Evening star., 1922-09-02
Rate by Mail-Payable in Advance.
MARYLAND and Virginia.
An Order Against Lawlessness.

A week from next Monday Il hearing
will be held before the federal court in
Chicago upon a question of the great
est moment to the public welfare. On
that day the court will hear arguments
regarding the injunction against the
shop crafts unions and affiliated labor
organizations. temporarily issued yes
terday. which forbids any manner or
degree of interference with the opera
tion of the railway trains. Meanwhile
the temporary order stands as a posi-
tive mandate, disobedience of which Is
punishab BILE with severe penalties.
Immediately upon the grant of the
preliminary order labor leaders, nota-
bly, Mr.. Gompers, exclaim in indignant
protest against government by in
junction" cry which resounded
thirty years ago. when the United
States interviewed to check disorders
and lawlessness menacing the move
ment of the trains. That protest was
Incorporated as a plank in the demo-
cratic platform of 1896. The country
rejected it in the election of that year,
and il has since then rejected other
protests OF similar nature.
The injunction is a step to prevent
government by crime, committed by
lawless men who are seeking to carry
their ends by interference with the
operation of the country's transporta-
ton system 1t is not directly move
against the strike. 1t does not chal-
lenge the right of men to organize and
TO quit work simultaneously. 1t does
not touch upon the issues of this pres
ent strike. 1t simply declares that the
trains must move, and that individuals
Or organizations must not, under pen
atty of fine or imprisonment, do any
thing to prevent train operation.
IL the prevention of disorder, OF
sabotage, of interference with the
tracks, or equipment, or the forces
engaged to keep the system in opera
ton weakens or breaks the strike, that
is the consequence of the strike breed
ing and depending upon such lawless-
ness for success.
perhaps more sweeping than any other
injunction ever secured from court.
But every term Of it bears directly and
logically upon the issue of keeping the
trains in motion. 1t may go too far, in
some opinions. with regard to COM
munications between union officials
and followers, or in the disposal of
union funds, but such prohibitions are
based upon the hypothesis that COM
munications and payments are con-
tributory to the disorders against
which the court now pronounces,
pending final hearing.
The Attorney General in his address
to the court yesterday, made plain that
there is no purpose to destroy the
unions The simple object Of the gov
ernment is to maintain transportation,
menaced by the malicious activity of
strikers.
Need of such an injunction is daily
proved by dispatches fHom all parts Of
the country telling of criminal acts in
interference with the operation of
trdlES anu tne HidiIiteHdHCe VI Heces'
sary shop work for the upkeep of
equipment. Dynamited bridges, blocked
switches, unspiked rails. assaults upon
workmen-cases of this kind are con-
stantly occurring. There can be no
doubt of the purpose of such wicked
deeds, which endanger the lives of
countless people. If the striking shop
men are innocent of such crimes they
ton. If they are guilty, they have con-
demned their strike to defeat. for no
strike can succeed through lawless-
ness, and no organization can possibly
afford to sustain or defend lawlessness.