The Minneapolis journal., 1903-03-09

long time to have such grievances settled
and adjusted with the Wabash company,
and that they had conferred together and
agreed to present their several grievances
Jointly and insist upon a fair considera-
ton thereof and an adjustment. and In
sisted that such settlement should be made
as a whole and not singly and separately,
as they had heretofore endeavored to bring
about.
Denial Of Strike Threats.
The defendants further deny that they
ever nlaliciously threatened to order
strike, but state that they did represent
to the Wabash that many Of It's employees
had determined to withdraw from its en-
ployments unless it acceded to the rea-
sonable demands and requests; but That
If a strike should occur, it would be a
voluntary act on the part of the employees.
tt is further denied that any attempt
Fes7 made to induce a strike by letter
circulation Of any inf1ammatory letters
lirculars. ~. -. ..
he defendants further deny that the
abash is entitled to the relief prayed
:; and now, having fully answered all
allegations and charges in the bill Of
,mplaint, they deny the same and pray
le same advantage of their answer as
lough they had specifically and sepa-
rately pleaded or demurred to each and
every allegation or charge contained
therein.
Beneficial Associations. g.. ..
In their answer the defendants state
that the Brotherhood Of Locomotive Fire
men and the Brotherhood Of Railway
Trainmen are voluntary beneficial asso-
Citations, that they were organized for
the purpose Of uniting their members and
elevating their social, moral and intel
lectual standard, and for the protection
Z: of their interests and promotion OF their
general welfare. It is the aim OF the
brotherhoods to cultivate a spirit OF har-
mony among the members upon the basis
of equity and justice. The cardinal pr1n-
ciples are protection. charity, sobriety and
industry. With the answer were filed
copies of the constitutions, bylaws, rules
and regulations of the brotherhoods.
Then follows a lengthy description of
the manner, under the bylaws and con-
stitution, in which complaints shall be re-
ceived and investigated and the proceed
ings that shall be followed In endeaVors
to effect the settlement.
Efforts of Settlement.
a. The defendants state that all differences
and grievances now in controversy be-
tween the employees and the Wabash were
initiated from the ranks of the employees
and presented to the respective grievance
committees from time to time and were
by the grievance committees presented to
the officials Of the Wabash railway and
that they were unable to settle the same
and were referred to the joint protective
board which presented them to the presl-
dent of the Wabash road and that he re-
fused to take up or give the grievances
reasonable consideration or adjust the
same with the said protective board.
Then follows transcript OF the records
Of the proceedings Of the protective board
at their meeting in st. Louis, November,
1902, and January, 1908, in the efforts to
effect a settlement.
The defendants further answer that AIT
er each Of the boards and committees OF
the respective organizations had attempt
ed to adjust their several differences and
grievances with the Wabash and had
failed to accomplish their intentions il
was resolved that they should thereafter
work together jointly for the good of al
parties whom they represented: A record
was kept Of all proceedings Of the joint
committees and the boards and the tran
script of this record is also filed as 6
part of the answer.
President Ramsey's Attitude.
Many letters passed between Presiden
Ramsey and the committee having the ad
justment Of grievances In charge. Cop1e!
of these letters were filed as an exhibit
The defendants state that during their at
; tempt to adjust differences with Presi
dent Ramsey it stated by him tha,
he received them only as individuals ant
refused to consider the grievances as be
ing presented by representatives or sount
and respective organizations and tha
thereupon about 1900 of the employees ex
ecuted a written authority to the defend
ants to represent them in demanding ant
securing an adjustment of grievances
When this authority was presented t.
3 President Ramsey he refused to conside
it. The defendants declared that the,
had made every reasonable effort with tn
Wabash to adjust their differences. Thu
defendants jointly and severally deny tina
the complainant is entitled to the relic
or any part thereof as prayed for ant
y hence pray to be dismissed with reason
able costs.
Court was in session but three minutes
during which the answer was filed AM
then an indefinite recess was taken. I
was later agreed upon between the attor
neys for both sides that they will appea
before Judge Adams at 2 o'clock this aft
ernoon for a hearing.