The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-06-12

WAsHtN0roN, June 11.-Organized labor
has again asserted itself In the House OF
Representatives. This time the power OF
the American Federation OF Labor Is evil
depced in an amendment to the sundry
civil appropriation bill providing that no
part of 100000 voted to the Depart
ment of Justice for the enforcement Of the
antitrust laws shall be used for the
prosecution OF any labor union or farmers
organization.
This is the prohibition that was written
into the sundry civil bill last year by Con-
gress and which was accepted by Presi-
dent Wilson with seeming reluctance.
The significant fact about this reap
pearance Of the exemption clause In the
annual appropriation bill is that the Pres
ident will now be sauarely confronted
with the issue OF making a privileged
class In the enforcement Of the Sherman
law. The situation Is not without It's
humorous side.
The Wilson Administration has been
diligently seeking for weeks to avoid a
clean cut issue on this question In framing
the antitrust programme. and II had sue
ceeded ct least partially through indors-
Ing provisions that are susceptible of dif-
ferent interpretations.
pttSeNhS1s
The labor unions have contended that
the Tabor sections OF the new antitrust
bill exempt them from prosecution; the
Administration says they do not. and now
along comes the same old Issue IN an a.
preparation bill 30 clearly worded that
there will be no opportunity for hair
splitting. The situation will be all the
more embarrassing for the President be-
cause of the apologize memorandum
-. 4. 4 -.
sundry civil bill last year with a si.iilar
labor union exemption. At that time he
said:
have signed this because do so
without in fact limiting the operation
OF justice to prosecute violations OF
law by whomsoever committed.
The President explained that other
funds besides the money carried In the
appropriation bill would be available. He
added as a further excuse for signing
the bill that the Government would be
embarrassed IL this big appropriation
measure were held UP longer.
President Taft had vetoed the same
bill on the last day of his administra-
lion on the ground that the exemption
clause was class legislation OF the most
vicious sort. This year President Wilson
will be confronted with the same problems
except that the bill will not have been
The Presidents friends had hoped that
the American Federation OF Labor after
II had received substantial concessions
in the anti-trus, bills would not seek
to cause further embarrassment At this
session. Apparently. though. Mr.. Com
, pers and the other leaders do not intend
to let a chance go by. and the Admin
| istration. having yielded once. will And
Itself facing more burdensome demands
Reason for the Insertion.
The exemption clause" was inserted
In this years appropriation bill by the
| House Committee on Appropriations. This
action was taken. il was said. because OF
the certainty that its omission would re-
suit In an immediate effort on the part
Of labor agitators and professional
friends of the farmer In Congress &c
force II into. the measure by amend
| ment.
Leaders of both parties in Congress.
| and members OF the committee who a
heart oppose the clause acknowledged
with frankness that there would be M
| hope Of passing the bill without the ob
| jectionable exemption.
| Chairman Fitzgerald, who Is unfriendl,
| to the provisos. said:
'.The committee In Introducing this bill
| with the exemption pfovisos. therein foi
| lowing exactly the language OF the present
law. Is simply acting In line with VIVA
| II knows must be the result eventual,
when the measure comes up for con
slderation and passage"
President Wilson was questioned to-da,
regarding the provisos. He explained tina
he did not even know the exemption pro
visos were In the bill
George Carroll Todd. assistant TO tn
Attorney General. appeared before th'
Appropriations Committee and gave testi
mony which illustrated imprsssively TN
effect OF the legislation on the work b!
the Department OF Justice. Here 10
part OF his testimony.
THE Chairman. You do not recommend
that we carry the two provisos attached
to this appropriation last year. one pro
hibiting the use of this money In the pros
ecution Of any organisation or agreemen
having In view the increasing OF wages