The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-11
HATTERS ASK
j. S. TO PAY
$29O,OOO FINE
Congress Gets Bill To-day
to Reimburse Dan
bury Men.
SAY SHERMAN LAW
NOT MEANT FOR THEM

wAsHINGToN. Feb. iO.-An effort Is
TO be made in Congress TO have the
United States Government pay the
100000 In damages costs and interest
which the United States Supreme Court
recently held that the union hatters OF
Danbury must pay on account of viola
ton ~ the Sherman antitrust law.
Martin Lawler OF Connecticut. one OF
the defendants In the famous Danbury
hatters' boycott case, conferred to-day
with members OF the Connecticut dele
cation in Congress with a view to hav-
Ing a bill introduced reimbursing the de-
PENDANTS for the full amount OF the
Judgment, including costs and interest.
Mr. LAWYER said tonight that he had
seen all members OF the Connecticut
delegation except Representative Loner-
gan. The four other members OF the
delegation. Representatives Mahan.
Donovan. Reilly and Kennedy. Lawler
said. had agreed TO unite in introducing
such measure
The bill was drawn up b. these NOM
Z
the House to-day. The clerk. however.
refused To receive Il unless the bill was
introduced separately by each member.
This will be done tomorrow.
This proposed legislation Is regarded
by many as the most remarkable that
has made Its appearance ut this session
OF Congress. SO far as Is known no
attempt ever has been made heretofore
to have the Government relieve private
/ individuals OF damages which have been
| levied against them on account OF viola
! tons OF law. The belief in Washington
| is that the American Federation of
Labor will be found cxerting It's power
! full influence In behalf OF this legisla-
ton.
Il has been contended that the en-
/ forcement OF the judgment in this case
would absolutely ruin most OF the de
/ PENDANTS and would take all the savings
they had. besides their homes.
} The movement TO have the Govern
meut assume this obligation is based
on the contention that Congress never
intended tho sherman antitrust law &c
apply b. labor organizations,
The Danbury case grew out OF boy
| cott declared by members OF .he Dan
| bury hatters' union against the firm oI
| u. +. Loewe a Co The hat manufac,
/ turers sued tho members of the unior
| for triple damages under the sherman
I antitrust law. charging that the union
/ by organizing and promoting boycott
against the firms products. had vio-
lated the sherman law which permits
| the recovery by the injured party OF
! triple damages for its violation
The union contended that the Sherman
/ law did not apply to organizations. tn,
case was vigorously fought and Alto;
b. Parker of New York argued tn
unions case In the United States Su
preme Court. which recently affirmed
tho judgment of S252.o0O obtained b!
tho Loewe firm in the lower courts. hold
[ ing that the Sherman law applies .
! labor as well as to other organizations
THE suit was brought against indi
viduals and not against the union" sat
| Mr.. LAWYER tonight. THE defendant
are almost all old men and the judgmen
amounts to s25a. 900. with interest at
per cent. from October. 1912. whicl
would make tho total amount abou
$500, 900.
THE action was brought under tn
Sherman antitrust law and II wa
stated at the time tho law was passe'
that Il was not the intention Of tn
trainers OF the law to make 1t appllca
BILE 10 labor organizations. But tn
courts held that II did apply to lnbo
/ organizations. For that reason the de
PENDANTS feel that they should not hav
been prosecuted and that II IL the dut
OF the Government to pay the Judg
! ment"