The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-03-10

lowing this with a statement of the nego-
tiations with the Wabash officials and the
action of the joint representatives of the
two organizations which led to the filing
of an injunction.
The answer alleges that the defendants
have not interfered with the passage or
carrying of mails. and have no intention
agreement or understanding to In any way
violate the laws with reference to United
States mails.
1t denies that any contracts exist be-
tween the Wabash and the employees IN
question; also that quitting the service of
the Wabash would constitute a violation OF
such contracts. IL any existed.
Answering each of the bills allegations
in order. the answer denies that the Wa
bash was operated in 1894 az L union or
brotherhood road. and denies that the Wa
bash employees struck at that time on &C.
count of the Pullman Company's strike: it
also denies tina: since that time the COM
plants of employees have been amicably
adjusted; that Wabash employees have re-
ceived higher wages than men on Compel
Ing lines, as the compliments allege: OK
that Wabash employees are not subjected to
less reasonable and liberal rules and reg
ulations than are men on like roads in the
same territory.
1t denies specifically that the Wabash en-
ployes were satisfied as to matters con-
corning their services and compensation.
1t is denied that any attempt has been
made to force the Wabash To recognize the
organizations representing and controlling
the employees in all their relations with the
Wabash: also that any attempt has been
made TO prevent the company from dealing
directly with its men in respect to differ
ences. or to compel the company to dis
charge employees or discriminate against
employees not members of the bro.herhoods,
or to compel the company to employ union
men.
DENIED THAT BROTHERHOODS
ATTEMPTED TO GEORGE EMPLOYEES.
1t Is denied that the brotherhoods have
attempted to compel employees to quit work
in violation of contract;
Further, the answer denies the existence
of any conspiracy to attempt interior
ence with or prevention of the operation
Of trains, or any conspiracy whatever, to
prevent the company from fulfilling its
duties as a common carrier, as carrier of
mails, or to force the company to violate
the interstate commerce act or other laws
tracts with shippers or other lines, which
connect with 1t; Furthermore. denies that
there was. or is a conspiracy to induce en-
ployes to become members, but, on the con-
trary. alleges that the organizations have
invited men to become members for law
full purposes. not as a result of conspiracy.
Then follows a denial OF a conspiracy
with reference to each OF the Bills aie-
cations.
it owes certain duties to the public as
common carrier, and to the United States.
by reason of a contract, as carrier az
mails: ALSO that it is bound by contract to
furnish transportation for many shippers.
and that 1t is bound to receive. carry and
forward goods to furnish continuous serv-
ice for goods and passengers and to OBJ
serve connections with other lines; fur
Their. that it is engaged in interstate COM
merce and governed by the interstate COM
merce act, and that II is amcnable to the
act to protect trade.
In substance the bill alleges that the Wa
bash was a brotherhood or union road for
some time prior to 1884, when 1t employed
union men and recognized the organization,
but that in 1894 its employees went out on
sympathetic strike on account of the Pull
man strike, and that since then II has made
no determinations either in favor of or
against the organization employees. but has
treated all men alike.
ALLEGATION TO EFFECT THAT
EMPLOYEES ARE SATISFIED.
A principal allegation is that its employees
at present. are satisfied as to all matters
concerning their service and compensation"
Then comes the allegation of conspiracy.
The defendants have purpose, 1t runs in
effect. to compel the Wabash Company to
recognize the organizations as representing
and controlling the employees in all their
relations with the Wabash. and to compel
the latter to employ only members of the
organizations; that defendants are conspir-
ing to prevent the road from complying
with the interstate commerce act to compel
it to violate the act to protect trade: and
are conspiring to prevent it from carrying
mail.
All of which. It Is alleged. will subject the
railroad to great multiplicity of suits and
lions of dollars. and in great and irrepara-
Bile injury to the employees, and especially
to the employees who are not members Of
such labor organizations as well as to the
public.