Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-09-11
FOR BLAckLISTING
Grounds of Suit of Henry Rial
Against Various Moline
Manufacturers.
PLAINTIFF A LEADER OF LABOR
Claims TrI-City Association Ill as
Taken Action in His
Case.

OasOs
The suit of Henry Rail, of Moline,
that has just been filed in the circuit
court against Deere d. Mansur com
pany, John w. Good, Charles +.
White and Louis Epp for amounts ag-
gregating $500, is the first of the
kind ever begun in this county. Black
listing is the alleged ground for it, the
last three defendants being charged
with conspiracy. and the action
against the company being for dam
ages.
While no details are given i'll the
praecipe filed, Mr. RIAL has made
statement concerning the circum-
stances that have led to the action.
He says he was employed for many
years by Deere & MaEsur company,
and was let out May 10 last. Prior to
his discharge he was approached by
two men employed in the shop, who,
he says, went to hun and told him
that their wages had been reduced,
and asked him to intercedc for them
with the company with a view of hav-
ing the old wages reinstated. He
states that he approached Superin-
tendent Epp upon the subject and
that the latter denied then that the
men had been cut, though Mr.. Rial
was repeatedly assured BY them that
it was true.
Felt His Danger.
After he had mentioned thi, matter
to Mr.. Epp, the plaintiff alleges that
Mr.. Epp's position toward him chang
ed very much; there was a marked
GOODNESS, and he felt from that time
on that there was impending danger.
Finally, he says, he was told by Epp
that he ORialD was too friendly with
Barclay anyway, and that he had been
ordered to discharge him two weeks
before. Mr.. Barclay was the former
superintendent at Deere & Mansur
Company's.
Rail says he was then informed to
consider his services with the com
pany at an end. The men he had in
tcrccdcd for denied their position. GO
ing back on every statement made TO
him.
Mr.. Rial states that after being out
of work for some time he applied to
Charles Il. Stephens, superintendent
of the Moline Plow company, for a
position. When he informed Mr..
Stephens that he had been in the en-
ploy of Deere d Mansur company and
had been discharged, Mr.. Stephens
said:
What's the matter; are you AN
agitator?"
Mr.. Rail then told him the circum-
stances in detail. and he left with a
promise from Mr.. Stephens that the
latter would probably put him to
clay. who was at that time with the
made. says Mr.. Rail. that he would
be sent for if it was desired to secure
his services.
Nothing Further Heard.
From that time he heard nothing
directly from the promised position,
and he set about an investigation. He
says that he has every reason to be-
lieve that he was b!acklisted by the
Tri-City Manufacturers association,
and, convinced of this, he has entered
the suits noted above for the purpose
of recovering damages from those
who have been instrumental i'm de-
priving him of his employment. Short
ly after he visited Mr.. Stephens Mr..
Rail alleges that the Manufacturers
association held a meeting and he be-
Iieves his name was takcr before the
meeting and he was given rating"
ii method employed by the manufac
turers of blacldisting a man and still
evading the law against open black
listing. 1t is said that if it is desired
to blacklist Il man in the association
he is simply given a rating" and the
members of the organization fully un-
derstand what that means. Mr.. RIAL
says that he has every reason to be-
lieve that he was rated"
At the time Of this trouble. Charles
+. White. then with the Sylvan Steel
works. was an officer of the associa-
ton. and therefore is made Il party
to the suit. Mr.. Good is an officer of
Deere & Mansur company and Mr..
Epp is the superintendent of the con-
Germ, and as such all are held respon-
sible for the condition which exists
in relation to Mr.. Rail.
Was Prominent as Leader.
The latter was for a number of
years a leader among the labor
unions, being particularly active with
the Federation of Labor when II was
most fourishing in Moline At that
time he was president of the organic
alton. During the holders strike at
the cornplanter works Mr.. Rail took
an active part in the negotiations for
settlement. and was on the commit
tee representing the company.