The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-07-27
ABOUT THAT FIGHT
Ed MeKeever Tells His Side of
Affair.
Unmarked and Serene, He's "At
Peace With World"
SECOND CHAPTER LABOR WAR
MOtOrman Fights With Me.
Keever and ex-EmpIOyee.
Battle of Court House Yard
After Injunction Dismissed.

Ed McKeever is as healthy as ever
me Day injunction case, dismissed
Friday afternoon by Judge Dana of the
district court, and followed by a hand
10 hand fight outside the court house,
has left the attorney in good trim /;
there is not a sign of scar, and Re
presents a smiling face to the world.
Although he was attacked by motor
man, who he says, was backed by a
gang of street car men, he is un-
harmed.
McKeever, Day and Dart, who was
also in the struggle, had a .conclave
Dart was bound for the court house
where he will file complaint against
Stogsdill, charging him with assault
and battery. Day was apparently I'M
affected by the recent trouble and in
tends to remain in Topeka until he has
perfected his organization.
Ed McKeever, interrupted several
times by solicitous telephone calls,
makes the following complete state
ment:
McKeeve's Statement.
In the first place, I am not hurt,
as you can see," he began. MIR.
Doran, with whom 1 had a few words
yesterday, is one of my closest friends.
After We had left the court room
told him 1 doubted whether I could
whip him or not, but if 1 did it would
hurt me worse than if he whipped
me"
That was undoubtedly a concession
I'll begin at the beginning of this
affair." McKeever continued. Fol
lowing John Mitchell's lecture here,
the Industrial Council asked for a man
to organize the conductors and motor
men of the Topeka street railway in
pursuance of the Labor Forward
Movement President Mahon of the
International Garments Union sent Mr.
Day of Kansas City. Day was raised
on a Kansas farm, and before entering
railroad work saw active service in
followed him from Kansas City and a
local posse of followers Swallowed him
night and day. One morning they
crowded him through a building,
pushed him into an alley, and closed
in on him. He threw a small brick at
a man who gave his name as Howard.
Howard hustled to the county attor-
ney and stated that he had been as
saulted by Day. He said he was a
conductor. but it was afterwardl prov
en- that he was a detective in the en-
ploy of the railway company. / ac-
cepted the International unions invi-
plished it successfully, but the jury ac-
quilted him without three minutes
trial and found that complaint had
been filed without cause. That is my
sole offense so far as the street railway
is concerned, but since the trial
guard has been stationed around my
office as if I were a suspicious charac-
ter.
Came to McheeVef Home.
'.That did not annoy me in the least"
went on McKeever, calmly, but last
week one of those sluggers stationed
himself behind a tree in my neighbor's
yard, and took UP his watch there. Ny
baby was sick, wife nervous, and went
out, attempted to describe him to him
self and drove him away. 1 used some
good old Anglo-Saxon words" gloated
McKeever reminiscently, land ne
skipped. He went into my neighbor
house called up the company officers
and had three more 'machinists' sent
out. The street railway apparently
decided to punish me, for they filed an
with the members of the Industrial
Council, and Mr. Day. Conspiracy tc
boycott. that was the charge HIM,
Instead of permitting the injunc-
ton to run against US, we appeared
in court and contested the case. The
street railway collapsed completely;
there was not a scintilla of evidence
and the case was dismissed.
THE morning paper was entirely in
correct in declaring I asked at the
dismissal that the plaintiff be restrain
ed from bringing another such action
in the future. We had everything we
wanted; we have defended every at
tack; we have no reason to anticipate
any other; and we do not care how
many they bring.
AT the close of the case Mr.. Doran
asked leave to make a speech. Judge
Dana indulgently permitted it, and it
took the form of a debate. We aired
our views and felt relieved. AS I
left the court house, I was surround
ed by half a dozen sleuths who had
been shadowing me at my office.
Among them was the one who had
come to my house. 1 did not know
his name at the time.
Tells About the Fight.
He demanded that take back what
had said. and 1 fatty declined. His
gang closed around him, and 1 hastily
opened an old knife kept for pruning
my vines. The gang pulled him away,
and he took out his spite on a young
fellow, half his size, named Dart who
was discharged a few days ago be-
cause of his connection with the labor
unions. Stogsdill was the fellows name
and he struck like a 10-year-old child.
He didn't attempt to hit me when we
were alone. Still, I can hardly blame
him for his assault, as my language
was practically a challenge.
He and Doran Old Friends.
1.-The street railway is unduly ex-
cited about this whole thing. We're
all old citizens, and ought to be friend
". Ny only complaint against Dorap
is that while he insists on denouncing.
abusing. and maligning my client, he
wants me to speak in COMPLIMENTARY,
man of my temperament to do am
ready to be game. and think the man
on the other side ought to take the
same stand.
81 am at a loss to understand why
the Topeka railway asserts it's men do
not wish to join the union, and vet
thinks it necessary to pursue and
harass one lone organizer who is here
as a guest. If the men do not want
to organize, this man cannot organ
lie them.
Wants to Be at Peace With World
Il have no grievance against the |
street railway or anybody else, but /
will try to take care of myself in l
49, II.