The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1922-09-06
i. s. INJUNCTION
WILL NOT AbR|DGE
PERSONAL LIBERTY
Attorney General Daugherty
Explains Scope of Restrain
ing 0rder-Freedom of
Speech Not Involved

Washington. September S.-The
injunction obtained in Chicago
against striking shopmen by the
government. Attorney General
Daugherty said today. Will not be
used to abridge personal liberty nor
win freedom of speech or the press
by interfered with. But. he added.
freedom of speech and freedom of
press does not mean those mediums
may be used 10 incite riots or MUIR
ders." The Attorney General also
declared that the injunction had not
been obtained to force men to work,
nor was 1t move to prevent
strikes.
The statement of Mr.. Daugherty.
which was made to newspaper cor
respondents, followed earlier decla-
rations by a White House spokesman
after todays cabinet meeting that
President Harding felt the injunc-
ton would not in any way sendanser
constitutional rights of the men on
strike or of other citizens. But. II
was added, the Chicago Injunction
proceedings would be followed up
with the determination of prevent
ing interference with transporta-
ton.
Just how far the government
would be Obliged to go with prosecu-
lions against individuals, the White
House spokesman said, could only
be determined by events. II was in
dictated that no activities in con-
nectfon with the strike outside of
court matters were in progress.
Predicts End of strike
Mr. DauRherty In his statement
declared there would be no objection
by the department of justice to
meetings of union men to perform
auy of their functions that do not
Interfere with Interstate commerce
or otherwise violate the law.
"If any one undertakes to abridge
personal liberty" he added, II will be
as vigorous in UNFOLDING tho people
rights as / am vigorous in opposing
violence"
The Attorney General expressed the
belief that the strike situation would
''duiet down" this week.
The Injunction, he said. lis sitting
very comfortable" adding that the
department had received many con-
gratulstory messages on II. including
many from labor people.
Press Approves couras
The great majority Of the press
about 80 per cent--that portion of
the respectable outstanding press"
Mr.. Daugherty declared, approved
the governments course. The press,
he added, had performed a very
generous, helpful service to the
American people"
Responding to a question the At
torney General said he thought
court would construe advocacy Of
picketing as being In violation Of
Judge Wilkerson's temporary re-
straining order.
Reports to the department of Jus-
tice today, he asserted. showed the
situation over the country to be
quiet, very comfortable"
AS the Attorney General discussed
the situation, william II. Johnston,
president of the International Asso-
citation of Machinists. one of the
seven striking rail unions. declared
in an address before mass meeting
of strikers here that no change had
been made in the methods of con-
Quoting the strike. so far as his union
was concerned.
Mr.. Johnston characterized the
Chicago injunction as the big noise"
and said he would defy Attorney
General Daugherty or anyone else to
interfere with me and my fellows
meeting to discuss matters of mutual
interest"