Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1894-09-08
srnrKrns knr EXAMINED.
street Cars Are to he Considered Ms
EnRngrd In Interstate Commerce.


Chicago, H.. Sept, THE examina-
tion Of railway strikers was begun to-
day In the trial of the American Rail-
way Union officials. switehman
krieger OF the Chicago. Milwaukee and
st, Paul testified that Con McAulifro.
head OF the Milwaukee American Rail-
way Union. had come to him with
request from Debs that all the MIL
waukee railway men strike.
"McAuliffe said that Debs was sure
we would win" the witness said, and
urged us to go out. replied that II
We could be assured that our places
would be secure Il the strike should be
lost. that the men would strike. Not
many OF them went out however"
y fireman ON the st. Paul road testi-
fled that he had left his place because
OF intimidation and an engineer ON the
same line said he was told that II he
did not leave his engine he would
never get out OF Chicago alive.
William 1. Henry OF Kankakee,
switchman in the employ OF the
Illinois, Indiana and Iowa railway
was the next witness and one OF the
most Important offered by the govern
mcnt because he had personally re-
ccived a telegram ordering him 10 call
out the men. Mr. Irwin objected to
the testimony because II concerned "A
road not included In the Injunction, but
the court decided to admit the evidence
as possibly throwing light ON the in
tentions OF the respondents. Replying
TO Mr.. Walker the Witness produced
several kilograms he received at
KankalSee signed H.. V. Debs, All OF
these he read. The first was received
by the witness on july /, and read;
Adopt measures to get Big Four out.
Promise protection TO ALL whether
members or not. Appoint good COM
mittee and wire name Of chairman"
At that time witness was q member OF
the American Railway Union. Witness
showed the telegram when he received
II to several swltchmen but took no
further action. During the trial today
Judge Woods expressed the opinion
that street car lines can be considered
as engaged In Interstate commerce be-
cause persons enroute TO railway sta
lions to take trains for distant points
ride In them. He also declared the
business of the union stock yards to be
Interstate commerce.
At the afternoon session several Wit
efses testified to acts of violence COM
mitted at various points during the
strike. Their evidence was objected to
by the defense on the ground that 1t
was wholly foreign to the Issue, be-
cause II did not show that any OF the
actual defendants In the cuse-Debs,
Howard, Keliher. Rogers or any other
director OF the American Railway
union--were In any way connected with
the disturbances
Mr. Walker. assistant United States
attorney. replied that he would show
how the connection came later, and the
farAFunflN 4ImNitttaI lac the
court upon that assurance The de-
fence also objected to all testimony
that dealt with the acts Of the strikers
before July ., the day on which the
Injunction OF Judges Woods and Gross
cup. the basis Of the contempt suits.
were posted In overrullng this OBJ
lection the court said that such evil
deuce was admitted 10 show that the
situation on the days succeeding the
posting OF the injunction was not bet
ter than before, or in other words, that
no attention was paid to the orders OF
the court
Just before the afternoon session nd
journed Mr.. Erwin arose and burst into
II hot denunciation OF the methods pur-
sued by the governments attorneys.
He said: "The government has no
more right to lay before your honor
this strained condition Of public duty
lUuH II ilhN ~ WA NAAN IhhaN -
prC ceeding."
Judge Woods seemed surprised Mt Mr..
Trwin's sudden break, then, leaning
forward In his chair. calmly said: 1.-THE
court OF course, gives counsel credit for
candor In all thre OF his objections and
has not announced to the contrary In
one way or another and so far as
the burden thrown on the court Is
concerned, the court Will necessarily
have 10 bear IT, But II IS expressly
nverred in the information that these
scenes Of violence did 10 on and that
your people were responsible for them.
Now, / don't pretend to know or say
or guess how far the government can
carry it's proof in that respect. but
/ don't see because one witness has
testified TO thing that have not the
right To allow another 10 testify TO the
same thing OF course 50 far ms the
public is concerned. II IL desirable
thai no mistake should be made and
I intend II will be the responsible duty
OF the court 10 put the matter IN shape
that the public win understand how
we have proceeded
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