New-York tribune., 1922-06-10
Brotherhood Heads Seek
Legal Loop to Evade
Coronado o Decision
of the Supreme Court
Compers Defiant,
Braves Contempt
Criticize President, Why
Not Justices? He Asks;
Dress Strike Looms Up
BY Gilman Parker

day DeRdn an lnNcStlRatlon u asccr-
tain the status Of their organizations
under the recent decision Of the
United States Supreme Court in tho
Coronado mine case, with especial
bearing upon a possible strike by the
railroad employees. The railroad
chiefs, il was said, have sought
legal advice as 10 just what they can
do legally, in accordance with tho
Coronado decision, in the matter Of
calling strikes should these DO
deemed necessary.
Some Of the questions on which
the union leaders were reported as
desirous Of obtaining legal interpre-
tations were reported as follows:
"Inasmuch as the Supreme Court
has held that unincorporated unions
are subject 10 suit and their funds
can be tied up, what can be done 70
prevent this contingency in the event
strikes are calledF
Would incorporating lessen tho
legal liabilities Of the railroad work.
ers, so far as striking is concerned"
Might Send Funds to Canada
One suggestion reported 20 have
been made was that II strikes arc called
the unions might transfer their funds
7 l.. laHf 40 "a
hit By decisions Of American courts,
Il was pointed out. however, that this
might entail difficulties In returning
the funds 20 this country as need 70
carry on strikes.
The Coronado ruling held union or
CARNATIONS responsible for damages
20 the employer when a union sane
toned strike OF its membership on
| his plant. Interpretation OF che de-
csion b. Samuel GOmpors. president
Of the American Federation Of Labor,
went so far as 10 suggest that punitive 7
damages might be obtained.
With the draft Of their letter 10
| President Harding protesting wage
cuts not yet completed. representa-
tiyes OF the eleven organizations ot
railroad workers concerned tonight
contented themselves with issuing
statement replying 20 published inters
views from six railroad presidents, IN
which the latter declared that talk Of
calling OF transportation strikes 10
confined almost 70 the union heads.
Ask Rail Men for Budget
The chief point made in the state.
ment was a request 70 the railroad
heads that they prepare budgets show.
ing lust how much food, clothing and
other necessities may be purchased By
the affected workers at current prices
on the reduced wages designated for
them by the United States Railroad
Labor Board.
Another high light" Of the day in
organized labor's preconvention actiyi-
ties here was an address by Mr Com
pers in which he attacked the Coronado
decision as an attempt 20 deprive work.
ers Of the right 10 strike. lie also de-
fed the Supreme Court and its powers
20 hold critics Of its decisions IN con-
tempt.
b. NJ. jewell, head OF the fedoration's
railway employees departp eni, m ms
reply 10 the railroad presidents pre-
/ diction that there would be no strike'
said:
"You say the employees are inter.
ested sincerely in taking care OF their
/ Jobs and their homes and few en-.
ployees in any industry have more good
/ reasons for doing so. BY this STATE
ment you have for the railroads Tor
which YOU speak accepted as just and
reasonable the minimum wage OF q
cents per hour, $ll0t per week,
s2492 per month, S563.04 per year,
] which is proposed for the section men.
"You further say the truth u that
the men have been expecting a redue-
ton In their wages and have made or
or marking preparations 10 meet the
new scales. Let US for the sake on
this frank discussion assume the cor
rectness Of this statement. Then IN
order that the tens Of thousands OF
section men on railroads may succeed
/ in making preparations 20 meet the
new scale, we ask in all candor that
i YOU publicly state just how much food
clothing, fuel, housing, furniture,
medicine and other essentials Of life
these section men and their families
can and should purchase In order that
they may be interested sincerely in
taking care Of their Jobs and In order
that they may have sufficient Of the
essentials of life 10 be the efficient
employees which are 50 essential 20 the
I success Of the railroad industry"
Relief from the decision and the
tenets laid down by il, Mr.. Gompers
announced, will be sought OF Congress
By the Federation and is affiliated
unions, along the lines taken by the
British labor movement IN obtaining
the passage Of the trades dispute act
nullifying the Taft-Vale decision, the
principals Of which we're almost iden-
tical with those Of the Coronado de-
cision.
Mr.. Gompers did not reveal a def
inite outline Of the measure which
Congress will be asked 20 pass, but u is
assumed that the bill 20 be introduced
will seek the exemption Of the unions
from civil suit for damages caused IN
connection with strikes. on the ground
that the unions are ""eluntary organi-
nations" and are not incorporated.
Compers Dehes Supreme Court
In his speech, which was made In the
City Club hero before an audience ot
leading employers and professional
men OF Cincinnati, Mr.. Gompers issued
! n direct defiance of the Supreme Court
and It's rules that criticism OF its de-
cislons places the critic open TO con-
tempt proceedings.
II do not run away from night" ne
said, "but IL has come 10 a pretty pass
when an American citizen can no long,
er discuss and criticize the decisions