The only trouble, when the “deputies” were sworn in, followed by the
soldiers, was that there was no trouble. That is the secret of
subsequent proceedings. The railroads were paralyzed. Profound peace
reigned. The people demanded of the railroads that they operate their
trains. They could not do it. Not a man would serve them. They were
completely defeated and the banners of organized labor floated
triumphant in the breeze.
Beaten at every point, their schemes all frustrated, outgeneraled in
tactics and strategy, the corporations played their trump card by an
appeal to the Federal judiciary and the Federal administration. To this
appeal the response came quick as lightning from a storm cloud.