Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-04-10

MILWAUKEE, WIS, AprlI s.-1 ne
spectacle of United States Judge on
trial before Congressional Committee
is now being presented in Milwaukee.
At 3 o'clock this afternoon Congress
men Boatner, of Louisiana, Tarry, OF
Arkansas, and Stone, ef Pennsylvania,
composing q subcommittee OF the Judi
ciary Committee of the House Of Repre-
sentatives, began the investigation OF
Judge Jenkins famous Northern Pacific
strike injunction.
During the afternoon, E. E. Clark.
representing the Order of Railway Con-
ductors, and T. P. Sargent, represent
ing the Order of Railway Firemen were
sworn.
Attorney Harper, representing a rail-
way employees organization, Attorney
Curtis, of New York, representing the
receivers. and Attorney Miller, Of this
city, who assisted him, were present.
Receivers Payne, and Oakes, and
ex-senator John c. Spooner were also
interested spectators, as were Messrs.
Arthur, Sargent, Wilkinson, Ramsay
and Clark, chiefs Of the various broth
erhoods of railway employees.
CHAIRMAN BoATNER OPENED
the session by giving a simple outline Of
what the committee had been instructed
to do, its authority, etc. He said the
committee wished especially to ascer-
tain how far ann in what respects the
order had oppressed the employees and
Just how the men construed the order.
Grand Chief Clark, OF the Order OF
Cond dnctors, was sworn. He said his
organization provided that committee
representative OF all the conductors in
particular lines snail look into griev-
ance and report to him. He continues:
~ also look into the matter and
II think the facts warrant whatever
action the committee may decide to
take, give my sanction. III the COM
mittee have ascertained that there is
sufficient cause, and two-thirds OF the
employees on the road affected want a
strike they so report to me. / can then
investigate and il see that there is no
chance for arbitration | can sanction
the committees report and a legal
strike is on."
Without this sanction, he said, the
strike would be illegal. He said that in
the case OF the
NORTHERN PACIFIC ROAD:
"Onr committee went to St. Paul.
December 10, to see what could be done
to avoid reduction Of wages and a
change In the schedule. The officials
of the road and the committee arranged
for a meeting December 10. On that
date the committee called and was in
formed by General Manager Kendrlck
that things were not then in shape for
a conference, but that they would be
December 21."
Decent Der 10 is the date upon which
the Injunction was granted, is 1t not?"
asked Mr.. Boatner.
"Yes, the first injunction. Decem-
ber 2lst the committee called at the
Office of Mr.. Kendrick and conference
was held"
"And is not it . fact" put in Attor-
ney Harper, that a secret Injunction
was issued the day before?"
mo a supplemental injunction was
granted December %. At the confer
encs held December 21, however, the
representative of the road
WITHHELD THE ANSWER
until December 26."
"Then before the answer was given,
asked Mr.. Boatner. "this supplemental
Injunction was issued?"
Eyes SIR"
Mr.. Clark said the road bad given
the employees notice some time before II
was proposed TO reduce wages that such
action had been taken. He had not
been served with the Injunction, al
though a United States Marshal had
hunted for him. MIR. Clnrk felt
bound by the order, however, and
would not have sanctioned strike
under the circumstances. He said
also that ths men felt bound
by the order not to quit the employ Of
the road and could not strike. He did
not think the injunction had done any
harm so far as the Northern Pacihe's
employees were concerned, but IL had
been harmful in general way to work
inRmen.
Mr.. Ssrgent's testimony was prac-