The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-04-14
Mr.. ST. JOHN INTERVIEWED
he Replies to the Telegram Sent
Out from Raleigh.
NO TRUTH IN THE STORY.
Seaboard Air Line viii Not Discrim-
mate IN Employment of Engineers
But VIII Certainly Protect
Interest OF the Stockhold-
ers. Want Good Men.

A dispatch wns sent from Kaieigh,
on the 18th, saying that the Brother.
hood OF Locomotive Engineers had ell.
tered q protest against the placing by
Vice. President st. John Of Western
men M engineers on the Georgia Cen.
ira! ana Northern road, to the delri-
meut OF local engineers.
Mr, st. John snys concerning the
linleigh Telegram that the statement Ii
u ''iake' of tho poorest KIND.
"A committee OF engineers, DESTROYS
OF modifying rules under which they
Ind been working, and which to them
bud proven objectionable, met tho
superintendent Of Motive Power aud
Machinery for II discussion OF them.
nnd that the interview was most pleas
ant may be assumed from the fact TINT
this tnme committee, or q member Of
1t, extended tho superintendent OF
Motive Power and Machinery M invita-
ton to Inner Immediately following,
but (and here the rubl a reporter
wanted to be present mud nskeu ndmIs.
Hion to THIS private conference, and
admission was declined aud properly.
No such request as thut stated WAS
ever made by the committee. and il all
grew out OF his imaginative braiu, aud
the committee cannot and will not state
other wise.
at was the penalty enforced for
non admission To II private conference
which the engineers had asked for.
Il have said to IL gentleman from
Raleigh to say TO this young man that
| believed lie thought he WIS working
In tho Interest he represented; thai
doubted not that no wan "a person of
tact aud ability, and that If he would
come to Portsmouth and see me !
would entertain him at dinner aud
extend to him the right hand of lei.
low,hlp.
Our orders are to create efficiency
III all departments; promote those in
the service of the Company who are
worthy and hnve ability TO ill positions
vacated or created, and this has been
done and will continue. and with ii oil,
to reduce expenses where 1t can be done
without injury TO the service. This is
Ill the interests OF the company's stock
and stockholders who arc entitled to
some consideration IN view OF tho fact,
that they w the property.
"lf there are men unable to give full
service, or my services, who have
been dropped from the pay rolls be.
cause Of old age (10 to 50 years of une)
no injustice Is attended them, but tho
company cannot do business in that
why. 1t snch persons are found worthy,
nnd reason exists for 50 dong, their
cases will be presented by the vice
president 10 the president nnd through
Hun To tue board of directors for such
consideration AS they may desire TO
give the matter, and 10 one will DO
more pleased than the vice. president
II 1t Is found that some provision Gnu be
made III their behalf, and this | have
previously remarked.
Tho Board of Directors is tho only
body that Inns power to make uppro
priatiOns necessary in such cases,
W halever may have been done III the
past, the vlce president nor the gene.
raj manager has authority over such
matters.
1--WE shall continue in tho effort TO
get down "a SOLID business. principles
III tie coudnct of the property entrust.
ed to our care, and hope To make 1t
valuable to its owners. Where inefli.
cheney IL iounu tn rNiyf, well shall en-.
dravor 10 create cilicioncy aud shall not
swerve one lotn from that effort.
Coco nud einciant men have moth
ing to fear. but much to look forward
10. We shall Judge Of the material We
use. In n word, we shall apply busl-
ness rules IN The conduct OF our bust. |
ness without fear or favor. aud in tue
interests OF those who are looking TO
us 10 protect their interests, viz: the
owners OF the property as well as its
employees"