The Savannah morning news., 1901-06-13
POLICE STILL ON GUARD.
S. A. L. Giving Its Employees Full
Protection.


Thirty-seven special policemen, armed
with Winchester rifles, are now on duty
abott the Seaboard Air Line yards Their
mission is the protection of the non-un-
ion men who were employed by the Sea-
board in the places of the striking ma
chinists. After talking with representa-
tives OF the railroad and Representatives
of the strikers. one is left in a position
to ask what the policemen are there for.
The railroad authorities said yester-
day afternoon and again at an early hour
this morning that four men, two ma
chinists and two boiler makers, were at
work during the day. Early this morn
ing it was said that the four were In
their quarters over the offices, enjoying
their rest and that they would begin
work again to-day.
Representatives of the strikers said that
was not the case, but that all eight OF
the non-union men had thrown up their
Jobs and were in the city. They declared
further that they had won out in their
effort against the Seaboard, things hav-
ing come their way.
Eighteen new men have been added to
the force of special policemen that was
published by the Morning News yester-
day. The recruits were sworn in at the
CITY Exchange by Assistant Clerk of
Council Charles V. Hernandez, and last
night they went to the yards to join
Sergt. Fleming's protective force. Those
added to the list were F. B. Mauer, j.
Clark, s. E. Moore, J. T. Murrell w. H.
Williams, Charles E. Harvey, Nj. H.
Temples, c.. W. Ellis, H. E. Harley, j.
E. Bunch, G. Lowenthal H. Platzblatte.
D. W Middleton, C. W. Orear, H.
Estroff, ]. Deich, j. A. Rimes and w. j.
O'Connor.
Not the slightest show of violence has
been made at the yards since early Mon
day morning, when the strikers descend
ed upon the sleeping quarters of the nom
union men. Everything was serene last
night, it was reported The policemen
maintained their guard, and no effort was
made to break through their line.
A conference was held yesterday, two
or three representatives of the strikers
meeting Supt. Cecil Gabbett of the Sea
board in his office. Nothing could be
learned of the results, and it is doubt
full if anything was accomplished. MIR.
Gabbett said after the conference, how
ever. that the Seaboard will certainly
keep its shops open in Savannah, and that
it will have men to work in them.
The strikers are jubilant over having
induced more men to throw up their Jobs
with the Seaboard. Some of them secured
the following sta tement from William A.
Jones, representing the eight men brought
out from New York to take the places of
the striking machinists:
The agreement between the companys
agent in New York and the men was,
that the men should remain all the time
in he commands until he NV,
saw fit to let them out. But under no
circumstances were they to leave the yard
until the strike was settled.
When the men arrived ait Portsmouth
the company's agent promised them that
if they would come to Savannah the COM
pany would pay all of their expenses to
this city, their board as long as they
would remain in the service of the COM
pany, and 50 per day as wages; full pro-
lection was also promised.
Yesterday morning the men inter-
viewed Mr.. Gabbett and informed him
that they wanted TO leave the service
OF the company and he informed them
that he was going to build 9-foot fence
around the place and would have thirty
men with Winchester rifles to protect
them if they would remain. But the men
informed Mr.. Gabbett that they did not
need any protection, but that they were
leaving the service of the company of
their own free will and accord. The men
insisted on Master Mechanic Justice CIV
ing them their time yesterday morning
but he would not settle with them until u
o'clock to-day, and when the settlement
was made the men were paid off at 2712
cents per hour instead of 80 cents. AT the
same time the company charged them 81
per day for board.
Mr.. Gabbett informed the men when
he found that they were going to leave
the service of the company that if they
would remain he would put them in the
places of some men that he had on the
road that he wanted to get rid of. and he
also reiterateu his statement that he
would give them all the protection that
they wanted. But the men told him that
the case had been made clear to them
and that they would not take any strik-
ers places. We are machinists ourselves,
and the only friends we have found in
this town are union men we have met"