employees. He referred in
detail to the attitude of manufac-
turers toward the tarin. He said in
part:
Conspicuous in the momentous
events of recent years that have trans
PRED in the field OF American indus.
try is the tragedy OF Los Angeles and
the drama of Indianapolis AS a re-
ward to the principal accomplices in
this conspiracy, they have one after
another. through the power of tho in
vineioie inner circle Of the An,sri
can Federation of Labor been re-
elected to their respective Offices. Point
to me one single labor leader or dele
gate who has arisen and Indignantly
demanded that such tye Of leadersship
be forever barred from the admins
lratlon or union affairs.
During recent years we have wit.
messed the prosecution and conviction
of many business men under the Sher-
man antitrust Law for seeking In some
way to protect their business against
ruthless competition and dominant
methods of the labor trust. If they
have violated the law we have no
complaint to offer for the penalties
which they may be called upon to pay.
but We do protest against the free and
unmolested manner in which the labor
trust defantly continues TO violate the
same law.
Low I'm Scale OF Duty.
we are justified in our condemna-
ton of Representatives and Senators
In Congress. who, in the name OF po-
lltical expediency. stoop SO low In the
scale of public duty as 10 vote for
such legislation as the Clayton anti
injunction and contempt bills passed
in the lower House of the Sixty second
Congress. and which only escaped pas
sage In the Senate by a hairs breadth.
There are men now acting In the
capacity OF representatives of the peo-
pie, who. under the cowardly pretcnse
of political expedience, have been will
ing to violate their oath Of office.
And should not we gaze with hor-
rified Amusement upon the spectacle
presented TO us in the closing days
of the last Congress. when both House
and Senate passed tho sundry civil
appropriation bill. containing provision
that no funds appropriated for the use
of the Department of Justice In prose-
cutting violators Of the Sherman act
should be used for the purpose of pros
ecuting these defiant combinations-a
bill which William Howard Taft
promptly vetoed? The same bill is
pending again. having promptly pass
ed in the House in the special session.
And this is the way the party in
power starts out to make good It's
boasted slogan equal rights for all,
special privileges TO none"
Referring to the Industrial Workers
of the World as being supplemental
to the American Federation OF Labor,
Mr. Kirby said:
Against these forces OF evil, do
nestle and alien, we must stand flint
like In our resolve that our govern
ment is and must be government of
law"
IF. as result OF radical and ILL
advised tariff legislation. we suffer
business depression and the loss OF OPP
portunity TO labor" he said in con-
clusion. the aftermath. like in the
recent floods, will plainly be visible.
and the remedy sharp and decisive.
But this is not the case with respect
to the insidious class legislation which
Is creeping upon us. Experience
teaches that once such legislation is
incorporated in statute law 1t is writ
ten there TO stay"
Protest Sent TO Wilson.
n