The daily morning journal and courier., 1894-07-25
JUDGE WOODS WARNS DEBS
MUST NOT INTERFERE WITH EM-
 PLOYEs OF RAILROADS.
The Taking Of Testimony win Begin To- day-Howard Says That They Have n Right to Organize and Implied rhrea When He Mads That Statement.


 Right to Organize and Implied Threa
 When He Made That Statement.
 Chicago, July 24.-Long before open- ing hour of the United States circuit court this morning the corridors of the third floor of the Federal building were thronged with people waiting to gain admission to the room where was to be heard the continuation of the argu- ments In the case of Eugene o. Debs, George W. Howard, Sylvester Keliher and Director Rogers of the American Railway union, charged with contempt of court.
 The defendants were brought into court shortly after the opening hour. Judges Woods and Grosscup took their seats at 10:l0 o'clock and the court was declared in session.
 At yesterdays session there was an intimation that the United States court might possibly have no jurisdiction in the case on hearing. While no chal- lenge was made District Attorney Mill christ saw fit to anticipate such this morning by citing authorities to estab- fish the jurisdiction of the court. MT. Milchrist went further, reviewing the information in the bill, arguing that the murders and destruction of property in the present strike were the direct outcome of the teachings, advice and orders of Debs and his associates, sub seauent to the issuance of restraining order by the court.
 Attorney Erwin, for the defense, fol- lowed the district attorney. MT. Ban croft of the Sante Fe railroad began an argument as soon as MT. Erwin had finished. He reviewed mainly the ground that had already been tra- versed.
 While MT. Bancroft continued his citations MT. Howard went into an adjoining room, took off his coat and enjoyed the breeze from an open win dow while he smoked a cigar. MT Howard seemed to be in very good humor. When approached in regard to the hearing he said:
 Well somebody has got to go through with this and 1t might as well be now as at any time. We will simply save further trouble of this kind. We have a perfect right to organize, Che gen. eral managers are organized them selveO and before we get through we will show them so"
 AE,~ Dn~ speaking and Mr.. Howard went back to the court room to hear Mr. Goeting. who was just opening his argument. MT. Goeting in his address scored MT. Pullman quite severely and laid to his record the bloodshed and destruction that in the bill of complaint are attrib- uted to MT. Debs.
 It was 4 o'clock when the arguments were concluded, and 1t took the judges just three minutes to decide upon the question of admissability of testimony which is the only thing considered.
 While the case has criminal charac- teristics," said Judge Woods, '1t Is nevertheless a case of equity. The de- fendant's answer Is not conclusive I want to be out of the city, and as the taking of testimony will require, per haps, two or three weeks, I feel in clined to refer the case to master in chancery"
 This the attorneys on both sides strenuously opposed. District Attorney Milchrist said he could put his evidence in before tomorrow night. Judge Cross cup said he must mean tomorrow night week. After numerous suggestions and promises to hasten the case Judge Woods said he would commence the hearing of the testimony tomorrow morning, but reserved the right to still refer it. if he found that 1t was go- ing to take much time to conclude 1t.
 The judge took occasion to warn the defendants that if they continued to interfere with the employees of rail- roads, even by advice, 1t would be very hard for them in case they were ad- judged guilty of contempt.
 The court was adjourned at 4:80 until to-morrow