The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-03-05
Says He Has Not Expressed
Contempt for Unions
HAS FEAR OF SERIOUS STRIKE
Is Always Willing to Confer With EN-.
ployes of the Wabash to Discuss
Grievances-Mr. Morrlssey
Stands BY Statement.

9t Louis, March 4-President Ramsey
of the Wabash railroad pending further
action by the roads employees, who have
threatened to strike, but who are re-
strained temporarily, at least, by an in
junction secured yesterday by the rail-
road company. today issued the follow
ing appeal to all men in the employ of
the Wabash company:
ITO the Employees of the Wabash Com
pany and Olners Interested:
THE crisis now existing on the Wabash
lines is a very grave one, not only TO
the Wabash company and Its employees,
but also to the commercial and indus
trial interests of the country and the re-
suits might be so serious that the great
anthracite coal strike would dwindle into
insignifcance. Therefore, | make reply to
some msstatements made by Mr.. Nor
rlssey.
Mr.. Morrissey says:
" For years he, QMr Ramsey has
boasted of his contempt for labor organ
izations He liked the distinction 1t
brought Linn of being the ene managing
officer in this section who could get
along without them. Every previous ef-
fort of the employees to meet and deal
with him have proven futile
This statement is absolutely without
truth. l have never expressed contempt
for labor organizations. q may have for
some hot-header. who advocates the rule
or ruin policy.
Has No Objections to Unions.
ION the contrary, 1 have frequently
said to labor leaders, members and others
\ To-, 70 fhnpa han
properly and conservatively conducted,
and when they did not absolutely ignore
individual rights or obligations have
not discharged nor declined to employ
any one on account of membership In an
organization. The Wabash employees are
treated as men with all their rights as
individuals recognized, and as long as
they recognize the rights OF the other
employees and give fair service to the
company, they have the right to join
any church or organization, political, Ia
Lcr or other kid.
During my thirty-three years with
this and other railroads, have never
failed to meet any committee Oh EN-
ployes or any individual employe who
wished to see me, and 1 have met every
committee now here several times, and
three of these meetings were with Messrs.
Hannahan, Lee and Wilkins present. L
met such committees knowing they are
members of organizations duly consti-
tt1ted.' l only say to them, your griev-
ances are as employees of the Wabash and
therefore we confer with you as en-
ployes.'
"Mr. Morrissey says, Mr.. Ramsey
blurred and cajoled the men,.
1.-The truth is, the bluffing and caJol-
ing has been entirely on the part OF the
organization leaders"
All Depends on Injunction.
The labor leaders say that everything
row hinges on the injunction which the
unions will attempt to have dissolved.
Until the restr aiming order shall De done
away with there will be no strike, for
the employees have agreed to obey the
courts OF der.
r. r. irwin of Peoria and e. o. Penny
of Cleveland, attorneys for the tratnmen.
spent the day In conference with H. ii.
Morrissey, S. w. Arnold and other union
leaders, examining the petition on which
the injuno tion was Issued and preparing
an answer that will be presented in court
TT obably tomorrow to secure dlssolu-
tion of the restraining order
President Ramsey tonight said to the
Associated Press: Everything has
keen ru. ming smoothly and there are no
Indicators that our men have gone out
CT will do so sc on. l have not seen any
niembs.s of the grievance committee to-
dSy and BnOW hOthlnS OF WHdl ID Soihs
en- at their headquarters.
Morrlssey Talks.
In speaking of Mr.. Ramseys statement
and of the general situation, Mr.. Nor
rissey grand master of the Brotherhood
of Railway Trainmen, said to the Asso-
ciated Press tonight
"I % not care to enter into wordy con-
troversy through the press with Mr.. Ram
sey. because 1t would not interest the
public and I don't think 1t would be
profitable to either of us. My statement
was based on absolute facts and can be
verified If necessary.
I'VE are going to take steps to dissolve
that injunction. cahnot say just when it
will be accomplished, but possibly in a
day or two.
"Our organization Is committed to the
policy Of arbitration, but we surely would
not arbitrate our privilege to dissolve the
injunction. The injunction is the principal
point before US now. Nothing will be
done until it shall have been deter
mined"
Grand Master Wilkins of the Train
mems association met Messrs. Hannahan
and Morrissey today and assured them
that his men, 1000 strong, were ready to
support the trainmen and firemen, and
would leave work at their bidding