Show AUTHORITY OF MILITIA Suit Begun in Colorado to Have It Defined INSTITUTED BY STRIKERS J Application Also Made for a Restraining Order Action in El Paso District Court nn Defendants Civil Officers County and Military Officers N G C Colorado Springs Colo March 14 Legal action In behalf of the striking mlllmen In Colorado City was Insti tuted in the District court of El Paso county by Attorney John A Smith today to-day It Is j a general suit to restrict and define the authority of the mill tary forces and to restrain them front infringing upon the personal and PrOPerty prop-erty rights of private citizens The plaintiffs arc W 33 EnnIs H 3V Ferrlll and F Norllng and the complaint com-plaint Is directed to W R Gilbert Sheriff of El Paso county Gen John Chase Col James H Brown and Sherman Sher-man Bell Gov Peabodys appointee as AdjutantGen whose term of of flee does not begin until next month but who It Is alleged In the complaint Is dc facto assuming to act as an officer of-ficer of the militia at Colorado City The petition states that the militia force under the direction of the defend2 ants has claimed exercised and assorted as-sorted right and authority over the persons per-sons and property of the plaintiffs and i all other cltlrona of the county wholly unknown to the law and which constitute con-stitute usurpations of power and aui thorlty The petition sets up that the militia and the defendants In command thereof are subordinate to and under the control con-trol of the civil authorities of the State and under the Inherent jurisdiction of this court sitting as a court of equity The petition alleges that there wan no occasion or need for bringing the troops Into this county and that the motive of Sheriff Gilbert In so doing was not in good faith to keep the peace but that his motive was by a display of force to overawe and intimidate intim-idate citizens and that his request to thc Governor was made at the behest ot the United States Reduction and Refining Re-fining company and other employers of labor for the sole purpose of breaking the strike The plaintiffs pray the court to take Jurisdiction and cognizance of the acts of the defendants and their subordinates subordi-nates and ask that the court will re quirethe Sheriff to report to the court all of his doings and that a decree be entered to prevent the misappropriation misappropria-tion of public funds and the further Invasion In-vasion of and usurpation of the rights of citizens of the county and that the court will exercise its supervisory power over the officers of the militia This special application Is requested to bo given a hearing on March 23rd |