Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-09
NO LEGAL BARRIER
To AMALGAMAT|0N
Justice Stafford Discharges
Rule in Federal Employees
Union Case.
COURT ACTS ON SHOWING
OF DEFENDANTS ANSWER
Latter Claim There Is Nothing to
Enjoin, as Merger Was Completed
Before Complaint Was Filed.

Hearing on the injunction proceed
| ings brought by members of the Fed
| eral Employees Union. to prevent the
amalgamation of government clerks
with Federal Labor Union, No. 1882
was held today by Justice Stafford OF
the District Supreme Court. The court
discharged the rule against the defend
ants on the showing made in their an
swer
Officials of the American Federation
of Labor, members of the Federal EN-
ployes' Union favoring the amalgama-
ton and officers of the Federal Labor
Union. the charter of which was trans
ferred. filed a joint answer to the bill
of complaint.
They declare there is nothing for the
court to enjoin. as they assert the
amalgamation was completed a full
month before the filing of the complaint
IN court and the transfer of the funds
made and receipted for ten days prior
to the issuance of the courts rule on
them. Attorneys Ralston & Richard
son appear for the defendants.
An intervening petition was filed to-
day by the Stenographers, Typewriters,
Bookkeepers and Assistants Associa-
tion, NO 11773, protesting against the
amalgamation. Attorney Matthew S.
Farmer. RI, who brought the suit for
the complaining government employees,
also represents the interviewer.
The Stenographers' Association calls
the attention of the court to the fact
that majority of federal employees are
stenographers. typewriterS, bookkeep-
ers, assistants or office clerks, and as
of the union. No. 11773. Protest was
made by 1t. declares the intervening as
ISOLATION. to the A. F.. of l.. of the pro-
posed union of government employees
with another trade body on the ground
that its functions were being usurped.
Gompers Answered Protest.
1t is stated that Samuel Gompers,
president of the American Federation
of Labor, answered the protest and an
nounced that the executive council at
it meeting June &c would consider
carefully the protest. Despite this
statement. it is alleged. the amalgama-
ton was proceeded with and the as
ISOLATION is suffering irreparable in
jury in the diversion of funds which
would be received by 1t if the clerks
Joined with the association.
The answer of the defendants is
signed by Samuel Gompers, president,
and Frank Morrison. secretary, of the
a. F. OF L.: by Ii. NJ. Nj. Larin, II. A.
Spilman and Florence Etheridge for
the faction of the government clerks
favoring amalgamation and by Philip
Buettner and Frank w. kearney for
the Federal Trade Union.
The defendants express the belief
that the six plaintiffs have no associ-
ates in whose behalf they are acting.
but admit they are not bringing suit
for selfish ends. They declare they are
unable to discover any purpose what
ceeding. 1t is immaterial. the defend
ants point out, IL the plaintiffs bring
the suit with every conviction that the
best interest of the Federal Employees
Union will be promoted, because 1t is
manifest that the majority of the for
mer members thought otherwise.
The claim is made that by reason
of the completed amalgamation there
exists no employees union whose best
or worst interest can be promoted by
any anch Stlit