Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-06-11
RaiIroah Strikes and the Coronndo Case

a GROUP OF railroad unions, the pay of
whose members has been cut by for
NAL order OF the United States Railroad La
Dor Board are threatening strike. They
are taking the ground that the board has
Exceeded its authority in reducing wages be-
low the point promised IN the organic act
CREATING that body. and if the men decide
10 Walk out they may tie up large part
OF the transportation system OF the country
only few days ago the United States Su-
prone Court handed down decision in the
Coronado coal case. in which il was held
That labor union. whether incorporat ed
"t not, may be sued for damages inflicted
ny ~ upon an employer as result OF n
strike. This decision comes under tho Sher-
man antitrust law. which allows an injured
marry. to recover three times the actual
damage sustained AT tho hands OF volator
OF the law.
The courts ruling was clear and clean
onf II shows in Conci tic terms the eX-
rent oi the liability of any body OF strikers
ior punitive damages If damages are proven
tEd that decision is regarded by labor lead
"rs as the greatest blow trades unionism has
ever sustained at the hands of court i'm
TINS country. Under il an EMPLOYER may
ttSach me FUNDS OF a union as was done in
Inc coronado case. those funds to be held
~ the custody OF the court until "A final do
c!sion is reached
II this is true OF mine workers unions tho
natural question is. why is Il MOI truc nj
al labor ORGANIZATIONS? In other words If
Under The law as i, has now been inter
pfet"d. the miners who 20 on IA strike are
I"b!e Tor damages resulting from that
strike. why are nte railroad bro,herhoods
equally liable fof di1miages which NAV ac-
crue II they should order /. strike
~ would q he ho,h pnrc;,.i, 49,,
practicable for the railroads against which
Ir!Kes take place TO invoke the Sherman
ltW Tor their protection as did the Coronado
Coal Company. The carriers, il would an
pear. might sue the strikers and the cour,
might compel the unions involved 10 sur
renuer all the money, or q large part OF il
IN their treasures, TO be held until it is
oel efHlhed whether damages should be
paid
If this decision of the Supreme C,ur, ~, :
not influenced the strikc-inclined railroad
employees II IS. probably because they have
MOI been fully advised by their counsel re-
Earning the unfortunate possibilities of tho
SITUATION. II u true that the railroads hay.
given no intmation OF a purpose TO go into
court under the recent decision. Inn, tbcv
Fqnld hardly give such an intimation a, This
might pr '''
" "' H'".'4 ''1"' lu" supreme Court
mas no, Hehiea me reht 81 labor 20 strike
THAT rira, was no, u question IN ,ho Coro.
AaNb case nor has II been challenged in
any court proceeding Bu, The coy,, has
"e'n mat s.! a strike takes place and If rra6a
restrained by the strikers They are amen.
"h.t l' III" sherman acr and may he com.
r''ea 10 pay he damages which loliow
eng me railroad strife oycn,uatcs +,
WI come IN all probability after a formal
s''Ik" order mas been issued bv no pnio,
,eaarIs TINS would seem to increase tht
laD'i',t 81 lh" labor organizations Tn,
.'' "e.o ' me Coronado case nat the ma
habie for the damages sustained by Tho co..,
company because the strike had no, hoo,
ordered nor count.uanced hy the par.r
BODY Fho situation woud be far drcren
IN Vie case Of a strike actually ordered an,
caHied on by union leaders