Albuquerque morning journal., 1921-01-06
NO BACKWARD STEP.

The news columns of the past few days have
contained a labor "story" which gives food for
thought.
We refer to the decision of the United States
Supreme Court secondary boycotts." While the
excerpts of this decision contained in the reports
sent out are too meager and too non-technical to
use as a basis for final judgment. they are suf-
ficient to make it apparent that the supreme court
feels that limit must be set somewhere on SYM
. pathetic strikes and boycotts. .
Mr. Samuel Gompers, president of the American
Federation of Labor places very serious nterpre-
taton upon this decision, for he says. ''The whole
movement of thirty years to place workers and en-
ployers on basis of equality before the law has
been nuifed." If Justice Brandeis of the supreme
court is correctly quoted, he shares that pessimstic
view.
We sincerely hope that Mr.. Gompers fears lead
him to too gloomy view of the situation. No one
in his right mind. possessing sense of social
justice, wants any such thing to happen. We are
confident that it has not happened
Human rights must be placed above property
rights in America and be kept there. The welfare
and happiness of all the people must be the first
consideration of government. But property rights
are human rights and the two are so inseparably
linked that none tell where one ends and the
other begins For instance, the right of the worker
to protection in the ownership of his home is as
much human right as property right. for that
prosperity.
1t to us that the effort to make the issue
contest between property rights and human
rights" ds based upon false analysis of the stu
alton.
Iii To our minds the contest is one to prevent any
class of citizens from becoming strong that they
compel the government to coneede to it special
concessions and privileges Capital" while ago.
had become too strong and, therefore, too domin-
ant. 1t able to demand and receive unfair
special advantages. 1t right and proper that
q way be found to furnish counterbalanoe to this
overwhelming influence. This, the unions afforded
Therefore the unions commanded the goodwill and
support of public opinion.
II. by the of the sympathetic strike and the
boycott, danger arises that the unions will. in
turn become too strong and therefore be enabled to
exert an unfair and overweighing influence in our
government way is certain to be found to restore
the balance.
To maintain this balance between all people
and all our conflicting interests is the mission of
our supreme court. 1t is to argue that it
does not legislate by its judicial decisions for it
does. No will doubt the integrity Of the men,
berS of the supreme court but all will recognize
that these only human and their thought
processes unconsciously influenced by training
and environment. They jus. rnen--nohns
more. Doubtless this leads them into occasional
error which none foresee. But our system is
elastic and of policy develop they will be
corrected by legislation and court decisions
9#s We have not swung back thirty reara--or any
other number of years. Just it is the unwise
leaders of that foolish faction which we may term
predatory labor who are in danger of gaining an
overwhelming control instead Of predatory wealth,
4 true in certain periods of the past The
necessity of putting curb upon its pretensons for
the common good, including the Overwhelming
= mass of labor ITSELF doubtless made strong ap-
peal to the supreme court. Chastenei but not
destroyed, these few will probably choose a wiser
\ and more conservative course.
The common people" must forever sit
pires in the battle of conflicting interests.