The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1917-12-28
WAGE-EARNERS OF WASHINGTON
AWAKE TOYOUR POLITICAL WORK
Secretary Federation Labor Admonishes Unonsts
to Give Thought of Necessity of Planning Now for
Political Work in 1918
(By Charles Perry Taylor)

serve serious consideration at the
hands of union labor in the state oil
Washington at this time. In the
absence of President Marsh of the
Washington State Federation of La.
Dor, temporarily serving on Presi-
dent Wilson's Mediation Commission
and while charged with at least par
tially caring for President Marsh's
duties. the writer desires thoughtful
consideration by trades unlonlsts OF
Washington of the situation that
exists. The supreme court of the
state and the supreme court of the
nation have both within the past few
weeks handed down decisions that
vitally affect the power, Influence
and usefulness of the union move
ment. Notwithstanding the declara
tions of the Clayton amendment to
the Sherman antitrust law, not
withstanding the constitutional guar
antees of the freedom Of speech and
press, notwithstanding the legal dec
laration that labor is not commod-
ity, these decisions will thrust labor
back into the chattel class if they
stand as the final decision in such
matters. Courts render so many
decisions on precedent rather than
on actual law, and rely so much on
what is called common law, and so
many times, seemingly, place so little
reliance, in the judgment of many, on
common sense, that thoughtful peo-
pie may well seriously consider
whether we are not ruled by judges,
who, by their assumption of power,
assumption not always upheld by ac-
tual law, constitute these judges a
well nigh kingly class in a republic
of self governing citizens. When
both divine and human law says
citizens may exercise the right to
tell the truth, nay, must tell the
truth and the truth only, under pen
atty of punishment, than for court
of either high or low degree to deny
that right is a travesty on free gov
ernment.
Decisions defining in general terms
the rights of both organized labor
and employers were rendered De-
ce0ber 10 by the United States su-
hn
workmen may organize for lawful
purposes, but that employers may
legally operate their plants as open
shop and prevent efforts to bring
non-unionists into the unions. The
opinions were rendered in the cases
of the Hitchman Coal & Coke COM
pany and the Eagle Glass Manufac-
turing company of West Virginia,
the court deciding that both were
entitled to operate their plants as
"open shops" and upholding injunc-
tions issued by Judge A. G. Dayton
restraining union officials from at
tempting to organize their employ
ers. Lower court DEGREES holding
the United Mine Workers of Amer
lea and the American Flint Glass
Workers Union were illegal organ
izations, and under the sherman
Antitrust law, they were secret
conspiracies in restraint of trade,
were ignored by the supreme court
opinion Justices Brandeis, Holmes
and Clark dissented, the first max
ing the statement he believed the
unions had the right to do the things
to which the members of the court
objected.
The state supreme court of Wash
ington, in recent decision and a
later refusal to grant a rehearing,
abolished the right of picketing in
Washington, in the st. Germain res
taurant case in Seattle, and, to all
intents and purposes, the union
movement has lost the right to obey
that Commandment from the Creator
which forbids lying. Thou shalt
not tell the truth if it hurts my
business" says the American Bus
mess, and business is supported in
effect by court decisions. This is
not to be wondered at, considering
that judges are made out of lawyers
and lawyers are made out of business
or corporation legal work.
The frequency of the abuse of the
power of injunction in industrial dis
putes is byword among members
of organized labor How frequent
ly do employers rush into court, and
in fear on Imaginary dangers, pray
for injunctions against fellow citi'
zens engaged in Godgiven right tc
cease work when conditions become
undesirable, and engaged also ii
compliance with both divine com
mand and influence of righteous