American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1917-04-19
DECISION ON THE ADAMSON ACT

tny Colonel George Pope, President of
the National Association Of Manu-
facturers)
The decision of the United States
supreme court la the Adamson case IS
OF extraordinary importance, from
economic. governmental aud Industrial
viewpoints a statute OF novel import
has been declared constitutional. and
Do may be appropriate To- discuss the
application OF some OF the principles
laid down u'the courts decision, in
their relation To- our industrial life.
The most striking feature OF the de
clsiou Is the declaration that Interstate
commerce must so on. Il cannot stop.
Oh working arrangements cannot be-
worked ont hy joint agreement be-
tWccn employer and employee. then the
power OF congress- cam step in and COM
pei, boy legislation. the parties to ac-
cept a working basis. The life and
health and wealth of our people de-
Irends upon the exchange OF commo-
dires. aud mo- stoppage of %transporta-
ton facilities will be tolerated.
Coupled with this determination OF
the power OF congress. certain duties
are %enunciated by the court. Not only
must the executive operate the rail
roads, but the men must work. The
employe becomes. by virtue of his en-
ploymont. "A semi public servant. Tn,
individual employee may strike, but
their right 90 strike individually or In
concert is subject To limitation ma q
business charged with public interest
aud where rates and wages paid ar,
lsuhicct to the power of congress
they must not interrupt leeitimat,
traffic They must not impair IN,
rights of the public. They must no.
+, act n q way to bring ruin 10 Che vas'
interests concerned This is am illu
miuatius doctrine and pre~crihes .
, status of employ mcnt probably not OK
/, pcctgd or desired in certain u|nionize,
headquarters o. Win he au unWel
I come docetriue o. those authoritative
] advocates 81 personal liberty Wh,
/ insist that the decision of the suprem.
i court belongs % the 'old rcaetionar,
/ dr-pott.m of Russia and Mexico am,
S out az harmony With the free I'm
, situations of This republic The die
tum 81 organized ilhor's chancellor 4
interesting but wholly yalucless.
! amounts to am assertion that person
al right' 90 strike IS 4 right superio
[ % tho rights Of thc public Precise
j o. tho opposite view Is nov held by on
r hIghost court Somehow or other IA
{ president OF the American Federatio.
d. 90 Labor and the United States SD
r prone court do not set along very vel
/ together. our supreme court is con
; stantly reversing or ignoring the Ia
{ Dor c~haucellor's opinions ON funda
s mental questions OF Jurisprudence,
{ The divine right 90 strike is nov
$ considerably restricted
{ Upon careful reflection. therefore.
J seems as II organized labor had uu
= willingly become subject TO that yer
o federal regulation which il has sough
q 70 fasten exclusively upon the carriers
4 The fluent phrase personal liberty
a is not quite so personal and does nc
q possess So much liberty as It did be
u fore the decision was handed dowl
> Organized labor's iusistence upo
rights Is now coupled with solemn Of
q legations 20 he public-obligation
: created by the peoples represent,
u tives in congress and now JUDICIAL
IL determined TO be in harmony with OF
federal constitution.
~ The fundamental principle settle
y by the courts decision is the power