The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1922-06-16


Taft, in effect sets aside the damages,
finding the acts which caused the de-
struction Of property were not melted
for the purpose of restraining inter-
state commerce. But the court also
held that labor organizations, even
though not incorporated, are not only
suable, but are amenable to the Sher-
man antitrust law, and under it may
be prosecuted for restraint of inter-
state commerce.
Samuel Gompers, as might be ex-
pected, denounced this decision bitter
ly, saying that it set precedent under
which capital "can impose any condi-
ton on the working people of the coun-
try, and they would not dare resist"
He declared he believed congress and
the people of the United States would
repudiate the ruling, and continued:
'The court has, for the first time in
the history of federal legislation, laid
down the principle that voluntary
corporation is liable for damages by
any act Of one or group Of its men,
bers, no matter how far unrelated
they may be in distance or supervi-
sion."
Unless 1t is nullified by congression-
al legislation, this decision of the
highest court in the land will power
fully and widely affect the future rela-
lions Of union organizations with en-
ployers and with the general public.
ID RITISH, italian and Belgian men,
- bers Of the reparations commits
sion voted to enlarge the international
committee of bankers that was trying
to adjust Germany's financial affairs
and to permit it to make it's own in-s
quiry into Germany's capacity to pay,
ignoring the London schedule. Amer
ica's unofficial delegate, Roland W.
Boyden, though he could not vote,
stated that he considered the repara-
lions demanded 1888, 0O0, 900, OO0-to be
too high. Frances representative,
however, voted in the negative. This
created tense situation. for although
a unanimous vote is necessary for the
PREPARATIONS commission to reduce the
sum demanded from Germany. until
1926 only majority vote is needed to
give Germany partial or full mora
forum.
The bankers, recognizing that una
nimity does not exist among the nations
that would be expected to participate
in the immense loans they were plan
ming for Germany; decided to give up
all idea of an international loan, and
so reported to the PREPARATIONS commits
sion.
Premier Poincare and President Mil
ierand-who, it may be said, are
backed up completely by their govern
ment-asked special meeting of the
commission, and to it the statement
was made that France denied the right
of other allies to reduce the French
claim on Germany since the amount
of reparations has been fixed and ap-.
portioned; and that the French gov
eminent would not consider reduction
Of the PREPARATIONS unless the war
debts were reduced proportiOnately.
The latter proposition, Of course,
would put the matter up to the United
States, which up to the present has
shown no disposition to scale down the
vast amounts owed her by other ma
lions. Meanwhile there hangs over
Europe the menace Of independent ac-
ton by France against Germany.
EXASPERATED by the continual
IL and increasing warfare in Ireland
between the Sim Feiners and the u
ster folk, the British government has
undertaken to resume control of the
situation. Large reinforcements were
sent to the troops already in the island
and vigorous attacks were made on
the republicans who infested the bor-
der and regions adjacent. The British
used airplanes and small war vessels
with telling effect. The Free State
leaders and the British government
are discussing changes in the Irish con-
stitution which the latter demands,
and both sides are awaiting the Dali
elections, which come on June 16. 1t
has been surmised that the De Valera
faction might win more seats because
Of the bitter feeling aroused by the
fighting, and indeed it was intimated
that the fighting was instigated for
that purpose.
COVIET Russia, having failed to
~ brighten the rest Of the world into
giving it large credits, has resumed
its old uncompromising attitude. For
eign Minister Tchitcherin, who says
he is not going to the conference at
The Hague. declares Russia win not