The Holly chieftain., 1922-06-15

preme court, read by Chief Justice
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 1t may
be prosecuted for restraint of inter-
state commerce.
Samuel Gompers, as might be ex-
pected. denounced this decision bitter
ly, saying that 1t set precedent under
which capital "can impose any condi-
tion on the working people Of the coun-
try. and they would not dare resist y
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 mem
bers. no matter how far unrelated
they may be In distance or supervi-
sion."
Unless 1t is nullifled by congression-
al legislation, this decision of the
highest court in the land will power
fully and widely affect the future rela-
tions of union organizations with en-
ployers and with the general public.
% RITISH, Italian and Belgian mem
- 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 1t to make its own In.
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-
tions demanded-$33, ,0O0, 600 OOO-to be
too high. Frances representative,
however, voted in the negative. This
created tense situation, for although
a unanimous vote Is necessary for the
reparations commission to reduce the
sum demanded from Germany, until
1925 only majority vote is needed to
give Germany partial or full mora
tOrium.
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 reparations commits.
sion.
Premier Poincare and President NIL
lerand-who, it may be said, are
backed up completely BY their govern
ment-asked special meeting Of the
commission, and to 1t 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
ernment would not consider reduction
of the reparations 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
tions. Meanwhile there hangs over
Europe the menace of independent ac.
tion by France against Germany.
EXASPERATED by the continual
~ and increasing warfare in Irelant
between the Sim Feiners and the VI
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 or
the republicans who infested the Dor
der and regions adjacent. The British
used airplanes and small war vesseii
with telling effect. The Free Stat,
leaders and the British government
are discussing changes In the Irish con
stitution which the latter demands
and both sides are awaiting the Dai
elections, which come on June 18. I
has been surmised that the De valer,
faction might win more seats becaus.
Of the bitter feeling aroused by tn,
fighting. and indeed 1t was intimate,
that the fighting was instignted 70
that purpose.
COVIET Russia, having failed I
" frighten the rest Of the world int
giving 1t large credits, has resume
Its old incorporating attitude. Fol
eign Minister Tchitcherin, who say
he Is not going to the conference q
! The Hague. declares Russia will nc