The Washington times., 1919-09-02

been in control Of capital anyhow
through the influence OF big money
in local and State politics.
In all probability the Central Labor
| Union OF Washington, acting for the
! federation, will take up the cudgel
for policemen who may decide to
stand by the union and. will prepare
for fight in the courts through in
junction proceedings or otherwise.
Calls Stand Illegal.
Frank Morrison, secretary of the
Federation Of Labor, has several
times statNd to this newspaper that
1t is his belief that the Commissioners
are acting in violation OF the Clayton
antitrust and other Federal laws in
their second notice to the Washington
Policemen's Union.
Tie Central Labor Union and the
Federation have stats OF able law
yers who win be prepared 20 60 to
the courts. Appeal elsewhere is be-
lieved to promise nothing. It is now
generally accepted that President
Wilson has given his tacit approval
70 the purpose of the Commissioners
to break up the affiliations of the
local organization and that nothing
in the world is to be gained by go
ing to him.
Congress can do nothing now to
stop any action the Commissioners
may he disposed to take, even If Con-
gress were in sympathy with the men.
1t has been known for a considerable
time that opposition to the unions
affiliations was strong in Congress-
where several members of the House
have privately expressed their belief
ha
should be abolished and soldiers and
sailors substituted. This view, how
ever, has not been expressed by a
sufficient number of men to ascertain
how widespread it may be. Other
members Of Congress do not favor
this course
statement of BrOvVnlOW.
Following the order of the Commits
sioners this morning, published else
where, Commissioner Brownlow is
sued this statement:
The Commissioners informed the
Representatives o. the policemen's
union on August %, that they could
not counCenance a policemen's union
that was affiliated with any other
labor organization. At the same time
they made il perfectly clear that
there was no objection on the part of
the Commissioners to any organiza-
tion of policemen as such. We asked
the committee of the union at that
time to withdraw from its outside
affiliations.
Since that time the Commissioners
have heard nothing from the commit
tee or any other representatives of the
organization. They have heard cutie
informally that a meeting was held
at which the Commissioners policy
was discussed, but no action was
taken.
Have Had Plenty of Time.
at seems to US that there has been
plenty of time for the union to have
taken action on our suggestion that il
withdraw from its affiliations. AS no
such action has been taken, we have
decided to issue the order which for
bids any member of the police force
to join or retain membership in any
organization OF policemen which is
affiliated with any other labor or
ganizstion.
THE action is taken in pursuance
of the policy announced on August
| 22. Events since that date have tend
ed greatly to strengthen my own de-
termination that ii is absolutely nee
essary 20 maintain the complete in
dependence of the Police Department.
Members of the Police Depart
ment should have but one allegiance,
and that TO constituted authority.
They should have an absolutely neu
tral attitude toward all factions and
classes. They should represent only
law and authority. II. as a body,
tney are connected with otner organ
izations. neutrality can be preserved
only with difficulty, II at all; and in
the minds of the people generally il
would cease to exist.
Il believe that nearly all OF the
members Of the department, after
reflection, will see the problem in the
same light as do the Commissioners
and viii withdraw from the organiza-
tiOn, unless the organization at once /
breaks its affiliated ties.
There is plenty Of time for the or
ganization to take action. ! have /
heard some ono say that it's constitu- ]
tion YVES so phraSed that IL would take !
q month or more 10 get through :he /
necessary parliamentary proceedings |
OF course, il is silly to say that the /
Commissioners must wait a month or /
more 20 find out whether their orders |
will be obeyed or dlsobeyed. As to /
Individual withdrawal from union