The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1917-06-29
COMMISSION GIVES HIGH PRAISE
FOR LABOR ORGANIZATIONS

/ superiority over the military, except
! in the case of strikes, where the
counts have uniformly refused to in
tervene and have left the workers
at the mercy Of the arbitrary and
brutal power Of the militia under
martial law (p. 58).
Fifth, the ordinary legal machinery
provides no adequate means where
by laborers and other poor men can
secure redress for wrongs inflicted
upon them through non-payment of
wages, overchargcs at company
stores, exol bitant fines and fees,
through fraud Of employment agents,
loan "sharks" and installment houses,
and through the grating foremen
and superintendent. The losses from
these sources amount each year to
millions Of dollars and work untold
hardship on men who can ill-afford
to lose even a penny of their hard
won earnings Up. so.
Sixth, the courts by unwarranted
extension of their powers in the
/ issuance of injunctions, have not only
injured the workers upon innumer-
able occasions, but have by the con-
tempt procedure, consequent upon dis
obedience to such injunctions, depriv-
ed them of the fundamental right of
jury trial (p. 6D.
Seventh, the laws designed for the
protection of labor in workshops and
mines, and on railroads are not eff
fectiveIy enforced except in few
states Up. Ga.
Eighth, the workers are subjected
to great injustice by reason of the
fact that in many localities they are
excluded from juries either by the
qualifications prescribed usually the
ownership of property or by the
method of selection. The worker
before jury drawn from the en-
plpying class is helpless and con
delnned in advance Up. 65.)
There are about 100000 mechanics
belonging to the different labor or
CARNATIONS in Chicago, yet there
ave only $50 mechanics drawn as
juror in the 3,440 investigated, or
about 10 per cent, when the pelcen-
tage ought to be about 70 ner cent.
In Colorado juries are frequently
chosen by the same sheriff who tes-
titled that the deputy sheriffs APP
pointed by him might have been
':led-handed murderers fresh from the
scenes OF their crimes" Up. 65).
The workers must be represented
upon iuries if they desire justic>
for themselves and their brothers.
Ninth, during strikes innocent men
are frequently arrested without just
cause. charged with fictitious crimes,
held under excessive bail, and treat
ed frequently with unexampled bru-
tally fer the purpose of breaking
the strike Up. CD.
In Patterson, N. j., for example,
/ 900 arrests were HlduC' "lIhouSh
there was less than $25 damage,
and there was no violence or attempt
at violence during the entire strike,
involving $4,000 workers (p. So
Tenth, in many localities during
strikes not only is one of the great
est functions of the state, that of
policing, virtually turned over to
employers, or arrogantly assumed by
them, but criminals employed by de-
tective agencies and strike-breaking
agencies are clothed as deputies, with
arbitrary power and relieved of Grim
inal liability for their acts (p. 69).
Eleventh, in many localities the
entire system of civil government is
suspended during strikes and there is
set up in its place military des-
potism under so-called martial law
This tyrannical usurpation has been
upheld by the courts in direct con-
travention of every constitutional
guarantee.
Twelfth, in some localities the con-
troll of employers of the entire ma
chinery of government is so great
that lawless acts on the part of
agents of the employers go UNDECIDED
and unpublished, while vindictive ac-
ton against the leaders of the strike
is accomplished by methods unpar-
ralleled in civilized countries. AL
though perhaps at its worst in Colo
RADIO, similar industrial tyranny and
despotism on the part of corpora
lions have REQUIRED in every section
Of the country (p. 73).
For the security and honor of the
nation the scales of justice must be
brought to stable equilibrium. This
can be accomplished only by real
ization by every citizen that every
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