davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-11
[. T. snaw & Son, Undertakers.

Green Undertaking Co.,, Wallace c. Johns. Managers
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-18

that during all OF this long period his
train never has met with a single mis-
fortune.
Porters often depend on The mystic
rabbits foot. To be most effective the
rabbit, of course. must have been caught
in a graveyard and killed in the dark of
the moon Ii always is carried IN the left
hand breast pocket. \ general supersti-
ton among brakemen is that il is I'M
lucky for a woman TO enter train first
at the beginning of n trip. and many will
resort to some ruSe to prevent this invita-
ton OF disaster Ii also is an Oman Of
bad fortune for a cripple or huncnback
TO enter a train first. and a one-arme
man aboard is viewed with fear and TN
easness until he aiiShts.
The careless tolling of the engine bell
by the fireman is dreaded especially by
the engineer. as he considers il sign
that some member of his family Will die
soon. The counting of the cars in a
train. as the train rounds a curve. also is
avoided, as il is thought 10 invite an ac-
cident. An omen of death likewise is seen
if the headlight of the engine goes out
while the train is in motion.
The superstition of the triplet has wide
prevalence. but il is especially marked
in the minds of traipmen. with whoi rests
the firm conviction that If one is killed
or injured Two more will be similarly
afflicted within short time. 1t also Is
unlucky for trainman TO take the place
of one who has been killed in less than
three DAYS after the accident \ lett
handed engineer has his own share or
trouble among his fellows, many OF whom
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-18

light I saw my wife Yes sir saw my
wife sure as am sitting here.
Il almost fell to the floor. | was So
badly scared. l wanted to stop the train
for fear ! would run over her. and | did
slow down a bit. Then saw her way
ing her arms. and l heard her voice cry
For Gods sake. Bob. stop:
And you stopped" interrupted the
wiper. breathlessly.
You bet l stopped. And right before
me. within less than fifty feet, there was
a washout that would have sent the whole
trainload of people into eternity But
the ghost OF my wife saved me and
them
Such is the superstition of trainmen
II makes no difference what the mate
rialists may argue to prove the non-ex-
belief that IL portends danger to see an
object. described. on the track ahea d
of their trains. y will-o -the-wisp is
similarly an unlucky omen, and cat
crossing the track ahead of an engine in
motion is regarded a certain sign of
disaster. II usually means disa ster-to
the cat. Black cats an espec al aver
sion to the trainmen. and even when the
train is standing il gives some engineers a
chill to see such an animal cross the
track
During thunder storm the lightning
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-18

bered it thirteen. First he had trouble
getting engineers and firemen, and some
of them when ordered to take her out
quit the road before they'd defy fate.
But the hard-headed master mechanic
had a bulldog temperament, and he would
not even allow a lucky broomstick or
horseshoe to be carried on the first trip.
But the cards We're stacked against
him. 4 hoodoo hung over No. IL from
the start. Accident followed accident. 1t
would lay down Unexpectedly on the
easiest grades. and it was as balky as
the ugliest mule After 1t had killed
three or four men it wound up its career
by jumping into the James river. 1t was
hauled out of the water finally and was
reconstructed in the shops. When ii was
ready for the road again it was given a
new christening and new number. and
its conduct afterward was as docile as
could be imagined
Your railroad man. despite his essential
common sense in other respects, almost
invariably Is a fa:alist and. aside from
the professional gambler and the sailor
Is the most superStitious man in the
world. To the railroad man death is
commonplace: accident and injury all in
days work and in the line of duty. Con-
tempt of death is bred by familiarity and
the never-ending risk of life and limb
Only few months ago a train plunged
into a river. In the mail car were three
clerks. two of them new to the service
and comparatively ignorant OF its tradi-
tions. These two were killed instantly
and horribly mangled, but the veteran
clerk. who stood but q few feet from
them, escaped almost without q scratch.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-18

frequently dances along the steel track
and plays Enthusiastically upon the piston
rod. IL is a superStitution among many
engineers that this freak of lightning car
rieS a neurological message and they
often claim TO see. in the odd shapes the
flashes take. the year in which they are
doomed to die.
\ story is told of an old engineer of
the Southern railway who saw his warn
ing n3mber soon after he took charge of
his first engine. Years afterward when
the stated time arrived, he resigned his
position, put his worldly affairs in order
and stoically waited the summons. which
indeed came as he had anticipated.
Friday and Number 13.
Bob bit off another chew from a CO.
pious plug. A hiss of steam sounded be-
hind. bell rang and from the round
house there emerged a huge locomotive,
resplendent in shining paint and FURNISH
ed metal.
That's the new UNI observed the
wiper Amt she a beaut?"
The new one" gasped Bob. why,
this-this is Friday" And his cheeks
went white under their coat of tan. That
engine is going to come to an untimely
end he added. Il remember master
mechanic some years ago who thought
there was nothing In Friday being UNI
lucky. and he scoffed. too. at thirteen.
We'll. one Friday he sent new engine
out on the rails, and for spite he num-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-18

