New-York tribune., 1920-12-18
Court Enjoi1as
Cloth w orkers
FromP Picketill.e.. 9 9.
Supreme Justices Decision
Against Amalgamaled Ex-
pecfed TO Have Far-Reach-
ing Effect on Unions
Owners Charge Bribery
Grand Jury Will Be Asked
10 Investigate the En-
tire Clothing Industry

day against the Amalgamsted Cloth
ng Workers Of America on applica-
.ion Of Max Welinsky, proprietor of a
clothing store at SO Canal Street. pro-
hibiting the picketing Of his place Of
business, Supreme Court Justice
Giecerich rendered a decision which, it
is expected, Will have sarreaching in
huence upon organized labor in gen
eral
Welinsky contended that the union
persisted in picketing his place be-
cause he had refused to reopen cloth
ing workshop after it had been de-
stroyed by fire. Tne shop was at "a Allen
Street. Welinsky asserted also that q
s.rikc of clerks in his store was or
dered when he persisted IN his re
susal to reopen the shop.
Justice Giegerich in granting the
injunction said in part:
"Of course the right Of employees
in other departments OF the business
to cease work for this or any other
reason cannot be questioned, but
neither they nor the factory employees,
nor the union to which they belong,
can be permitted to take affirmative
action Injurious to the plaintiffs busi-
ness for the purpose Of compelling
MIN TO continue department Of the
business which he wishes to abandon.
To hold otherwise would be to sane
ton coercion in support Of demand
which the employees had no right to
make.
II am not in5cnsible O.; the hardship
20 old employees thus suddenly thrown
out OF work, or of the loyalty of their
fellow workers who seek to come to
their rescue; but l see no justifica-
ton under the law for their present
attempt, or the attempt of their union,
to compel the plaintiff to continue
.heir employment Such situations
may very well suggest doubts and
problems to the student Of social sci
ence, but in the present state Of our
law, which is adapted to the prevailing
conceptions of prevailing rights, |
think there is 10 doubt about the de-
cision which must be given here"
Labor Awaited Decision
Both sides we're represented by
'arge array OF counsel, and labor
throughout the country was eagerly
watching the outcome of the case.
The Clothing Manufacturers Asso--
ciation Of New York yesterday turned
down the proposal Of the State In
drstrial Commission to submit It's dis
"a al Cva q
partial investigation and ADJUDICATION.
Coincident with its reply to the COM
mission, the association announced,
through its president, William Bandler,
-nai It was gathering evidence for
presentation to District Attorney
Swami tending to prove grating by
business agents AMI walking delegates
Of the Amalgamated. Mr. Bandler de-
clared the manufacturers would ask
Ior an Investigation OF the entire
mems clothing industry by the grand
jury.
According to Mr.. Bandler's an
nouncement the proposed inquiry
would follow closely the lines followed
by the Lockwood committee in its in
vestigation of the building trades, and
Fculd involve the alleged bribery of
business agents and other union Of
Ill bv n'anufacturers in the calling
on OF S~tlEeS ana inc settlement OF
otrel laDor troubles.
Pressed FOR more concrete particu~
lars. Mr Bandler said:
On this sort of thing you must have
the facts to present"
Workers Welcome Inquiry
The Analgamated, On the other hand,
in letter addressed to the State In
dugtrial Commission, expressed full
willingness to submit its case to an in
vestigation by the commission, and
informed the latter that it would be
represented on Monday at the meet
ing called by agents for the commits
sion. Sidney Hillman, president of
she Amalgamated, announced also that
his organization would welcome the
proposed grand jury Investigation Of
The clothing industry.
The Ana gamated will welcome the
3ullest lnvestigation," said Mr. Hill
man The manufacturers are max
ing vague threats of evidence for a
grand jury Investigation. We are ready
- =. but we have no expectation Of
nnding the manufacturers eagerly
teat fyirp.''
An important development b..rnp
on the clothing trades situation took
place yesterday when the executive
council OF the Textile Workers OF
america announced, after meeting
the Bible House. Astor Place. thai
me organization would ask for a Con
Hress onai investigation Of tbe terti]s
INDUSTRY The investigation, it was an
1ounced, would involve the action Of
nc manufacturers ard the nanufac-
1fsrs associations in proposing a re-
t1e'loh of wages IN the Industry In
me mean wh le the 500 600 textile worL-
ers we're advised 70 accent the cut T.,
resolution adopted by the executive
connc the members Of the union wars
rfgeo not 70 strike, because 10 do a.
~ooid be very satisfactory to the EN-
pioyers and would greatly assist thew
Til" 'neir open shop propaganda"
Conditions Called Intoierablo
Ar. Bandier, In his letter TO IN. sts+u
INDUSTRIAL Cornnission turning do1,,,s
ne con- nigsion' differ Of mediation ra.
''tso me pos ton 'of the manufactur-
erS az contained in their statement o.
PRIME ples announced last SUNDAY nioh.
nc conditions imposed by the pnjon
.ls istter said, have been intolerabIe
ana unoearable FoI sone time. aU 10
nc end, az the union hag proclaimed
sa oestfoylng tne employers and plar'
az tne workers In actual control of
2Todref'cn 80 that they shall be- readu
% tA@e possession Of it,
|oWfrTe, 1t no time and in no IN.
~asf1y' wrote Mr. Bandler, "han tbeys
@7er been greater tyranny, terrorssn
md other sCaf1 soroa .xauxs '''