Atlanta Daily World

Court Dismisses Railroad Workers Suit Against U. S.

WASHINGTON The Supreme Court Monday rejected the contention of a group of railroad workers that the federal government must pay them the back wages they claim were denied them because of their race. The court ruled in a brief unsigned opinion. Its dismissal of the suit left standing an opinion of the U.S. absolving the government of all liability in the case.

The high court's ruling followed an unusually light decision Monday following its action Saturday upholding the back-to-work orders against the railroad strikes. The workers' case interrupted a two-week recess by the justices. FILED BY 47 WORKERS The railroad workers' suit against the government was filed by 47 Negros who worked for the Missouri-Pacific railroad from 1933 to 1956. During that period the line was operated by its trustees appointed by the federal court in equity. The plaintiffs contended they worked as brakemen as well as porters, but received less pay than white brakemen. They sued the government for the difference. They conceded that differential scales were in effect while the railroad was under private ownership before 1933. But they contended the practice remained in effect after the government took over the line while the company was undergoing financial reorganization. They contended this made the federal government party to the discrimination. In rejecting the suit, the court of claims had ruled that neither it nor the railroad actually owned the railroad or employed the workers. Under such circumstances, it said, the government could not be held liable for any racial discrimination against the Negros.