[610]. “In many of the cases the element of combination or conspiracy is found. If the act be lawful, the combination or conspiracy to commit it does not make the act unlawful; if it be unlawful, the combination to commit it may render its commission easier and may aggravate the injury; but it does not change the character of the act. The fact of combination is treated by the courts as of great evidentiary value in deciding the question of coercion or duress.” Burke, J., in Sumwalt Ice Co. v. Knickerbocker Ice Co., 114 Md. 403, 414.
“The gist of a civil action of this sort is not the conspiracy but the deceit or fraud causing damage to the plaintiff, the combination being charged merely for the purpose of fixing joint liability on the defendants.” Rugg, J., in New England Foundation Co. v. Reed, 209 Mass. 556.
See also Romer, L. J., in Giblan v. National Amalgamated Union, [1903] 2 K. B. 600, 619–620. But compare Henshaw, J., in Vallejo Ferry Co. v. Solano Club, 165 Cal. 255.
[611]. Intimidation. See Springhead Co. v. Riley, 6 Eq. 551 (intimidating placards); Southern R. Co. v. Machinists Union, 111 Fed. 49; Knudsen v. Benn, 123 Fed. 636; Atchison R. Co. v. Gee, 139 Fed. 582; Pope Motor Co. v. Keegan, 150 Fed. 148 (collection of large crowd); Allis Chalmers Co. v. Iron Molders’ Union, 150 Fed. 155 (crowds); Goldfield Consolidated Mines Co. v. Goldfield Miners’ Union, 159 Fed. 500; Kolley v. Robinson, (C. C. A.) 187 Fed. 415; Fortney v. Carter, (C. C. A.) 203 Fed. 454; Bittner v. West Virginia Coal Co., (C. C. A.) 214 Fed. 716; Goldberg v. Stablemen’s Union, 149 Cal. 429; Underhill v. Murphy, 117 Ky. 640; Sherry v. Perkins, 147 Mass. 212 (intimidating banner); Ideal Mfg. Co. v. Ludwig, 149 Mich. 133 (crowd); Baltic Mining Co. v. Judge, 177 Mich. 632; Minnesota Stove Co. v. Cavanaugh, 131 Minn. 458; Jones v. Maher, 62 Misc. 388; O’Neil v. Behanna, 182 Pa. St. 236; Jensen v. Cooks’ Union, 39 Wash. 531; Commercial Printing Co. v. Tacoma Typographical Union, 85 Wash. 234.
Picketing, see American Steel Co. v. Wire Drawers’ Union, 90 Fed. 608; Iron Molders’ Union v. Allis Chalmers Co., (C. C. A.) 166 Fed. 45; Sona v. Aluminum Castings Co., (C. C. A.) 214 Fed. 936; Karges Furniture Co. v. Woodworkers’ Union, 165 Ind. 421; Beck v. Teamsters’ Union, 118 Mich. 497.
Annoyance of workers resorting to plaintiff. Union P. R. Co. v. Ruef, 120 Fed. 102; Frank v. Herold, 63 N. J. Eq. 443; Jonas Glass Co. v. Glass Blowers’ Ass’n, 77 N. J. Eq. 219.
Inducing employer to break contracts. Read v. Friendly Society, [1902] 2 K. B. 732; Jonas v. Glass Blowers’ Ass’n, 77 N. J. Eq. 219; Flaccus v. Smith, 199 Pa. St. 128.
Inducing employees to break contract. Hardie Tynes Mfg. Co. v. Cruse, 189 Ala. 66; Folsom v. Lewis, 208 Mass. 336; Jonas Glass Co. v. Glass Blowers’ Ass’n, 77 N. J. Eq. 219; Grassi Contracting Co. v. Bennett, 160 N. Y. Suppl. 279.
[612]. This section is as follows: “No person shall, by intimidation or force, prevent or seek to prevent a person from entering into or continuing in the employment of any person or corporation.”
[613]. In accord with the prevailing opinion, see Tunstall v. Stearns Coal Co., 192 Fed. 808; Folsom v. Lewis, 208 Mass. 336; Burnham v. Dowd, 217 Mass. 351; Fairbanks v. McDonald, 219 Mass. 291; Cornellier v. Haverhill Mfr’s Assn, 221 Mass. 554; Blanchard v. Newark District Council, 77 N. J. Law, 389; Ruddy v. United Journeyman Plumbers, 79 N. J. Law, 467, 81 N. J. Law, 574. Compare Giblan v. National Amalgamated Union, [1903] 2 K. B. 600; National Fire Proofing Co. v. Mason Builders’ Ass’n, 169 Fed. 259; Gill Engraving Co. v. Doerr, 214 Fed. 111.