The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-08-17
CAL WESTON STR|K {.
OF | ON NGSHOR EMEN
To FILM {.
MOST UNIQUE SUIT.
When WalkOut Settles Down
to Test of Endurance Of
ficers of City Bring Ac-
ton Against State

Galveston, Texas Aug l7.--Galves-
ton, birthplace of the commission form
of government, became the scene Of
a legal battle unique in Texas annals
when Frank S. Anderson. city attor
ney acting on behalf Of its deposed
city commission, appeared before Judge
Robert G. Street Of the seth district
court in the preliminary hearing Of
the city's suit to enioin the enforce
ment of martial law.
The defendants, Governor W. p.
Hobby Brgadier General Jacob f.
Wolters, and every office holder and
private on duty in Galveston" We're
represented by distinguished array
Of legal talent from the attorney gen
erals office at Austin
The coastwise longshoremen's strike
out Of which grew conditions leading
up to the declaration of martial law
June 7, was called early in March.
The strikers asked advances in wages
improvement of working conditions
and to be placed on parity with
deep.sea longshoremen. After several
attempts at negotiations the walkout
settled down to test Of strength.
The petition filed by the city on
behalf of four city commissioners, A.
p. Norman, J. c. Purcell, j. H. Ger
nand and George f. Robertson, chare.
es that the acts and conduct of the
defendants were in pursuance of an
Illegal and unlawful conspiracy, enter.
ed into between said defendants and
certain other persOf-sohose names
are at present unknown to these plain,
tiffs, to intimidate and coerce the
citizenship of Galveston and bring
about the institution Of what is known
as the open shop"
Mayor H. o. Sappington, the fifth
member of the board Of commissioners,
was not a party to the suit
General VOTERS first order upon
occupation of the city, the petition
says prohibited the carrying of arms.
the sale of ammunition rthe con
gregating of citizens upon the streets.
This order along with various other
orders emanating from military head.
quarters, the petition declares, is
wholly void and Of no effect.
In denying Governor Hobbys state.
ment regarding alleged riots, insur.
rections and breaches of the peace,
the petition says:
THE plaintiffs allege that no riots
instructions or breaches Of the peace
occurred previous to the invasion OF
Galveston, and therefore the sending
of troops here for purpose Of pro
tecting non-union dock workers was
wholly unnecessary and an insult to
the citizenship of this city"
Referring TO the governors eXecu.
tive order of July Is, which suspended
the entire police and detective forces
and the recorder Of the corporation
court, and partially suspended the
mayor, city attorney and board OF
city commissioners, for alleged failure
refusal and neglect to enforce the laws
of the city, the petition states since
no riot or insurrection occurred, none
could be suppressed or put down-and
no one could be apprehended for par.
ticipation therein"
Governor Hobbys charge that the
city authorities mot only failed to
render aid and assistance to Briga.
dier General Wolters, but by their acts
and words aided and encouraged the
lawless element of the city is EN-.
phatically enie, the petition asserting
that the city had endeavored in every
way to cooperate with the military
authorities.
Considerable interest was manifest
today in the expected rejoinder by the
attorney generals office. That the
port of Galveston, considered as a
public utility, was as much the prop.
erty of the state at large as it was
of those residing here, was expected
to be one of the arguments advanced
by thu state.