The evening world., 1903-05-09
Western Union Operators in
St. Louis Ask Courts to
Restrain Official; from
Dischargine Members Of
Their Organization
WILL FIGHT TO A FINISH.
If Injunction Is Granted in the
West Suits Will Be Brought
Against the Corporation in
Every City.

Members of the Commercial Teleg.
raphers' Union of America in New York
are awaiting with anxiety tho action to
be taken by the United States Court In
st. Louis. which has been asked to en-
Join the Western Union Company from
nischsrging members of the ~orGaniza-
tton without cause. II Judge Adams
rules in favor of the union similar ac'
tiun will be brought in the courts here.
r In the offices OF the Western Union in
this ybity the officials profess TO know
nothing of the ST. Louis case. aside
from what they have read in the papers.
and Henry A. Estabrook, general coun-
sci. says he has been so little interested
and is so confident that the injunction
will never be granted that he has not
consulted with the attorney for the
company In st. Louis.
Laughs at the Suit.
"I saw by the newspapers that the
papers had been nled.'' he said to an
Evening World reporter to-day. And
I am convinced hat that Is all there
will be TO 1t. You can file "A newspaper
sn court, you know. II you put a hl!ng
stamp on II.
.The case Is the direct a~ntithesis OF
the one In which Judge Adams granted
the injunction restraining the en-
ployees of the Wabash Railroad from
,quitting work. When that was shown
to him he at once refused to make the
Injunction permanent.
THE temporary injunction was alb
surd. A man is free to work or not us
he chooses. and no court can compe
-. Ir1u. Adapps On mo m gro that.
and he will not make another such mo
take, In my opinion. The Western union
Is free to hire union or n%on-union men
as 1t chooses.
Even by the mcreSt chance. II the
Injunction should be granted. 1t would
never stand. Not untii this Is a Social
istic government VIII such a ruling
stand. and I think We are a long way
from that. rl
, ..Should such n ruling be made men
would soon have to apply to the courts
for work. The courts would have To
adjust salaries-but it's too absurd to
talk about. It is not WORTH the time 10
give It thought
Wilbur Eastlake, who Is Grand Secre-
tary-Treasurer OF the Telegraphers
Union said to-day that at least twenty
live union men had been dismissed from
the Western Union service In New YORK
since the organization wa perfecte.
last September. He declares that no
reasons were given, and when the me.
asked they were told; You ought /"
know"
Threatened to Dischni &c Them
Early in the history of the organiLa-
tion President X. c. Clowry. OF the
western Union. was seen by some OF
his men who had been asked TO loIh tns
union. 1t Is said that he replied that
he would hold any member OF the union
n. dsloyal employee.
PresIdent Percy Thomas, or the TeleS-
rdnhers'. is confident. he says. thai the
a' Louis case will be favorable TO the
men.
Evening World reporter to-day. our
aim Is to show In every city in the
country the exact attitude of the Wes-
tern Union to organized labor. This
ssiH ne lone in New York "a soon as
the ST, Louis case Is decided.
at was decided 10 strike the first
blow in the West after much del!lera-
tion. Our campaign Is fully outlined.
.but | do not care TO say exactly WAT
the succeeding steps VIII be, We are
organizing and gaining strength rapidly.
and IN "a month we have established
furnishing locals in Richmond. Augusta,
Montgomery. Albany. Buffalo. New Ha-
ven ana Seattle.
The convention will be held in New
York beginning July 10. and before that
time we expect to gain enormous
etrength.'