, 1921-03-03
Organized Labor Defies United
States Government in Mat
ter of lniunctions.
IS READY FOR BIG FIGHT
"BiH Of Rights" and Legislative De-
mands Issued-Harding Completes
His Cabinet-America Pro-
tests Japanese Rule Over
Yap-Near East Con-
ference in London.
By EDWARD w. PickARo

Organized labor of America has
thrown down before its enemies the
gauntlet of challenge to Il fight to a
finish. The United States govern
is apparently included among
to enforce judicial injunctions in in
dustrial disputes.
Unde the leadership of Samuel
Gompers the representatives of the
national and international unions af-
fliated with the American Federation
of Labor met last week in Washing
ton and formulated their bill Of
rights" and their demands on the gov
eminent and the people. In these
there is much besides the injunction
matter, but that is perhaps the most
important A statement prepared by
Mr.. Gompers was issued in which the
injunction as now used is denounced
as unconstitutional and n pure usur-
patton Of power and authority. The
only remedy in the hands of the
workers, continues the statement, lies
In a fiat refusal on the part Of labor
to recognize or abide by he terms of
injunctions which seek to prohibit the
doing Of acts which the workers have
a lawful and guaranteed right to do
OF which seek to compel workers to
do those things which they have a
lawful and guaranteed right to refuse
10 do.
"This is the only immediate course
through which labor can find relief,
and this course II purposes to pursue.
Labor realizes fully the consequences
of such n course, but In the defense
OF American freedom and of Amer
lean institutions IT is compelled to
adopt this course. be the consequences
what they may"
OF course II this threat Is carried
out the result will be the arrest of
great numbers OF working men for
violations Of injunctions and, presum-
ing that the courts and government
do not yield and that union labor
brings into action all its resources.
something little short OF n state of
rebellion will follow. Union labor
thinks that its very existence as such
is threatened by present tendencies
and conditions. Other citizens must
see that the threat is directed against
the peace OF the nation and all that
that involves. Nor will the Informed
and thinking American accept as the
truth the statement OF Gompers. that
only the Federation OF Labor Is saw
ing the country from Bolshevism. The
Reds have done and can do much mis-
chief In America. but there Is no real
danger OF their gaining control here
or upsetting nj government.
Public support and recognition Is
asked by the labor leaders for these
propositions. comprising their "bill OF
rights:
The right OF the working people to
organize into trade unions for the
protection OF their rights and inter
ests.
The right to, and practice OF, col
lective bargaining by trnde unions.
through representatives OF their own
choosing.
The right to work. and TO cease
work, collectively.
The right collectively 10 bestow or
withhold patronage.
The right to the exercise OF collec-
tive activities In furthernnce Of the
welfare Of labor.
Their Legislative program is sum
mnrized thus:
Enactment by congress Of legisln-
ton 10 protect the workers In their
organized capacity against the con
cept that there IL a property right In
human lnbor.