The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1903-03-04


that with our engineers and conductors
working, our trains would move even
if there should be a strike''
The following signed statement was
given out tonight by P. S. Morrissey,
grand master of the Brotherhood Of
Railway Trainmen:
1.-The firemen and trainmen employed
on the Wabash system, by decisive
vote, authorized the committees repre-
senting them and the officers of their
organizations to declare a strike if the
wage scales and other working condi-
tions which they had presented to the
management were not granted. This
course was decided upon only after
every other honorable method to induce
the company to give them deserved
consideration had failed. Their deter
mination to take this step was deliber-
ately reached, as their personally writ
ten signatures will attest. They chose
to hazard their employment and the
consequences to themselves and their
families that might follow rather than
to hold longer the relation of the only
railway employees of this section, who
could not meet their managing officers
on terms of equality and be accorded
equal wages and similar treatment CIV
en- employees of their class on other
lines. Some idea of their situation may
be conceived when 1t is known that the
division officials of the Wabash would
not meet a committee Of their employees
to hear or discuss matters of complaint.
There was no question of recognition
of organized labor to prejudice the is
sue, even though the influence Of the
employees was exerted through their or
ganization, as their action could not
have been made effective or intelligent
ly directed by another method.
'"Fo prevent the men from carrying
out their determination to defend their
position In proper and legal way, the
company applied to-, and was granted
an injunction by, Judge Adams, of the
United States court, restraining the or
ganizations: their officers, the commit
tee and all concerned from directly or
indirectly sanctioning the procedure
agreed upon by the employees them
selves. TO this command, as law-abid-
ing citizens and organizations, we bow
in submission. We will respect it, be-
cause we recognize that, until dissolv-
ed, it is the law. q.
while we view the action Of the
court as subversive Of American rights
and privileges, and, we believe, contra
ry to common justice and fairness, we
utter no defiance to Its mandate and
indulge in no heroics. We will, how
ever, contest the proceeding to the end
for, if Judge Adams order is written
into the laws of our country, organiza-
ton of labor, which is to-day the hope
and protection of those who toll, can
no longer contribute its benefcent IN
fiuences in bettering the condition OF
the working people. In this effort we
believe we will have the support not
only of organized labor everywhere, but
of all right-thinking citizens who are
lovers of human rights.
AS to the action of President Ramsey
in this connection we leave the public
to be Judge. For years he has boasted
of his contempt for labor organizations.
He liked the distinction it brought him
of being the one managing officer in this
section who could get along without
them.' Every previous effort of erll-
ployes to meet and deal with him had
proved futile. He did not fear a strike;
would easily fill the mems places. He
refused to be longer bluffed or cajoled.
They told him they would strike if
their requests were not granted. He
knew they were in earnest and that he
could not handle the. situation. as on
previous occasions. Instead Of meeting
it squarely and operating his property
without the men, il he were able to do
so as he has so often said, the ability
which he has asserted heretofore, seems
to have deserted him and he takes ref
uge behind the injunction, the men are.
legally enmeshed and must accept with
out protest. under penalty of imprison-
ment, the working conditions which he
chooses to impose. .4a
''If he has faith in his assertion that
the purpose of the injunction goes no
further than to prevent outsiders from
interfering with his employees If he will
withdraw the writ, the officers of the or
ganization will agree to leave the mat
ter wholly to the committee of his en-
ployes having the matter in charge and
abide the result.
(Signed) "P. H. Morrissey, r.
Grand Master B. R. T."
HOWARD A. HINKLE.