The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-09-08
Important Opinion Expressed by Judge
Woods Regarding Street-Car Lines
aud Chicago Stock Yards.
LABOR LEADERS EXCITED
Sweating System Vigorously De-
nounced by Mr.. Gompers.
President Cleveland Called the Hang
man Jack ketch of the White House"
by Agitator John SwintOn.

CHICAGO, Sept. THE examination %
railway strikers was begun to-day In the
trial of the American Railway Union OIL
Gals. Switchman Krieger. OF the Chicago,
Milwaukee & ST. Paul. testified that Con-
rad McAulife. head OF the Milwaukee A. T.
L, had come to him with a request from
Debs that all the Milwaukee railway men
strike. "McAuliffe said that Debs WAS sure
we would win," the witness said, "ani
urged US to go out / replied that II We
could be assured that our places would oe
secure il the strike should be lost that the
men would strike. Not many OF them went
out. however"
fireman on the ST. Paul road testified
that ne had left his place because OF in
tlmidation. and an engineer on the same
Hne said he was told that IL ne did not
leave his engine he would never get out CT
Chicago alive.
William l. Henry. OF Rankakee. switch
man in the employ OF the Illinois. Indiana
B Iowa railroad. was the next witness a1d
one Of the most important offered by tae
government, because he had personally Re-
ccived a telegram ordering him to call out
the men. Mr. Irwin objected TO tie testi-
rrony because it concerned a road not in
cided to admit the evidence as possibly
throwing light on the Intentions of the
respondents Replying to Mr.. Walker. the
witness produced several kilograms he re-
eelved at Kankakee. signed f. Y, Debs.
All of these he read. The first was received
by witness on July !. and read: Adopt
measures to get Biz. Four out. Promise
protection to all. whether members or not
Appoint good committee and wire name OF
chairman" At tha: time witness was a
member Of the A. R. L. Witness showed
the telegram when ne received II to several
switchmen, but took 10 further action.
In the hearing today Judge Woods ex-
pressed the opinion tat street-car lines can
be considered engaged IN Interstate COM
merce because persons Ell route 10 railway
sta tions to take trains for distant points
| ride In them. lie also declared the business
| Of the Union stock yards TO be Interstate
commerce.
At the afternoon session several Wit
nesses took the stand ard tesrsfied TO acts
| OF violence committed at various points dur
| ing the continuance OF the strike. Their
| evidence was strenuousy objected 10 by
| the defense, on the ground that il was
! wholly foreign 10 the issue, because IL did
| not show taat any OF the actual defend
| ants in the case-Debs, Howard keliher:
Rogers any of the other directors or
| the American Railway Union-were in any
way connected with such disturbances. Mr..
Walker. assistant United States attorney.
always replied that he would show how
the connection came later. and the evidence
| was promptly admitted 10y the court upoa
that assurance. TIE deFenSe also oDJecte1
| to all testimony that dealt with the acts
| OF the strikers before July 2. the day on
/ which the Injunction of Judges Woods and
4 Grosscup, the basis of the contempt suits,
| was posted. In overruling this oDJecton
the court said that such evidence was aa-
mitted TO show that the situation OF the
| days Immediately succeeding the postng OF
the Injunction was no better than before.
| or i'm other words, that no attention was
| paid TO the orders of the court.
| Just before the afternoon session ad-
| iourned Mr. Erwin arose and burst into A
| heated denuncation of the methods pr
| sued bv the governments attorneys. re
| said: 1.-The government has no more rlga :
| TO Law before your Honor r1is straine1
| condition of public duty than IL has 10 Ve1
| the public by this proceeding.
! Judge Woods seemed surprised al Nr-
/ Erwin's sudden break; then. leaning for
| ward in his chair. calmly said: The court,
| of course. gives counsel credit for candor
| in all of his objections. and has not a.
| nounced TO the contrary in one way or an
| other. and so far as burden thrown on the
| court is concerned, the court VIII neces-
| sarily have to bear IL. But il is expressly
| scenes of violence did go on. and that your
| neople were responsible for them Now !
| don't pretend to know or say or guess nov
far the government can carry It's proof IN
| ,nat respect but 7 don't see because on
| witness has testified 10 a thing tnat nave
| ~ the same thing. OF course so far as the
rari)Iic is concerned. II is desirable tnat nc
| mistake snail be made ana ~ VIII De tne
resnonslble duty OF the court 10 put the
| matter i'm shape so that the public viii un-
derstand how we nave proeeeoeu.