The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-09-25
POLITICAL GOSSIP
w. III. Thomas Writes of Rail-
way Protective Association.
Denies That 1t Is Taking Hand
in Politics.
WHAT is WANTED.
Improved Conditions for Rail-
way Men, He Says.
HAT is WANTED.
G. A. Stephens Writes Letter to
Congressman Anthony.

w. H. Thomas, railway conductor
living at 1923 North Jackson street, is
the only Topeka man so far heard from
who is enrolled in the new Railway
Protective association" which associa-
ton. it is claimed, was organized by
the railroad companies among the en-
ployes for the purpose of beating Bris-
stow, Stubs, Taft and other reform
ers" in Kansas.
Mr.. Thomas, in a communication to
the State Journal, says that the rail-
ways of Kansas are not in politics, and
neither is the Railway Protective asso-
citation. Nevertheless he follows this
with the remark that the railway en-
ployes are going to look after the in
terests of their employees in the mat
ter Of legislation, and oppose legisla-
ton that would be detrimental
1t is hard to see how the railway en-
ployes are going to oppose such legis-
lation as the railways consider "det-
rimentaP'-e. g., the 2-cent fare law,
anti-pass law, railroad commission law,
freight rate regulation. etc.-without
opposing the people who favor such
legislation.
The following is Mr. Thomas letter,
and the article to which he refers was
man by w. WEIGH, of st. Joseph, ask
ing for the record" of the members
of the legislature presumably for the
purpose Of making a blacklist for use
of the Railway Protective association
members, and enabling them to know
who favored the legislation "detrimen-
tai to the railways:
81 notice in your issue of this date
article which please find attached, that
I desire to take exceptions to. It
seems that of late about everyone who
desires to seek information politically,
who is a railway man, is charged with
being connected with the Railway EN-
ployes' Protective association, and the
comments made are certainly an in
Justice not only to the employees of the
doing all they can to keep out Of the
political field, and as far as I know,
and I have been informed by good
authority, that the railways are entire
~ out of politics. The opening remarks
that 1 make when I am talking to the
members as we'll as others that I want
to be plainly understood that this as
ISOLATION is not in politics. We are not
for or against any candidate as an as
ISOLATION for office in this state or any
other. and it seems to me that it is
about time for the press to stop this
sensationalisn. 1t is not conducive to,
that good will that we desire to have
before the public.
I'VE are not looking for notoriety and
do not want it. What we are doing we
believe is right and Injuries no one. Any
fair-minded man knows that any man
who works for wages is DESTROYS of
getting a fair wage, and If he is get
ting it try to see that it is secured to
him This is what we are trying to
do, and while doing this we also look
after the interests of our employer. Is
there anything unduly wrong about
that?
What we want is improved condi-
lions, and have we not the right, as
good citizens, to oppose legislation that
would be detrimental to us. 1 think
you would. then why not us? 1t seems
to me very unfair and dirty politics to