The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-04-02
labor
WINS ON
ALL POINTS

81. Louis. April 2.-1n the United States
district court yesterday Judge Elmer b.
Adams handed down a decision dissolv-
ing the injunction granted March 3. re-
straining officials OF the Brotherhoods OF
Locomotive Firemen and Railroad Train
men and other labor leaders from infiu-
encing in any way or ordering the men
employed on the wabash Railway sys-
tenn to strike.
The temporary injunction was granted
BY Judge Adams on allegations made by
officials OF the Wabash system that the
defendants were conspiring 10 interfere
with Interstate traffic and in the trans
mission of United states malls.
In his decision Judge Adams analyses
the bill OF complaint upon which the pro-
visional restraining order was Issued
showing that the gravamen or the charge
was that the defendants had entered into
unlawful and malicious conspiracy TO So
cure recognition by exercising their pow
ers as Supreme and controlling officerS OF
the brotherhood of Firemen and Train
men force an undesired strike upon the
men who were members OF their organi-
yation and prevent the men who Were
working for connecting lines from hand
llg the traffic Of the Wabash railroad.
rpon the showing made that the hrst
step OF the conspiracy, namely the order
ing OF such o strike, was contemplated by
the Cefendants and that irrepsrsble
damage v ould necessarily befall the rail-
road anless a restraining order was forth
with issded. the same was done for tnt
purpose of holding the property, and tns
parties in statu quo until both sides coulo
DC fully heard on the motion TO set as'u'
or modify the order.
Within the time allowed by the restrain
ing order. defendants appeared and filed
their sworn answer denying the alleged
conspiracy.
The court finds that the statements OF
The bill OF complaint TO the efte = that the
employee. were satisfied with their wages
and conditions OF service. are not support
ed. that for a long time prior TO the filinS
OF the bill OF complaint the employees were
,.ssatisned with their wages and condi
ton. Of service. and n real difference o.
opinion existed between the railroad an'
large majority Of its employees. member
of the brotherhoods with respect TO thei
wages and that the defendants as officer
and committees OF the brotherhoods wer'
fully authorized both by reason Of thei
official relation 10 their members and ais
BY direct written authority TO represen
them IN the effort 20 secure higher wage
and change conditions Of service and tha
the proposed strike. instead ~ being OF
fciously ordered by defendants. Was a re-
suit OF the vote of the employees actin
without coercion ard directly authorizln
the same
The court further finds after n full %
animation Of the evidence that the chars
OF conspiracy 90 interfere with tho inte'
state commerce OF the United States
the mail service OF the United States
not sustained.
w O. Leo. vice grand master OF N
Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen sa,
of the decision: The decision was &c
fainly sweeping II completely remOv
the Injunction. We believe now as
always have. that our requests were ju
and reasonable and another attempt "
be made 70 bring about a peaceful EetL
ment before the grievance committees a
the Wabash officials"
Al wabash headquarters General Cou
eel Blodgett said 20 the Associate Pre-
after the decision was rendered coun
for the brotherhoods and ! conferi
briefly. but no conclusions were reach
I cannot say anything az 20 the futu
want some time % 40 over the situat
and cannot make any expression toda
DDo YOU think there Will be strik'
Il am not prepared 10 answer y
snes,ion ~ present; have no idea vi
may b. done