The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1894-07-27
DEBS is NOW ON TRIAL.
HE MAKES HIS REPLY TO THE CON-
TEMPT CHARGES.
A General Disclaimer That the Heads of
the A. II. u. Had Anything to DO With
Originating the Strike-All kilograms
But One Repudiated.

the A. II. u. Had Anything to DO With
Originating the Strike-AIl kilograms
But One Regulated.
CHICAGO, July 4.-President Debs, by
his attorneys. has replied to the charge of
contempt made against him in the federal
court. Contrary to the expectation or
many the answer is not justification of
his course but a general population OF
nearly all the nets charged against him.
He did not order strike; he did not send
the kilograms imputed to him save one,
and he overstepped his authority in his
letter to the general managers proposing
to call off the strike if the managers
would reinstate all the strikers. This in
brief is his plea.
Never Ordered a Strike.
The answer, which was formulated by
Attorneys w. w. Erwin, of st. Paul, and
5. S. Gregory, of Chicago, opens with the
usual reservation clause covering INSULT
ciencies in the bill of complaint. After
admitting the existence and setting forth
the purposes of the American Railway
Union the defendants deny that on the
Goth and 9th days of June last past, or
u
Union or it's board of directors or other
officers, directed and ordered the men,
bers of said American Railway Union en-
gagged in the service of the Illinois Gen.
trail Railway company, or any other rail-
way company, to leave the service of said
company, as alleged in said information
or otherwise.
Men Struck of Their Own Accord. .
DIT hot
time majority of the members of said
American Railway Union employed upon
the Illinois Central railroad and other
companies referred to in said information
did for themselves, without an order, di-
rection or control of the said American
Railway Union, or of its officers or di-
rect ors, or of these defendants or either of
them voluntarily determine by their
votes that they would strike Or leave the
service of said railway companies and
that in pursuance of such vote said en-
ployes did on or about said time, leave
the service of said railway companies
freely and voluntarily of their own &C
cord.
No Violence by A. II. U. Men.
The reply also denies, on information
and belief, that members of the A. X. u.
committed any violence, and particularly
that defendants at any time advised or
counteuanced violence. 1t is also denied
that the strike was for the purpose of pre-
venting or delaying the operation of trains
engaged in carrying the mails or in inter-
state commerce. The defendants deny
that after the service of the injunction
they or either of them carried Oh the work
of organization other than by generally
advising railroad employees to become
members of such union and receiving to
such membership persons so applying
therefor as aforesaid. And they deny that
any authority to order strikes on or off
lays with the officers or directors of the
A. II. U.
Only One Telegram Admitted.
The most important statement made in
the reply is regarding the origin of tele-
grams. 1t says that of all those produced
by the law officers only one was sent or
authorized by defendants and that one
was of July 6, 1894, as follows: 1--WE have
assurance that within forty-eight hours
every labor organization in this country
will come to our rescue. The fight is on,
and our men are acquitting themselves
like heroes. Here and there one weakens,
but our cause is strengthened by dozen
going out in his place Every true man
must quit now and remain out until the
fight is won. There can be no halfway
ground. Men must be for us or against
us. Our cause is gaining ground daily
and our success is only question of q
few days. Don't falter in this hour.
Stand erect and proclaim your manhood.
Labor must win now or never Our VIC
tory will be positive and complete. What
ever happens do not give credence to
rumors and newspaper reports"