HEARING BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY
OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MARCH 23, 1900,

ON THE BILL "TO LIMIT THE MEANING OF THE WORD 'CONSPIRACY,'
AND ALSO THE USE OF RESTRAINING ORDERS AND INJUNC-
TIONS,' AS APPLIED TO DISPUTES BETWEEN EMPLOYERS
AND EMPLOYEES IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
AND TERRITORIES OR ENGAGED IN COMMERCE
BETWEEN THE SEVERAL STATES, DISTRICT

72

OF COLUMBIA, AND TERRITORIES,

AND WITH FOREIGN NATIONS."

DECEMBER 20, 1900.-Ordered to be printed, to accompany S. 4233.

WASHINGTON:

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.

1900.

OL COMCHEZO

~g.c, 7. Sept. 2/02.. EL Oct. 30/07

CONSPIRACIES AND INJUNCTIONS.

COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY,
Friday, March 23, 1900.

The Committee on the Judiciary this day met, Hon. George W. Ray, chairman, presiding.

The CHAIRMAN. We agreed to give a hearing this morning to Mr.
Gompers, who is to be here, and some other gentlemen who desire to
be heard regarding a bill. Can you tell me the number of it?
Mr. MORRISON. It is H. R. 8917.

[H. R. 8917, Fifty-sixth Congress, first session.]

A BILL to limit the meaning of the word " conspiracy" and also the use of "restraining orders and injunctions" as applied to disputes between employers and employees in the District of Columbia and Territories, or engaged in commerce between the several States, District of Columbia, and Territories, and with foreign nations.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That no agreement, combination, or contract by or between two or more persons to do, or procure to be done, or not to do, or procure not to be done, any act in contemplation or furtherance of any trade dispute between employers and employees in the District of Columbia or in any Territory of the United States, or who may be engaged in trade or commerce between any Territory and another, or between any Territory or Territories and any State or States, or the District of Columbia, or with foreign nations, or between the District of Columbia and any State or States, or foreign nations, shall be deemed criminal, nor shall those engaged therein be indictable or otherwise punishable for the crime of conspiracy if such act committed by one person would not be punishable as a crime, nor shall such agreement, combination, or contract be considered as in restraint of trade or commerce, nor shall any restraining order or injunction be issued with relation thereto. Nothing in this act shall exempt from punishment, otherwise than as herein excepted, any persons guilty of conspiracy, for which punishment is now provided by any act of Congress, but such act of Congress shall, as to the agreements, combinations, and contracts hereinbefore referred to, be construed as if this act were therein contained.

The CHAIRMAN. Are the gentlemen here who desire to be heard regarding this proposition?

Mr. MORRISON. Mr. Chairman, as representing the Federation of Labor, we have here Mr. Darrow, who would like to be heard.

The CHAIRMAN. What is your name?

Mr. MORRISON. Frank Morrison, secretary of the American Federation of Labor.

The CHAIRMAN. Where do you live?

Mr. MORRISON. 423 G street.

The CHAIRMAN. Who are the other gentlemen?

Mr. MORRISON. The others are Mr. C. S. Darrow, of Chicago, Ill.; Mr. Thomas I. Kidd, of Chicago, vice-president of the American Federation of Labor: Mr. John B. Lennon, of Bloomington, Ill., treasurer of the American Federation of Labor; Mr. Max. Morris, of Denver, Colo., vice-president of the American Federation of Labor, and Mr.