The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-03-25
STR|KEBREAKER
CURB ASKED
|N.b|LL !.
Congressman Wolff Introduces
Measure Designed to Re-
strict Use of Labor.
BY TOM EVERETT,
Cosmopolitan News Service.


Large forces Of professional strike.
breakers and private detectives that
are generally maintained at central
points throughout the United States.
and are the shock troops of EN-.
ployers during strikes, will have
their activities curbed, according to
Congressman j. Scott Wolff, Demo.
crat, Of Missouri, who has intro.
duced bill seeking that object.
Wolrr today said his bill, upon
Whlch hearings have been had by
the House Labor Committee, will be
favorably reported out by that COM
mittee shortly. Such friends of
labor as Frederick N. Zihlman, Of
Maryland; J. D. Beck, Of Wisconsin;
Mrs. Mae E. Nolan, Of California;
Joe y. Manlove, of Missouri: Victor
L. Berger, OF Wisconsin,; William u
Upshaw. OF Georgia; Meyer Jacob
stein of New York, and Luther A.
Johnson OF Texas, are members Of
the committee.
Wolff's bill provides, THAT 1t shall
be unlawful for any person to i'm
port, transport. or induce. or caused
TO be imported, transported, or in.
duced, labor from one State to any
point in another State where a labor
disturbance or strike is in progress
unless said labor shall then and
there be made acquainted with all
conditions affecting labor as they
then exist at said point Of disturb
ance or strike"
500 Minimum Penalty.
The bill provides a penalty Of not
less than 500 nor more than 81 900
for each violation. Each day every
individual violates the act, even t.
the extent of remaining at the place
of disturbance, will constitute a
separate and distinct offense.
Wolff pointed to the riot at Her.
rim, ILL.,, in which a score or more
of imported strikebreakers were kill
ed while barricaded within the mine
owners premises. He said many cf
these unfortunate victims were car.
ried to Herrin during the night time,
not knowing where they were being
sent. He said they were recruited
by professional strike breakers AMI
by private detective agencies. He
claimed that many of these men
would not have gone to Herrin had
they known where they were going,
and what they We're to do after
they got there.
Wolff said that many men have
been induced. under similar circum-
stances, to go to the mining districts
of West. Virginia and other States
for the purpose of breaking strikes.
He said he believed most of them,
in such cases, are misled by the pro-
fessional strike-breakers and private
detective agencies employing them.
who, as rule, hold out the prom
Use and temptation of easy work
and high wages.
Make For Fewer Strikes.
IF these men are in advance
fully acquainted with the cause Of
the conflict" said Wolff, land with
the developments of the strike, and
If 1t Is made impossible by law TO
recruit strike-breakers by represent.
ing that there are no labor troubles
We will have fewer strikes and bet.
ter labor conditions generally"
THE passage of this act will
strengthen the spirit Of the Ameri.
can people in another way. Their
sense of right and justice will not
be violated by seeing the military
forces of the States and the nation
called out to protect the private in.
terests Of the employers Of labor.
1 believe my bill, If passed by Con.
gress, will very materially reduce
these instances of violation of our
civil rights by the use of the mill.
tary forces"