The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-13
FUTURE BRIGHTER THAN EVER,
 AMERICAN FEDERATION FINDS AFTER YEAR OF BIG SUCCESS


 labor are reviewed, some emphasis being laid upon decision of the Su- preme Court of Massachusetts hold ing unconstitutional a state law which was taken by the Federation as it's first model in the endeavor to protect wage-earners from "the perverted ap- picaton of antitrust legislation and from the abuse of the writ of in- junction"
 The decision, the report says, is based on the theory that labor is property" which it asserts is a dog matic ruling and based upon past de- cislons of judges. The court is charg- ed with not making proper investiga- 'tion in deciding such a case and it's methods are characterized as "un- scholarly, unscientific, and out of har- mony with the purposes of real jus tice," The report says the Executive Council will consider the case to de- termine whether further steps may be taken.
 In connection with decisions affect ing labor by Federal Courts the re- port refers to the noted Danbury Hatters' case.
 'The great wrong that was done in the Danbury Hatters' case" 1t says,
 y The aged, inflrm Danbury Matters have been ordered to pay the Shy lock award, claimed by the Anti-Boy- colt Association. The shadow of the Hatters' case which for years hung like a threatening pail over the labor movement has power to menace.
 ''The decision of the United States Supreme Court in 1912 established precedent which judges are trying to make law, although the highest law making body of the country-the agency to which the nation delegated that function-has enacted legisla- tion to remedy the great wrongs done by that decision. Justice, hampered by the Judiciary, works slowly and in devious ways"
 The report says decision by the United States Circuit Court of Ap- peals, in the case of A. s. Dowd against the United Mine Workers of America begun six weeks before the Clayton law was enacted and involv- ing operation of Arkansas coal mines, seeks to rivet upon wage earners the precedent of the Hatters' case "and to carry that interpretation to even greater lengths of injustice.''
 The report says the court laid down the principle that an unincorporated body could be sued for three-fold damages alleged to have been caused by striking miners and that a strike may be an interference with inter- state commerce, and all members of the Union whether in the strike or not. become liable for damages.
 ''The decision is an example of CO., 1ossal injustice" continues the report, 'sIf that decision is allowed to be- come part of the law of this country it will result in the destruction of sUnionism.
 'sThe United States Court of Ap- peals for the Eighth Circuit has en- deavored to eIude the purposes of the Clayton Antitrust Act and to dis, credit it. The decision of the court is in conflict with the laws of the land, is at variance with the ethical concepts and standards of the citizens of the United States and with the facts of life and work. It is a dan gerous condition in our Republic when judges who exercise discretion ary and almost wholly irresponsible power can suspend the laws of the land and rule contrary to the wishes and Judgment of citizens.
 4n1S Ou0 LulnS DQuSC D0 S0CIlcu soon: Will judges read and learn the primer of human liberty or will they devote their ability and mentality to the service of winning cases for men of wealth and line up with the ex- ploiters and the predatory interests of the country
 Speaking of the eight-hour day law passed by Congress to avert the re- gently threatened railroad strike the report says: "For nearly a century the labor movement of America has conducted a campaign for the estab- lishment of maximum eight-hour , work day." and characterizes the leg islation by Congress as "a notable movement" It says the eight-hour day was established "as 8 primary step in conserving the lives and the working power of wage-earners."
 In taking the position that the prin- ciple of the eight-hour day should be conceded as a right that ought not be arbitrated, the report says: "Neith- CT President Wilson nor the railway brotherhoods rejected the principle of arbitration as the railroad presidents have wrongfully claimed. Those mat ters are arbitrable which concern property and property rights"
 Discussing President Wilson's pro- posa1s for legislation the report says an essential feature was the creation of "commulsory governmental institu- tions to regulate industrial relations in an occupation not owned or oper- ated by the government itself. It is a revolutionary proposition totally out of harmony with our prevailing in stitutions and out of harmony with our philosophy of government"
 "The wage earners of the United States will oppose any proposition to impose on them compulsory institu- tions which disguise involuntary ser- vitude. They hold that the principle involved in voluntary institution is the key to personal and industrial freedom and that this principle is of more importance to them than any other consideration. Involuntary and compulsory labor once enforced even for a single hour, will not halt at it's temporary enforcement but will go on and become permanent
 A splendid record of achieve ment' in legislation, through activ- ities of the Federation by positive participation in politics for the pur- pose of securing the elections of those in favor of the aims of the labor movement and the defeat of those who had demonstrated their hostility to the case of labor" is set forth in detail.
 Tn Cornookion with xyooo