The morning journal-courier., 1908-09-07
RAILROAD MEN NOT IN POLITICS Brotherhood of Trainmen Puts Injunction Issue Squarely
 Up to Men.
ITS PLANK TURNED DOWN
Bays Any Attempt to Enlist Organ ization's Support Will Be
 Repudiated.

Chicago, Sept. 8--Victor Rosewater, head of the publicity bureau of the republican national committed, to- night gave out the following statement made by P. II, Morrissey, grand mas ter of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen, in circular recently is- sued to all lodges and members from Cleveland, O.:
 Brother H. R. Fuller. national leg lslative representative of the Brother hood of Locomotive Engineers. Broth erhood of Locomotive Bremen and Engineers and of our brotherhood af- ter consulting with the chief execu- lives of these organizations presented to the republican national convention at Chicago. In June, 1908, q proposed anti-inJunction plank as representing the views of these organizations and requested that 1t be placed in the plat form of that party as follows:
 "'We pledge ourselves to such legis- lation as will guarantee to workmen those rights necessary to their indus trial protection, including the right to strike and to induce or persuade oth- CTS to do SO; and to such legislation as will prevent the issuance of restraining orders and injunctions without hear Ing; and guaranteeing trial by jury to persons accused of contempt of court If such alleged contempt be not com mitted In the presence of the court, or DO near thereto as to obstruct the ad- ninistration of justice
 'The convention declined to accept this proposal and adopted in It's stead another plank. (Here is quoted the re- publican anti-injunction plank)
 Brother Fuller, together with Broth or H. E, Wills, assistant grand chief engineer of the Brotherhood of Loco motive Engineers. appeared before the democratic national convention at Den yer. in July. 1908, and presented to that party for adoption the same proposed plank as submitted to the republican convention. The democratic convention also declined to accept 1t and adopted In its stead another plank. (Here is quoted the democratic anti-injunction plank)
 "It should be understood that the Brotherhood of Railroad Train men has no political program and en- dorses no political party or candidate for any elective political office. Neither have the lodges any authority to use their funds in furtherance of any par tisan political movement, and any at- tempt on the part of an officer or member of the brotherhood to enlist the organizations support or endorse anent in the interest of any candidate or party should be promptly challeng- ed and repudiated.
 We give above to the membership the substance of the action of the two leading political parties on the in- junction question purely for your in- formation. The report of our national legislative representative. Brother M R. Fuller, for the second session oi the Fifty-ninth congress is in tho hands of the subordinate lodges and his report for the first session of the Sixtleth, congress will soon be for. warded to all lodges so that any mem. her who desires to know the record o his congressman on any question O vital importance to labor which wal before the session can procure the in formation desired.
 Tt would be presumption on our par Co make any recommendations to ou members as 10 how they should vot in the coming general election, bu naturally and properly we might sa that every man interested in the labo movement. indepehdent of his afIiiatio, . with organization. should consde carefully the platform, candidates an their records, and stand by our friends and help elect them, as well as oppos our enemies, and help defeat them"