The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-04-15
THE STRIKE SITUATION GLOOMY
The Southern Finding All Sorts of Trouble in
the Fight.

| Though the strike situation yeslef-
| dav showed little material change, all
| the indications pointed to increasing
! embarrassment on the part OF the
railroad.
Late Friday afternoon the opera
tors at Auburn. Garner and Morrlss-
Vile Joined the strikers, thus closing
every Southern Railway office in the
county except the one in Raleigh. Inc
closing of these Offices caused Mr..
Henry W. Miller, chief clerk III Col.
Andrews office, to call on Sheriff
Page yesterday morning and ask that
he send deputies to these places TO
protect the railroads property.
This the sheriff replied he had no
authority to do. He could only act
on a warrant sworn out against some
certain person for some specific act
Thereupon Mr.. Miller asked of the
Governor the appointment of four
special railroad policemen. and the
following were at his request com
missioned: Allie Johnson. NJ. \.
Bunch, Il. S. Thompson, j. NJ. Bishop.
These men were sent on the after
noon trains.
The Garner, Auburn and Wilson's
Mills offices were cut out entirely by
the linemen, making it impossible for
the operators in these Offices to in
terfere with the wires.
The operator at Wilson's Mills de-
MES positively that he has taken off
parts of his instrument as charged by
the railroad officials. Also the agent
at Selma says there's no truth what
ever in their statement that he nailed
uD his office door or interfered with
the wire in any way. These state
ments, Mr.. Pritchard says, are false
and without any foundation what
ever.
All was quiet in that section yes
terday, but many of the trains were
much delayed
POWELL'S LATEST CIRCULAR.
The following circular was yester
day received by the strikers from
President Powell:
Kimball House.
Atlanta, Ga, April 10.
Dear Sir: Ninety per cent. of the
telegraphers on the Southern Railway,
and practically one hundred per cent.
on the Alabama Great Southern Rail
way, in accordance with a pre-arrang-
ed signal, went out on a strike yester-
day for better conditions under which
to work.
Every telegrapher, regardless OF
whether he is an Order man or not,
from all accounts, is doing his or her
duty and remaining firm. Everything
is tied up. No. 81. their pet Washing
ton train. came into Atlanta four
hours and twenty minutes late last
night.
There is nothing for you to do but
to stand firm and stay out.
Do not allow any one to take pos
session of your office until you are
regularly relieved.
This strike may last one week and
it may last one month. Will you not
stay by me in this fight. even if it
takes all summer?
Some of these scabs sent out are
mere youths. j.
1t is my opinion they know not the
enormity of their crime. "a
Get after them red hot. Have your
friends assist you. c
Get your train and enginemen
friends to lend their assistance in all
consistent way.
Take on renewed effort today to
make this strike d success.
The eyes of the telegraphers of
North America are on you. They are
praying for your success.
Remain firm to your organization
and to your brothers cause.
We will protect photographers in this
strike. regardless of whether they are
members Of the Order or not.
This is the opportunity of your
lives. Take advantage Of it.
Make a firm resolve that you will
never go to work until you and your
committees are recognized and your
grievances adjusted.
1t is reported tonight that some
scabs dropped along the line were
chased into the woods and swampS by
irate citizens.
The officials complain that the
wires on some divisions have been
grounded or fixed all day SO they
would not work, yet they will claim
that telegraph wires or telegraphers
are not necessary in the handling of
trains.
Do not allow yourselves to be dis
couraged or misled. Every day the
Southern Railway is tied up they lose
one hundred and thirty thousand dol
lars. No one will travel or ship by
the line. BY your united effort we
can tie them up indefinitely.
Under no circumstances return to
work until [ say to do so by circular.
Yours for success,
w. Y. POWELL.