The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-03-22
THE FIGHT FOR SALARIES
CENTRAL EMPLOYEES SEND A CON-
MIITER TO JUDGE sPRER


aries Have Not Reen Psid-A Differ
enoe Of Opinion as to the Liability for
Back Accountants Employees Meet
ing-Gen. Alexander on Their Action.
Not Money Enough in Sight TO Pay
the Rolls-Cars Levied on at Rocky
Ford.
The general offices and headquarters Of
the Central railroad are to be removed from
Atlanta to Savannah at once without wait
ing for the settlement Of the case now in
the courts.
Mr.. Edward Mcintyre, the newly APP
pointed controller, is now in Atlanta ar
ranging the transfer Of accounts and get
ting the books in shape for the removal Of
everything to Savannah
Gen. Alexander said yesterday that no
changes will be made until after the hear
ing before Judge SDeer Thursday, but it is
understood that conclusion has been ar
rived at among those connected with the
Central in position TO judge, that the liti-
cation is likely to continue for three or four
years in one shape and another, and that it
will be best to change the head
quarters to Savannah without
further delay. Savannah will enjoy
the possession of the headquarters during
the continuance Of the litigation, at any
rate.
REFUSES TO PAY.
The Richmond and Danville has refused
TO pay its accounts contracted while in
charge Of the Central. MORNING News
vouchers to the amount of 1920. which
had been approved and authorized to be
paid by General Manager Green, were for
warded to Atlanta last week for collection
through the Atlanta banks OF this amount
$500 of vouchers were returned yesterday
protested. The other $500 was paid. Why
portion Of the amount was paid and the
rest was not paid was not explained. The
amounts we're for work done for the Rich
saond and Dauvile while IL was in pos
session of the Central some time before the
appointment of a receiver. They had been
approved. and the action of the Richmond
and Danville in refusing to pay them was
somewhat of a surprise.
GEN. ALExANDER's EXPLANATION.
Gen. Alexander's explanation is that the
treasurer of the Richmond and Danville has
been ordered not to pay any accounts con-
tracted by the Richmond and Danville in
behalf of the Central before the appoint
ment Of the receiver except from funds
which may have come into his hands since
belonging to the receiver. This, notwith-
standing the Richmond and Danville en-
joyed the receipts from the Central railroad
during the time the debts were contracted.
of the road have not received their pay for
February. The Richmond and Danville
will endeavor TO force the Central TO pay
the. February pay rolls notwithstanding it
was in charge Of and operated by the Rich
mond and Danville during that time
kIGen. Alexander said that the Richmond
and Danville will contend that these ac-
counts should be paid by the Central In case
a receiver is appointed. The Central will
contend, of course, that they are due by the
Richmond and Danville. IN the mean
while the employees may whistle for their
money.
EMPLOYEES TAKE ACTIor.
The railroad employees in Savannah had
pretty costly experience with the
old Atlantic and Gulf railroad when
it went into the hands Of a receiver several
years ago, thousands of dollars due the en-
ployeS having never been paid, the money
received for the sale of the road being
swallowed up in big salaries and lawyers
fees. This time they propose to take time
by the forelock. A meeting of Central
railroad employees was held yesterday at
O'Clock at the hall in the Sorrel building to
discuss the situation and take some action.
The meeting was very largely attended,
about $50 employees being present. The shop
forces we're largely represented aud the CON
ductors, iremen and engineers had their
representatives present.
John w. Smith of the blacksmith shops
was elected chairman and l. N. Stultz sec
rotary. The meeting was in session nearly
two hours and there was full expression
of the views Of the men.
DETERMINED TO HAVE THEIR PAY.
The sense of the meeting was that the
men were determined TO have their money.
They are in actual need OF it. most of them.
and cannot afford to wait any longer The
shop men have been working only six hours
1nxz ed, aof T..
are very much in need Of what little is COM
ing to them, the amounts IN every
case being small. They have been
without money since the middle
of last month, when they received their
January pay.
The engineers, while fewer In number
than the shop hands, have larger bills, and
being accustomed to little more expensive
style ofliving feel the lack of their money
fully as keenly.
One engineer said that the road owed him
S205 up to date He was sick month before
last and only received $40 last pay day.
Debts contracted while he was sick and also
for necessary living expenses are falling
due. and without the money due him he is
in 9 bad fix.
COMMITTEE APPOINTED.
John w. Smith, chairman. James w.
Smith, an engineer, and George Wheeler a
conductor, were appointed committee to
leave last night for Macon to present their
grievances before Judge Speer there and
request him TO issue ON order to the receiver
to find cut why his order 20 pay the Feb
ruary pay rolls had not been complied with
and to take such steps as Will insure them
the receipt Of their money in the shortest
possible time. The men prefer not to wait
until the road goes into the handsof per-
manent receiver, as they anticipate it will,
as they feel certain that they would then
have to wait an indefinite length OF time TO
secure their pay. Their action yesterday was
taken on the advice Of their attorney, r. R.
Richards, Esq.
There was no disposition to strike or quit
work. The men know that they will get
their pay for the work done since the ap-
pointment Of a receiver, as the road is in
control Of the court.
There are over 300 men interested In the
pay roll question.
WHAT GEN. ALEXANDER SAYS.
Gen. Alexander knew nothing Of the
meeting having been held. and was appar-
emily much surprised when a MoRNING
NEWS reporter informed him soon after il
adjourned Of the action Of the men. He
listened with interest 10 an account of the
proceedings He said that to some extent
the men are mistaken. There was no di-
Orda