The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1940-05-16
ANTITRUST

operative. Public policies conform to our concepts
of the basic purposes of society and government.
Under democratic institutions, and the demo-
cratic ideals on which Society bases it's policies,
our laws should provide for all groups equal oppor
tunities for lfe liberty and the pursuit OF happ-
ness. Equal opportunity does not mean ldentlcal
opportunity consequently the needs OF each group,
it's functions and it's contribution to Society must
be studied as the basis for fundamental legislation
Over the period of our history, the United States
has changed from an agricultural to an industrial
nation, from rural to an urban life. This means
decline in our population of those dependent upon
agriculture for living with corresponding in
crease in the population dependent upon transpor-
tation, manufacture, and the service industries.
This shift in occupation means that an increased
proportion of our population are dependent upon
current income for the necessares OF hfe-food,
clothing rent and whatever constitute the accepted
standard of living. If persons earning their living
as wage-earners are to enjoy the right to life, b-
erty and the pursuit of happiness they must have
the right and opportunity as workers to advance
their material and personal Well-belng
Early in the industrializaton of our country
wage-earners protested the idea that collective ac-
tion for redress of grievances or establishment OF
rights conspiracy and therefore illegal SLOW
ly the principle became established in law and judi
cia precedent that unions are legal agencies which
have the right to seek their ends by legitimate
methods. Then the struggle shifted to inJunctlons
that sought to undermine and pare down the gains
by restricting workers actions IN industrial dis
W
law was invoked against unions of workers, so that
their treasures were wasted in defending workers
against injustice in the courts and their civil rights
were practically nullfed. After years of struggle
relief was won through the labor sections of the
Clayton Antitrust Act, the NOrris-L La(uardia Act
Section Ia of the National Recovery Act, and fin
ally the National Labor Relation Act
AS individuals workers pOWeress to present
their claims to an employer and get consideration
that would result in mutually satisfactory con.
tract, to equalize the bargaining power OF wage
earners and employers, wage-earners have been
given the right to organize in unions to choose
representation to bargain n collectively Tor the
group. When Congress wrote INTO laws a federa
guarantee of Wage-earners right to collective bar
gaining new era in labor relations was inaugu
rated. Workers tok advantage of this right to or
ganZe and union organization proceeded at an un
precedented rate. Until the courts ruled upon this
new legislation there was still uneasness anC
doubt When the highest court in the land upheld
the statute the danger seemed "a t: Then
strange thing happened. From the administrative
agency Labor had right to expect maintenance
of their new rights came attack to rob them O
the fruits of their victory. division within the
Department of Justice began systematic attacks
on unions. Preceding under antitrust law and lg
noring the purposes OF union activity, the Depart
ment seeks to deal with union activities as conspi
racies. Selecting such judicial opinions as fittet
their purposes this division in written statemen
and formal proposal announced its desire to ru
upon standards for Labor and industry in field
when nave Deeh uhdef pllVate coliIlol. mere '"
have an example of administrative aggression
which would defeat the will of the laWmakins
branch. Congress never intended that the rlgh
to organize in unions for purposes of collective bar
gaining should be supervised by antitrust division
of the Department of Justice with power to fl
standards for exercising this right
The real purpose Of this antitrust persecution
is obviously desire to regiment unions under dis
cretionary authority. The ultimate purpose ma
be to give aid and support to factions secedin
from the American Federation of Labor but
clearly has nothing to do with move to punis
criminals. There is ample opportunity to procee
against crime without invoking antitrust law. Th
net result of the indictments that have been Sc
cured will not be justice for unions do not hav
the funds to fight these cases through so that aC
ministrative aggression may be curbed, and worl
ers' rights to union membership in order to ao
vance their interests and welfare clearly defined
The legitimate and necessary activity of unior