The Connecticut labor news., 1922-08-18

"No freedom loving citizen should vote for any candidate who will not pledge himself to oppose any form of compulsory labor law"
 The importance of the above A. F. of L. declarttoin is emphasized by recent White House statement, and by United States Senator Spencer's advocacy of a big stick court, with power to handel strikes and jail workers.
 The President has already notified congress that he favors incorporation of trade unions. Since then the Cor onada decision would seem to make incorporation unnecessary, as the United States supreme court has ruled that unincorporated trade unions can be sued.
 In his second coal strike letter to the governor of Michigan the Presi- dent definitely ranged himself on the side of the coal owners and blamed the workers for the coal strike. He said he would ask congress to pass legislation, which 'must be provided"
 As there now. exists ample govern mental conoiliation processes for any fair-minded employer, other legisla- ton would be based on force rather than mutuality and good will.
 The President also stated that he was with the coal owners i'll their opposition to a renewal of the cen tral competitive field contract. The coal owners want state, district and sub-district contracts, as existed 25 years ago.
 The President said this question is +Io ir that the miners "assumed national dictation," which must be dealt with by congress.
 settling 1t (the strike) under the legal authorities which are now possessed by either state or federal government
 "Manifestly, legislation must be provided, and 1 mean to submit the whole problem to congress at the earliest consistent time possible after the house reassembles.
 "The mine workers unhesitatingly assumed national dictation. It is the big issue involved in the present dis pute. Frankly, l think 1t must be dehlt with if we are to have any se- curity and any assurance of a supply of fuel"
 It will be noticed that no reference is made to the coal owners violation of a central competitive field (west- ern Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, contract that was under written by the government and which provided that when the old agreement expired Con March 3I last) the mine workers and coal owners should meet to arrange for a renewal of that con- tract.
 The cause for the coal strike is the coal owners refusal to meet the miners. Because the miners strike they are charged with national dicta- ton" and a demand for handcuff law is made by the chief executive.
 With the Presidents position so clearly stated, and with "can't- strike" law proposed in the senate by one of the administrators spokes- men, labor needs no other hint ot what is contemplated.
 The success of this proposal is as- sured if labor does not continually challenge the sophistry and muddled reasoning of salve law advocates.
 The workers will be bound to their tasks>if they permit continuance ot the cozy, mushy public opinion that does not distinguish between conven- fence and involuntary servitude.
 Labor everywhere should force this issue to the front.
 The enslavement of free men can not be concealed by honeyed words or sugar-coated terms. -....--...-. Insist that every candidate for ex- eeutive, legislative and judicial office answer this question::