The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-05-27
The President's Attitude.

/
the Democratic party.
The President. Attitude.
President Wilson. on the other hand,
takes the stand that the amendment he
has approved will not preclude the pros
ecution of labor unions for acts in vio-
lation of the antitrust laws.
His supporters in the House, who
had aided in drafting the amendment.
have advised him that the language TO
be added to the Clayton bin will merely
clarity that section which deals with
labor organizations and that It will not
in fact exempt them from prosecution.
The Administrations defence is not.
however very convincing in the face OF
the complete satisfaction that now pre-
walls in the labor camp. At best
grave question OF doubt seems to be
raised by the amendment which Is to
be added To the first paragraph of sec
ton 7 of the Clayton bill. That para
graph reads
That nothing contained In the
antitrust laws shall be construed TO
forbid the existence and operation of
fraternal labor, consumers. agricul-
tural or horticultural organizations.
orders or associations operating under
the lodge system. instituted for the
purpose of mutual help and not hav-
ing capital stock or conducted for
profit or TO forbid or restrain indi-
yidual members OF such orders or as
socations from carrying out the
legitimate objects of such associa-
tons"
The Anne ndment.
Through the acceptance OF the amend
ment the following has been added:
AMOR shall such organizations. Or
ders or associations or the members
thereof be held or construed illegal
combinations or conspiracies In re-
straint OF trade under the antitrust
law
1t Ia believed here that the Wilson Ad-
ministration by its action has laid itself
open TO all the criticism which may arise
from class legislation. The belief is that
eventually the Administration will have
10 answer the charge of exemptng a
certain class from the operation of n law
OF the land.
!, acterize the Presidents action AZ his
first conspicuous surrender to the exgen-
. cies of politics
p The argument which was used with tell
I Ing effect was that unless the Democrats
gave the unions what they wanted there
= would be "A tremendous number OF casual
ties among the Democratic candidates In
/ | the elections this fall. The ranks of those
o demanding the exemption was increased by
members from agricultural districts who
, desired the exemption for farmers organi-
o cations.
The first concession to the unions was
II | made by the Administration when the
p antitrust bill was introduced early In
April with the section I quoted above
This section. II was contended. gave the
q unions a status in law that they had never
u enjoyed before. but did not prevent prose
cutlons for acts described by the bill a,
, illegal
" Having got a taste. the labor leaders
wanted bite. They entered upon an ag'
gressiye fight for further changes In the
Ia Clayton bill which would accomplish the
. full exemption. Seventeen OF the repre-
sentatives OF labor headed by Representa-
tive Lewis OF Maryland. chairman OF the
l. House Committee on Labor, undertook Il
spread the propaganda In favor OF tn,
further amendment OF the Clayton bill.
The campaign for this purpose came t.
n head yesterday when the labor leader,
and their supporters decided to call
caucus of the House Democrats and writ,
" the desired amendment into the Clayton
bill over the head Of the President unles,
= its adoption should be agreed to by tn,
y Administration.
e. Union labor Is further placated by
m second amendment, which administrator
.. leaders have agreed to incorporate In tn
ANTITRUST bill. This amendment will fol
re low section 10 OF the Clayton bill, whic
h. forbids the Issuance Of injunctions agains
L peaceful assemblage, picketing and boy
:, cottlng by the unions" Referring t
~ such acts the amendment will read:
"Nor shall any Of the acts speci-
10 fed In this paragraph be construed
by or held to be unlawful"
T.
n =