Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-11-01
PROTEST IS MADE
AGAINST MOVE To
PREVENT STRIKE
Officials of A. F., ,NObject
to Action of Cove o& il
OBTAINING an InjunCEs2 &c
Halt Coal Tjeup, ~

| Especial CONSEQUENCES TO MORNING JoueNR TG
Washington, Oct Sl,-Officials o,
| the American Federation OF Labor
protested to Attorney General Palmer
today against the action of the gov
erhment in obtaining an injunction in
the coal strike.
Samuel Gompers, president OF the
federation, did not accompany the
delegation. but an engagement was
made for him to see the attorney gem
eral later.
The federation officials declared the
injunction violated the rights of union
labor and indicated that the coal
miners would have their support IN
any fight brought to dissolve the in
functions. Mr. Palmer reiterated that
the government was proceeding solely
against one union which,. he declared,
was trying to violate the law. He said
the right to strike was not involved
1t is understood that there will be
no change in the policy of the govern
ment as a result of the representations
of the union men,
Representatives of four railroad
brotherhoods including Warren s.
Stone, grand chief Of the engineers,
and l., p, sheppard president of the
conductors, accompanied the deler
alton. Their presence was taken as
indicating that although not affiliated
with the federation, the brotherhoodS
would give their powerful support 70
any action union labor might take
Mr.. Gompers, Secretary Morrison
and Matthew Woll vice president Of
the American Federation Of Labor,
conferred with Mr., Palmer for an
hour and a half, but they declined to
make any statement Mr.. Gompers
said he might have something to say
later.
In connection with the protest of
the railway workers. representatives,
it was recalled that Attorney Genera
Palmer's statement announcing the
governments attitude toward the coai
strike incidentally announced that
any conspiracy to retard or to inter-
fere with transportation of necessities
also was illegal under the food and
fuel control law This would mean
that a strike of railroad workers,
several of which have seemed likely
TO develop before the first of the year
might also be regarded by the govern
ment at this time as outside the pale
of the law"
Mr. Palmer said he told the union
to either side i'm the strife that the
president was ready to act immediate-
ly to have the controversy settled
amicably whenever the strike was
called off.
Necessity for the Action.
President Gompers and other Off
cials Of the American Federation of
Labor were said, however, to have
urged their views on the matter of the
injunction in their conference with
the attorney general
II explained the necessity for the
action" Mr.. Palmer said, "and the
manner In which this case must be
differentiated on its facts from all
other cases in which injunctions have
been used. | have been opposed and
the administration has been opposed
to government by Injunction whereby
employers might use the processes 9f
the courts on an cx parte hearing to !
force their employees into submission. |
This is the government itself, |
using its own courts to protect itself |
from paralysis"
1T is not an injunction obtained by
employers" Mr. Palmer said mot for
the benefit of the employers, not to
settle the controversy but to save the
people Of the entire country from dis
aster 1t doesn't affect the right of
a man to work when he pleases."
In this connection he explained that
the petition for injunction as prepared |
by the government seeks to restrain
the officers Of the United Mine Work.
ers from doing anything in further
ance of the strike order.
''lf the injunction Is obeyed" Mr.. |
Palmer said and it goes without
saying that the law must be obeyed.
it will take away the direction of the
strike from above and leaves to the /
men perfect freedom to work or not
as they see fit. No strike can go on
without direction"
IL the Injunction is disobeyed the
court can act on its own initiative 20
punish the violators or on application
Of the government. Mr.. Palmer de-
slared the next step depends on what
happens