Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-06-19
LABOR CHALLENGES
| RIGHTS Of COURTS
Federation Claims Decress
of Injunction Violate
Constitution.
BY the Associated Press.

| BY the Associated Press.
| ATLANTIC CITY. n. j.. June 10
The American Federation of Labor. in
| a resolution adopted at its conven-
| ton today condemning what were de-
! clared to be "usurpations by the
| judiciary" of the governments leg
! islative and executive powers. rec
| commended that organized labor disre-
gard injunctiona1 DEGREES of courts
on the ground that such DEGREES vio-
lated rights guaranteed under the
Constitution.
| The memorial demanded that
! judges who exceeded their authority
! should be promptly impeached. 1t
asserted that our courts and judges
| have been disregarding the rights of
| tyrannical than any assumed by the
most tryannical despot ever known
to history
The resolution charged further that
the courts had subordinated the legis
lative and executive departments of
| the government through their will.
The courts were described as "a
sinister influence which is sapning the
life from our institutions and Great
ing the worst sort of an autocracv.'
A recommendation presented by the
federation's executive council was
ommending the supreme courts of the
states and the United States have
some of their powers taken away
from them and be reorganized.
The federation convention also
adopted resolution favoring the re-
striction of immigration during the
reconstruction period.
In debate continuing longer than
two hours the radical element bitter
ly aSsailed the idea, while the con-
servatives, led by Secretary Frank
Morrison. insisted it was necessary as
a means of protecting American labor
from "exploita ton by vested interests.
Judiciary Called Tyrannical.
In the resolution condemning "usur-
pations Of the legislative and execu
tive powers" the judiciary was con-
demned as being "autocratic. des-
potic and tyrannical."
Radical and conservative delegates
clashed again yesterday. The contest,
which arose over resolution propos-
ing Inauguration of policy of initia
tive and referendum within the ranks
of organized labor. was marked by
display of bitter feeling. which result
ed in the radical element being crush
inely defeated. vote on whether
there should be a roll call on the reso-
luton disclosed there were only thirty
five delegates out of about 500 favor
ing the measure. This was interpreted
as representing even more than the
maximum ratio of radicals within or
ganiZed la Dor.
Mass of Resolutions.
Among the mass of resolutions
adopted was one favoring the initia-
tive and referendum on constitutional
amendments; one supporting all the
legislation suggested by President
Wilson in his recent message to Con-
gress: one favoring legislation per-
hitting labor officers in the govern
ment employ to have leaves of alb
sence to attend to labor business with
out injury to their standing; one favor
ling Giving wage" for government en-
ployes; one advocating an eight hour
day and IS a day minimum wage for
immigration and customs inspectors on
the Canadian border, and one advo-
eating the discontinuance by the gov
eminent of civil employment for men
and women in the military service
upon the signing Of the peace treaty.
A resolution pledging help by exer-
cising influence with Congress to Sc
cure votes for voteless Washington
was adopted.
Plans to have the American Fedora
ton of Labor submit to President Will
son the question involved in the strike
Of the Commercial Telegra piers Union
were made last night.