The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-02-04
JUSTICE ASKED
FOR LABOR BY
COLLEGE HEAD
Curb on IniunCtionS Urged
by Famed Fighter for
Rights of Workers.
ELOQUENT PLEA VOICED
Father Mcguire Cheered to
Echo as He Speaks at
Statehouse.

Injunction in labor disputes do
nothing but take from the laboring
classes the i1lalienable rights guar
anteed them by the American Con-
stitution. 1t tends to give working
men a ranking sense of injustice
and lends truth to the charge that
our government is no longer free,
but a government by injunction.
Our forefatherS shed their blood
that tyranny of this kind should
vanish forever from the earth. An
abuse of power is always tyranny,
whether that abuse comes from a
judge or any one else"
In such stirring terms did the Rev.
j. w. r. Mcguire, president of st.
Viator college, Kankakee, Ill, seek
to arouse public interest and legis-
lative favor for the injunction limi-
tation bill at hearing before judi
ciary A committee in the house Of
representatives Tuesday night.
Fighter for Justice
The bill is backed by the Indi-
ana State Federation of Labor and
Father Mcguire was brought in as
its advocate. He is noted through
out the country as a fighter for So
cial justice.
Every seat in the house was filled
and round upon round of applause
greeted the speaker as he urged en-
actment of the bill as a step toward
preservation of the rights of free
men.
He told of his part in passage of
a similar measure in Illinois and
pointed out that it has had bene-
fetal results there since it became
a statute in 1925.
The bill merely would forbid the
use of injunctionS in labor dis
puteS, leaving free their use in all
matters of equity where no statute
provides relief.
eff this merely were a political
matter, I would not appear here, -
the priest declared. For canon law
forbids that engage in political
affairs. But this transcends all
political action.
Vital to People
Here is a measure upon which
the social and economic welfare of
our people depends. Government
must mean the greatest good to the
greatest number and no legislature
can afford to be Indifferent to the
welfare Of industry" he declared.
There are higher rights than
property rights and no lawful
property right but is protected
by this BILL" he asserted. "A
fundamental principle Of liberty is
involved here. Tt is to restore to
the working class the freedom that
should be theirs.
IF this bill fails, Indiana still
will see the day when a legislature
will pass such a law in defense of
both natural and constitutional
rights"
Real Silk Policy Defended
J. A. Goodman, chairman of the
board of Real Silk, appeared against
the bill and declared he was doing
SO for the sake Of his employees. He
represented that they were saved
from striking by an Injunction
against labor organizers and that
peace and harmony prevail, because
their company organization forbids
them the right to join labor union.
Charles Leeke, head of the COM
pany contract organization, came
forward to tell about it, under
questioning by Representative Jacob
Weiss Dem, Mariom, committee
member.
Later Father Mcguire inquired if
employers thought that the ends of
justice would be served if the unions
were so strong that they could re-
quire employers to sign a contract
not to join an employers associa-
ton.
Yockey Opposes Bill
Attorney Harry Jockey appeared
to protest the bills passage for the
indianapolis Associated Employers.
He said the measure ignores indi-
vidual rights.
IF Indiana labor was organized
fully this state would see an era of
prosperity such as it never has
seen before, in my opinion" Father
Mcguire declared, in closing on the
bills behalf.
VIII Y I