The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-08-23
DIDN'T HAVE TO DO IT
Manager st. John Testities Be-
fore the Strike Commission.
His Road Didn't Have to Haul
Pullman Cars.
READ THE CONTRACT.
But He Didn't Want the News
papers to Get 1t.
Says the Strike Cost the Rock
Island Nearly S1,OOO,OOO.

CHICAGO. Aug. 23.-General Manager
St. John of the Rock Island road was
called before the strike commissioners
today. He had prepared a history Of
the strike as it affected his road and read
10 the commissioners a detailed account
of the troubles.
When he had finished be was asked II
his company blacklisted men. Not in
the sense that the word is gener-
ally understood" said the witness.
When man is discharged from
any Of our divisions We send statement
10 our other divisions that he may not be
re-employed, but no such statement h
sent 10 other roads unlessit is requested"
Can you show US copy Of your CON
tract with the Pullman conpany!' asked
Commissioners herman.
II can show you the contract If you
will regard it AS of private nature. dc
not wish to see it published in the news
papers"
This instrument was read. and Mr. St
John was asked If the contract compell-
ed his company TO haul Pullmans on all
passenger trains
NO was the answer. I'VE can haul
Pullmnns ON any trains we choose, and
need not haul them unless we wish.v
~Ihen you were not compelled 70 haul
Pullmans during the striker"
"NO, we were not"
Ar. St. John was asked as to the num-
Der of strikers who had been taken back
by his company.
eMost Of our men," he said, quit
work through fear; but of the 522 actual
strikers, only seventy-four have been
back"
The witness said that their relations to
labor unions we're regulated 10y the num-
Der of men on their lines belonging 20
the unions. when union has so
per cent or more of our men," he
said, I'VE as a general thing treat with
its representatives. We had no dealings
with the A. r. L., as il had less than SO9
of our employees
Odd YOUR road cut wages last spring
or this summer" asked Commissioner
N sir We cut ous force but not
wages"
.'lIas your road advanced wages with
in the last ten years."
"Yes, We have frequently made iudi-
vidual advances but no general advance
that l remember
"IIow much did the strike cost the
Rock I-iandY" Mr. hernhn asked
Il cannot give exact figures without
reference 10 data. but ! should say tltat
the strike cost our road between $4,000
and 81 ,JOO,OOU."
Nj. 81 John emphat:cally denied the
sta ement thai the United States mar
shals we're controlled by the railroads.
ave asked for protection and fur
nished many Of our employees. who
were sworn in deputy marshala,"
lie said, -but after being sworn in, We
had nothing more 10 do with them. They
were commanded and controlled, ! sup
pose, by the United States marEhals"
The witness said that many OF the
rioters who overturned and burned cars
were strikers. Lie knew this 10
be a fact, he SAID. because muny
of them were recognized by the
Rock Island employees who Witnessed
the lawlessness The commissioners
Questioned Mr.. ST. John very closely re-
garding the control of the deputy United
States marshals as to the statement made
by Chief Detective Donnelly that The
railroads took charge OF the forces during
the strike.