The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-12-25
SuperIntendencDowns's Statement.

At room today a reporter called on
Mr.. Downs. He said: mo freight
trains are running today, SO far, but
the passenger trains are running all
right. The statement that a commit
tee called on me, and l refused 10 cay
why the men were discharged, is
false. Thrse men, Mays, Arnold and
Ferry, called on me and said thsy
were committee from the brakemen.
Tney asked why / had dis
charged More auo Cornwall |
replied that Cornwall had violated the
time card rules and special orders and
was therefore let go. AS to Moore, l
had told HIM that his carousing and
bad ways were bad example to the
men, and that as soon as he could get
other work be had better do so. He
said that he would resign as eoon as
he could secure a place some where
else, and he was allowed to continue
work till such time"
Wasn't Moore a committeeman?
"NO; he was not. My action in his
case, aud that OF Cornwall, had moth
ing whatever to do with the Brotker-
hood of Brakemen or any other or
gapizltion. When ! explained to the
men yesterday, Arnold and Fenny
said they understood the time card
rules and Cornwal's violation, but
Mays did not. They expressed no
dissatisfaction, however, after my ex-
PLANTATION, and not word was said
of strike. The first notice
had of anything Of the kind
was when the men failed to appear to
man the trains last night. 81 don't
think the discharge Of Moore and
Cornwall is the cause of the strike. 1t
must be something else, though
don't know what. Cornwall was an
extra conductor and was suspended
for gross violation Of we'll known train
rules about ten days ago. He was in
fjrmed be could not act as con-
ductor, but would be employed
as brakeman. While under sus.
pension as conductor he took out
train from here, but was, OF course,
from 1t. For this disobedi-
ence to orders he was discharged. He
came to see me last Friday morning,
and l made an appointment with him
for that afternoon to consider his
C sse, but he did not keep it. The
claim that had declined to submit
his case or any other to the general
for his decision Is, therefore,
not true,as no request of tie kind had |
been made. / made the late conCes-
5ionE TO the men with the approval |
Of the general manager in perfect |
iaith, and will carry out my part OF |
Them 10 the letter. II the men do not |
follow the rules laid down for such |
cases to which their representatives
agreed / can do nothing. "The men,"
ssid Mr.. Downs, "wko refused TO work
asst night can return to work today,
and ] will Gee that any statement
sither Cornwall or Moore may submit
% me will be forwarded to the general
il they go request, for his
action. ! was disappointed ss well as
at Che action OF the men last
hight. l do not believe any large
number of my men will be in symEa-
by with such action when they
Inow the facts in the case. The ruleg
ately agreed on were, think, fair,
lot to say liberal, on the part OF the
company, and / think We should
Eork pleasantly under them"
The brakemen have not been in
pssion at their rooms over the Para
Use salo0n this morning, and Gould
. out OF the city with his tain.
'rakemen who can be found say all
hey want is reinstatement OF the
men.
Manager Harahan is out on The
inc, but is returning as rapidly as
,Ossible. II ia likely a settlement will
70 reached shortly after his return.
THE NEw ALBANY STRIKE.
The strike Of the switchmen Of the