The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-04-19
Vigorous Arraignment Of the Press
and Citizens OF Wheeling for TAX
ing sides with strikers.
"THIS is A FREE COUNTRY"
THE JUDGE SAYS. AND EMPLOYERS
SHOULD NOT BE COERCED.
When the Toiler Does Not Get the ray
Elsewhere, the Judge Contends.

WHEELING, w. Va, April lS.-1nterest
in the street-car strike centeTe6 to-day in
the special term of the United States Court,
Judge Jackson on the bench, for considera-
tion OF cases arising out of violation of the
judges injunction. Four men were tried on
the charge of obstructlng the operation OF
the road and each was given thirty days in
jail and to pay a fine of $50. The men were
James Byrne. John Hoxbaugh, Charles Rel
ter and Waverly Pultz. Before passing
sentence Judge Jackson addressed himself
to the community generally upon the mat
ter of labor strikes. I'm part follows:
The court is here for the purpose OF ad-
ministering the law to this case. IL is not
here for the purpose OF administering SYM
pathy to either the street-railway company
or to those who have been employed by
that company, known as strikers who are
insisting the company increasing their
wages for their services.
This is a free country. In free coun-
try like ours competition in every depart
ment of life is open TO every citizen. He
who by diligent effort acquires not only a
competency but a fortune has a perfect
right to be protected in it. On the other
hand, a laborer of the country who main
tans and supports himself and family by
his daily toll has an equal right 10 be pro-
tected.
1.-The trouble in this case seems to be that
there is an effort on the part OF the en-
ployes of this street railway to force the
employer TO advance their wages. without
knowing whether such action on their part
is justified I'm any respect whatever. Every
employer has right TO look into the ques-
ton as TO what he afford to give for
services rendered TO him, the matter 10 be
determined and decided by the revenues de-
rived from the business in which he is en-
gagged. No employe can determine that, for
the employer alone is possessed of all the
facts upon which he must base his decision
and action. In this case it must be remem-
bered by the employe that the employer Is
just as much interested in maintaining the
operation OF the road and in obtaining rev.
enues from IT as the employe is interested
in obtaining just and fair compensation for
his labor.
whenever there Is not a sufficient re-
muneration upon the part of the employer
for the services OF the employe. let the en-
ploye leave the service Of the employer and
seek other employment.
II understand from the public press that
this community is in sympathy with what
are now known as the strikers. Let me
say now that this is a mistaken sympathy
upon their part. No community can decide,
as such, between the right of the employer
and the employe. They cannot be familiar
with the conditions that have influenced the
employer TO refuse to accede TO the demand
Of the employe on this occasion.
This misguided sympathy is often a
wrongful sympathy and operates not only TO
the prejudice of the parties for whom the
sympathy is expressed. but 10 the injury and
detr.ment OF the public at large Labor VIII
always command capital when capital can
afford 10 pay for IL. Capital will always COM
mand labor when IL feels that IL l. justified
I'm doing so. The effect OF this public sympa-
thy is unfortunate.
Whenever any community undertakes to
set up for itself a standard. and TO enforce
IL by mob violence. oommunistic orders. or
by efforts upon their part which are con
ceived in a spirit OF anarchy and which
lead TO and end in anarchy, then the time
has come when the laws OF the land must
be enforced to control that spirit OF anarchy
Such is the duty OF the court here to-day
The court is here TO enforce law and order.
1t is here to restrain mob violence and TO
prevent interference with the movement OK
the mails Of the United States and to pro-
tect the rights OF citizens Of the United
States under the einterstatc-commerce act"
The street-car strike has resulted in a new
company being incorporated here to-day for
the purpose OF operating in Wheeling and
Benwood The charter was issued TO the
Peoples Railway Company. which was in
corporated with a capital Of $1,000. The
incorporators are Frank l.. McNeilL G.
L. Hill, Gilmore Brown. r. NJ. Hau and
John j. Corin all OF Wheeling.