The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-01-15
BOYCOTT ARRESTS
A LOAD ON LABOR
Reaction Predicted in PrOsecu-
ton Of Three Members Of
Employers Association.
LAW ADVICE A QUESTION

In causing the arrest yesterday OF
three officers Of the American Anti-Boy-
colt Association. an organization OF EN-
ployers which prosecuted and won the
famous Danbury Hatters case and has
engaged In other anti-labor litigation.
organized labor unwittinsly raised a
question Of the legality OF its own acts In
engaging lawyers to represent It.
Two of the accused men, Henry r.
Lee, secretary. and Walter Gordon Mcr-
rift, attorney for the association. were
held in $500 for Brooklyn Special Ses-
s!ons after waving examination before
Magistrate Handy in Adams street court.
Henry a. Potter. for whom a warrant
was also issued. was III and did not
appear.
The action was brought by Charles
Maitland Beattie OF 1I6 Nassau street,
attorney for the carpenters union, who
alleges that the Anti-Boycott Associa-
ton violated section $50 of the Penal
Law by furnishing lawyers and Legal
advice to litigan,s.
This ls another example Of the stu
pidity Of organized labor In acting
against its own best interests" said
Mr.. Merritt. 1T is charged that an
association of citizens, confronted by "A
common peril or seeking some reform.
cannot employ an attorney In such liti-
cation. Any one can see that a ruling
by the courts that a union or employers
association could not employ counsel
to defend It's officers and members in
tpdpetsia, pnatsarg u,nt,lI la a Urarat In
Justice to labor organizations.
Alton b. Parker and the American
Federation Of Labor. which employed
him to defend the Danbury Hatters. vio-
lated this law II we did. as did also Mr..
Beattie to-day. instigating this prosecu-
ton. The establishment OF a legal de-
partnent BY the A. F. Of l.. is equally
Objectionable"
Mr.. Merritt added that a committee Of
the Bar Association three years
heard him on the nature of the associa-
TONS work and found nothing Illegal.
His contention is that section ESQ is in
tended TO make punishable only practice
| for profit. and that the association makes
no profit.
The complaint against the Anti-Boy-
colt Association charges that II has sent
| letters and circulars to many persons
.sIung money for sIits. The association.
" hltRcS Is IA MOST tpfIlutlltldl HIldlI,
which refuses to make known the names
OF It's members or h they subscribe,
thus being "a secret scheme to get vast
sums of money to apply az these de-
fendants see nj under the constitution,
without the contributors or members
having any voice in the disposition OF
the money"
The complaint names seven suits
brought by the association in Kings
county against labor unions or officers
of unions. in which il alleges Mr.. Mer.
rift appeared as attorney. To the com
plant is appended the associations con-
stitution. showing that its funds var!
from sl0O. 900 20 s250,000. and thAt it,
slogan might be that Of preparedness. "a
just man armed Is potent for peace.
The object Of the association IL TO re-
siSt the boycott by proper and legal
IN
NJ. Merritt says that The Auti-Boycot,
Association is "a public spirited organi-
cation formed 10 establish industrial
peace and justice. and is now attacked
by the carpenters union OF the ground
that II furnishes counsel to secure pro
lection from its members against Grim
insl consp.racies OF labor"
Under section $50, an association prac-
tlsing Law u~nlawfully nay be fined
$1,000 and its officers may he impris-
oned a year and fined $1,000 each. NJ
Merritt contends that II he can he con.
victed under Il, 30 can all collection
agencies and many reform organizations