The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1921-03-04
Organized Labor Defies United
States Government in Mat
ter of Iniunctions.
IS READY FOR BIG FIGHT
"BllI Of Rights" and Legislative De.
mands lssued--Harding Completes
His cabinet-America Pro-
tests Japanese Rule Over
Yap-Near East Con-
ference In London.
BY EDWARD w. PicKARD.

| oy EOWEhO w. PfCkARD.
Organized labor of America has
thrown down before its enemies" the
gauntlet of challenge to fight to a
finish. The United States govern
ment is apparently included among
those enemies" and is boldly defied
to enforce judicial injunctions in in
dustrial disputes.
Under the leadership of Samuel
Gompers the representatives of the
+, national and international unions af-
filiated 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 pure usur-
patton Of power and authority. The
| only remedy In the hands of the
workers, continues the statement, lies
In nat refusal on the part Of labor
to recognize or abide by the terms of
injunctions which seek to prohibit the
doing Of acts which the workers have
a lawful and guaranteed right to do
| or which seek to compel workers to
do those things which they have a
lawful and guaranteed right to refuse
| to do.
"This is the only immediate course
through which labor can find relief,
and this course it purposes to pursue.
Labor realizes fully the consequences
Of such a course, but In the defense
of American freedom and of, Amer
lean institutions 1t is compelled to
| adopt this course, be the consequences
what they may"
OF course If 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 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
ling the country from Bolshevism.
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 trade unions,
through representatives Of their own
choosing.
The right to work. and to cease
work, collectively.
The right collectively to bestow or
withhold patronage.
The right to the exercise Of collec-
! tive activities In furtherance of the
welfare of labor.
Their legislative program is sum-
married. thus:
Enactment by congress Of legisla-
ton to protect the workers in their
organized capacity against the con-
cept that there is a property right in
human labor
mo application Of the use of in
functions in industrial disputes wher
they would not apply in the absenc
of such disputes.
Prohibition Of immigration for no
less than two years,
more general application of the ini
tiative and referendum In the politica
affairs Of the United States and Of tn
states.
Removal by congress of the usurpet
power of courts to declare unconstitu
tional laws enacted by congress.
Election of judges.
Immediate restoration of exemp
ton from. or the repeal of, all anti
combination and so-called conspirac.
laws.
Restoration of an adequate fedora
employment service.
Administration of credit as a pub
lie trust in the interest of all the PEG
pie.
Repeal by the states of all indus
trial court laws and all restrictive ant
coercive laws. including the so-callet
open port law of Texas, and freedom
from decisions of courts holding trade
unions, and individual members there
of. liable in damages for the unlawful
acts of others.
Enactment by congress of a Law
declaring that labor organizations arr
not co-partnerships and shall not bt
so treated in law or in equity.
Investigation by congress of thu
activities of so-called private detec
tive agencies in the field of industrial
relations"