The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-06-14
DENIES SURRENDER
TO LABOR'S DEMANDS
Chairman Webb Says Clayton
Bill Only Lcgalizes Forma-
ton Of Unions.
DOESN'T BAR PROSECUTION
Tie Points Out That Secondary
Boycott Is Not Even
Authorized.
DOESN'T BAR PROSECUTION

w,sutSGroS, June 13.--Representative
webb Of North Carolina. chairman OF the
House Committee on the Judiciary, made
a statement to-day In which he entered
into An explanation OF the labor provisions
OF the clay ton antitrust bill. He was
prompted to issue the statement because
n, charges that the Administration has
surrendered to iabor's demands, while
others claim that labor has received moth
.nr in the bill" Mr.. Webb Insists that
both Of these contentious are erroneous.
Chairman Webb takes the stand that
sec,Ion OF the bill merely iegalizes the
formation and existence OF labor unions
and volunteer associations OF farms. Sec
ton Is, which limits the power Of the
Federal courts In issuing injunctions In
labor disputes. makes legal in Mr.. Webb's
optnion certain acts. such as the strike
and the primary boycott, that have been
sanctioned by the courts.
"sectlon T." Chairman Webb said, will
nrotect the unions from dissolution under
the antitrust laws. but does not protect
them from penalties for violating the
criminal law, We have only written In
this section the consensus OF the judg-
ments at the best Federal courts.
NO man denies the right OF laborers
and farmers TO organize among them
selves for mutual help without profit and
without capital stock and to carry out
the legitimate objects OF their organiza-
tons.
section is specifies what labor organ
nations may do and not subject them
selves 10 the civil or criminal law. Con-
siderable Juror has been raised over this
10
matter OF fact the things authorized In
this section are not Illegal In the courts.
This section provides that either party
10 a labor dispute may terminate the re-
latou OF employment that Is, that both
the employee and employer may terminate
their relations at will without being
subject TO an Injunction suit. The Ia
borer may cease to work for his employer
Ne may recommend. advise or persuade
others to do 50 and may attend at a
house or place for the purpose OF peace
ably obtaining or oOmmun ioating informs-
ton he may peiceably persuade any per-
son to work or to quit work he may
cease TO pstronize n party TO the labor
dispute, and he may recommend that
others by peaceful means do the same
The employer may cease TO patrontze the
employee or he may cease to employ any
party to the dispute; labor may pay or
In the labor dispute; the laboring mer
may peace bly, assemble at any place In
lawful manner and for lawful purpose
There IL nothing revolutionary or
radical about airy of the provisions in thi;
section. Boycotting ls legal in all the
courts. The right to quit work Is MOI
denied to any man. The right to peaceabl,
assemble and discuss grievances Is a con-
stItutional right.
ut will be noted that what IN known
40 tho secondary boycott is not author.
lied or iegalized. There is not a pro-
vision In the bill which can be tortured
into meaning that violence. coercion or
intimidation are authorized or counte'
nanced."
Mr., Webb pointed out that labor asked
for an amendment specifically declaring
that the antitrust laws 'shall not apply
10 labor unions This amendment, hs
points out, was refused. The acceptance
OF this amendment would have amounted
20 placing labor organic tons beyond the
pale Of the antitrust laws entirely, which
neither the President nor the members
OF the judiciary Committee would agree
To-"