The professional world. (Columbia, Mo.) 1901-192?, 1903-03-06
RAMSEY SENDS ANSWER
PRESIDENT OF WABASH ROAD
REJECTS ALL DEMANDS.
Present Rate Must Stand Until other
Lines Pay More-Injunction Grant
ed By Judge Adams Prevents Gull
mination OF the Threatened Strike
What Morrissey Says Of the In
junction.

st. Louis, March AFTER consider
ing the demands set forth in a letter
sent him by committees representing
Wabash trainmen and flremen, Presi-
dent Ramsey made a reply in a letter
of considerable length. He says the
Wabash pays more for firing than most
other roads, and reminds firemen while
their demands of last November was
$40 he gave them $3.50 and that two
days later they asked for an increase to
$3.50. He says the present rate will
stand until other lines pay more. He
reiterates the declaration that the de-
mand for an increase will not be on
coded east of the Mississippi until COM
petitive roads make an advance. AS to
double-heading, he says the company
declines to do more than to discourage
mountaineering as much as possible. He
says In conclusion that when rates on
the Wabash are not as fair as those of
competitors it will be corrected.
In an interview later President Ram
sey expressed the opinion that with en-
gineers and conductors at their posts
there will be little difficulty in running
trains.
The Injunction Granted.
The injunction granted by Judge
Adams of the United States district
court prevented the elimination of the
threatened strike of LOO Wabash rail-
road employees. The injunction is tenn
porary and a most sweeping instrument
and effectually blocked any strike pro-
ceedings. In part, it reads:
I'VE, therefore, do strictly command
you, until further order, of court, abso-
lutely to, desist and refrain from in any
way or manner ordering, coercing, per-
suading, inducing or otherwise causing.
directly or indirectly, the employees of
the said Wabash Railway company to
strike or quit the service of said com-
pany."
Persons against whom this injunction
is issued may appear in court at any
time and present a plea to have the
injunction dissolved, or if no n asks
that it be dissolved it may be made
permanent.
After the injunction was issued Ram
sey replied to the letter of the grievance
committee practically rejecting all their
demands. The trainmen's committees
met and discussed the situation, but
took no action, pending a consultation
with attorneys.
What Morrissey Says.
P. H. Morrissey, grand master of the
trainmen, has issued a signed statement
which cites the result of the vote by
which the men authorized the officers to
declare a strike on the Wabash, and
discusses the Injunction issued by Judge
Adams. He says the injunction will be
respected because we recognize that
until dissolved it is law. While we view
the action of the court as subversive of
American rights and privileges, we be-
lieve it contrary to common justice and
fairness, but utter no defiance to its
mandate and indulge in no heroics. We
will, however, contest the proceedings
to the end"
Morrissey criticises President Ram
sey's course in resorting to injunction
proceedings after having declared he
did not fear a strike and would easily
fill the mems places" Morrissey then
offers, II Ramsey withdraws the writ,
to leave the matter at issue wholly to
the decision of a committee of his en-
ployes having the matter in charge and
abide by the result"
Ramsey said the injunction would not
affect the company's employees, and that
he will go on dealing with them as
usual. He said if the strike takes place
it will be due to outside interference,
and it is this the order is intended to
reach. He insists the Wabash employees
are satisfied and would have remained
satisfied if left to their own accord