Birmingham state herald., 1896-08-21
YES, T SUGGESTS COERCION Sudden Thirst for Knowledge on Part of Corporations. THEIR MEN ARE QUESTIONED Nature of the Replies Apparently Has Much to
 Do With the Retention of
 Job.

The report has been current for sev- eral weeks that the various railroad and other corporations have been issuing blanks to be filled out by their employees asking that their state their position on the financial question. An employe of the Louisville and Nashville stated to a State Herald reporter the other day that he had received such blanks with the request that he have the men under him fill them out, but he paid no atten- ton to the matter; that he was a free man and proposed to vote as he pleased.
 It has also been rumored that several employees have been discharged during the past two weeks, and among the num- Der MT. C. c. Johnson, yard foreman at Twenty-seventh street. A State Herald reporter accosted MT. Johnson yester- day. and stated to him what he had heard rumored, and asked him if he would make a statement The facts were what was wanted that the public may judge for itself of the merits and demerits. MT. Johnson readily consent. ed to an interview, and the following is his story verbatim:
 My name is c. c. Johnson. I have been working for the Southern railroad as yard conductor in this city up to and including July 29. Have been connected with the road since October, 1895, hav- ing had charge of the Twenty-seventh street yard since November, 1895. l first worked under MT. T. c. Monday, and afterwards under MT. c. C.. Fleming, general yard masters.
 You are not working with the road any more are your?
 No; was relieved July 30."
 "What was the cause of your release?'
 Tt was claimed that my work was not satisfactory"
 How long have you been in the rail- road business and in what capacity have you worked?"
 At the age of 15 I was water boy on the Alabama and Vicksburg, then known as the Vicksburg and Meridian, on the work train and rock gang. 1 afterwards broke on the work train on the same road under Captain Hix, conductor. next Tagged on through freight and local, first one and then the other 1 then went to running baggage on the same road ana afterwards ran the night yard at Vicks- burg. 1 left on my own account and went to the Mobile and Ohio and Jagged the local between Meridian and Okolona. l quit railroadng for between two and three years and went to school ana worked in the furniture business. went back to my old position on the Alabama and vicksburg railroad in 1891, flagglng on local. I remained about Six months, left of my own accord, went to the New Orleans and Northeastern and Tagged on local between Meridian and Hattiesburs until October, 1892, when l was relieved for refusing to work when sick. came to Birmingham in 1892 and worked with the Lousvill eand Nashville as fiagman on local between Birmingham and Deca- tur. I was with the Louisville and Nashville until June, 1894, when I was relieved on account of the miners trouble, resulting in false re- ports circulated against me to the effect that I was circulating petitions to have Conductor HobartS son, who was also fiagging, relieved. l then remained out of the railroad service uptil October, 1895, when went with the Southern, as above stated"
 Have you been approached on poli- tics by any of the railroad officials under whom you have worked?
 Not by any of the officials. On Tues day morning, July 2S. MT. Mizell, who is employed in Captain Richards office, chief detective and claim agent of the road, asked me how I stood on the Chi cago platform. I told him I intended to vote the straight democratic ticket from Burton for constable to Bryan for presi- dent. He then asked me how l stood on gold and silver. I told him I was free trader and free silver man. About ten days prior to that time and before work hour one morning several of the employees were in the office and were discussing the tariff and the coinage question. I stated my position to be for low tariff and more circulating medium, be it gold, silver or greenbacks, If neces- sary.. Yard Master Fleming took the op- posite view and there was considerable discussion, though pleasant.
 "On July 30, following my conversation with MT. Mizell, received the following notice:
 "'Southern Railway Company Birmingham, Ala, Station, July 29, 1896. "'Mr. c. c. Johnson
 "'Dear Sir: I have decided to make a change in the foreman at Twenty-sev- enth street yard Your work has not been satisfactory. Call at the office and get your time. Yours truly,
 "'C. c. FLEMING, "'G. Y. F."