The age-herald., 1900-04-14
TeIegraphers Claim That the
 Outlook is Bright.
SEVERAL WIRES CUT NEAR SELMA
Both Sides Claim That They Have Gained Ground-Officials Say That the Places Are Be-
 ing Rapidly Filled

The local situation regarding the strike inaugurated Thursday by the telegraphers on the Southern and Alabama Great South ern railways is practically unchanged ex- cept that the railroads appear to be hand ling their trains with more ease, and claim that they are handling business with little inconvenience, while the telegraphers claim that the roads are tied up, and that more men have quit work and joined their ranks. Passenger trains on the Southern and the Alabama Great Southern came in and left on time yesterday with the exception of No. 35 from Atlanta and No. from Chatta- nooga, both of which came in about an hour late. Trains both roads from the east and north arrived on time last night.
 Some of the operators sent out Thursday afternoon to replace those who joined in the strike returned to the city yesterday. but the officials state that they had other men ready to take their places.
 Joined the Strikers
 The night operator at the union depot re- fused to work last night, and dispatchers from the offices of the Alabama Great Southern and the Kansas City, Memphis and Birmingham were sent there to receive
 
 The operators at Twenty-fourth street, this city, and at Bessemer, who remained | on duty Thursday and Thursday night, re- fused to work yesterday. The office at Oakman, on the Southern, west of Bir- mingham, closed yesterday and the operator notified the men in this city that he would not return to work
 The new operator who went to Blocton h take the DIace of the man who struck was forced to leave the office yesterday by some miners who, it is stated, threatened violence if he attempted to deliver orders to the trains.
 It is stated that the telegraphers held conferences yesterday with representatives of other railroad orders who expressed sympathy with the strikers. The question of a sympathetic strike has not yet been discussed, but will probably come up for consideration at later date.
 plerson is Confident
 T. M. Pierson, assistant to President Powell, of the Order of Railroad Tele- graphers who is in the city to conduct the fight for the telegraphers of the Birmlns- ham division, when seen last nsht ex- pressed the greatest satisfaction over the situaton and appeared to be confident or winning out in the struggle in which the operators have engaged. Speaking of the situation he said:
 "Our story is very short. The situation remains unchanged except that we are stronger this evening than when the strike was called There are at the present time several new recruits to our ranks In ths room The young fellows who were taken out on the line from the Massey Business college have returned to the city, and they are also in the room. We are within tne last few hours in receipt of telegrams assuring us of the undivided support or several organizations the names of Whicn I hold in my hand, but have been request ed for the present at least to withhold their names It is reported from Washing ton as late as 9 o'clock this evening that the condition of the Southern railway IS indeed serious.
 .orhe scab at Blocton run off by min CTS today. and the opeartor at Oakman has quit About 50 per cent. Of the men on the Anniston division are 6ut, ana eR7 couraging news comes from there.
 "President Powell advised us late this afternoon that the conditions all over the system were better for us than yesterday. The engineers and conductors on the Co., lImbia division refused to run on scaD orders"
 The Railroads Side -n Superintendent A. J. Frazer of the Bir- mingham division of the Southern stated yesterday afternoon that everything was moving along smoothly on his division. and that practically full force Of operators was at work between Birmingham and Atlanta and that about the same condir ton existed west of Birmingham. He said that all trains, both passenger and freight, were moving time and the train move ment was very satisfactory. He said. that only two three operators were out be- tween Birmingham and Atlanta, and three or four between Birmingham and Green vile, and that all trains between Birming ham and Atlanta were running sched- ule time, which was better than he had expected.
 At 2:10 D. m. yesterday Third Vice Presi- dent Cannon of the Southern sent the fol- lowing telegram to operators along tho system:
 Washington D. C., April 13, 1900. "All Operators: Our experience yesterday and today confirm our confidence in tell egraph department Your demonstration of loyalty and devotion to duty is especia1- ly gratifying, and will not be lost sight of You will be pleased to know that the total number that went out Is less than 10 per cent. of the telegraph force
 "F. s. CANNON"
 General Freight Agent Mel
 At 4.37 D. m. General Freight Agent E, A. Mel of the Southern wired Division Freight Agent G. R. Browder as follows: "As information beg to advise that strike of telegraph operators on Southern railway
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