ditfons resulting would be duplicated on
every other railroad in the west Hap
PLY this case was also settled with sat
Sfaction to all concerned and without
strikes resulting.
Sixteen times in all has government me-
diation been brought into play since De-
cember 1906. In every case il has result
ed satisfactorily Each time a big strike
was happily averted. Twice strikes had
been actually declared.
1t is regarded as somewhat peculiar that
when the bill was passed 1t was thought
that Its arbitration feature would be Its
most important one. Mediation was pro-
vided for. but ii was expected to be eff
cacious but seldom. The mediation fea-
ture, however. has proven the successful
part of 1t thus far and the government
representatives are greatly encouraged
over their efforts to be Of help in promot-
ing and preserving industrial peace.
AS far as the public IS concerned. it
has heard but little regarding the work
ing of the law. About all that could he
said was the announcement that Com
mssioners' Knapp and Neil had been
designated in any certain case to act as
mediators; and then the subsequent state
ment. after almost every one had for
gotten all about il, that the difficulty had
been settled amicably and to the salts
faction of the contending parties. The
details. from the very nature OF the cir
cumstances. cannot be given publicity,
but an inkling at least. may be permitted
handled.
Take the situation in Chicago when
there was danger that all the western
roads would be tied up-the second case
in which the government commissioners
attempted mediation.
When the commissioners from Washing
ton stepped from their train and has
tened to meet the COntending interests
they found sonnet hing very like an armed
camp waiting. under truce. their appear
ance Forty-three powerful railroads by
their high officials were pitted against $50
trainmen. representing the employees of
each of the roads-four for each road
and eight general officers of the train
mems organiZa lions. OF railroad officials
there were ten. representing the biggest
roads-vice presidents. general managers
and other men whose names are known
everywhere
There was no attempt to disguise the
fact that mediation was considered an
expedient of more than doubtful utility.
Every possible effort. II seemed. had been
made to reach an agreement. but the con-
tending interests seemed only to grow
further apart. Yet the stake was worth
trying for, and each side was secretly
willing to concede something more than
it had yet admitted If it could do so with
honor.
A Typical Case.
Preliminaries were quickly settled upon.
The mediators lost no time, but met at
10 o'clock In the morning on the first day,
and the petitioners for the mediation APP
peared and stated their several cases.
Then, as per agreement, first one side and
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-18

disputes between employers and the en-
ployed: but in nothing has he shown more
strength and real ability than in his work
as mediator for the government to pre-
vent labor disturbances in the railway
world
Few persons are aware that during the
past year several great railroad strikes,
which would have caused immense suffer-
ing. and loss of business and money. have
been narrowly averted in this country.
When the industrial depression came
the railroad companies very generally
threatened to reduce the wages of their
employees and there was immediate pro-
test.
For a time it seemed as If there would
be much trouble for the employees were
determined to resist any reductions. and
the railroads declared that they could
not afford to continue the old scale of
prices
Very naturally the result was a dead
lock and there was a determination to
bring on strikes.
The public never knew how critical the
situation was. But the government was
in d position to know. and it was able.
by reason of the E,rdman act, to offer
friendly and disintereSted mediation.
which. while being in the nature of an I'M
tried experiment. was accepted by the
railroads and their men.
1t will be remembered that the i'm
pending strikes did not occur and govern
men; mediation scored a triumph.
lie Erdman act became q law IN 1913.
Its provisions remained practically dead
letter until December. 1906 Since then
it has been almost continuously effica-
cious. but not exactly in the way its au-
thor and Congress anticipated.
Provisions of the Act.
The Erdman act applies only to rail-
roads which are engaged in interstate
commerce, and their employees who are
engaged In train operation. 1t provides a
method for voluntary a"O;tration between
the railroads and :!:e.r trainmen, but
as an alternative. whenever a dispute oc-
ours which threatens to interrupt inter
state traffic. either side to the dispute
may make an appeal to the chairman
of the interstate commerce commission
and the commissioner of labor when then
must seek the other party to the dispute
and try TO get consent TO mediation by
the government officers who thereby be-
come a board OF mediation. If mediation
should fail il becomes the duty of the
government board to urge that the dis
pute he referred to arbitration, as provid-
ed for in the act.
In at least two OF the cases in which the
mediation of the government has been
with interruption of traffic which would
have caused incalculable loss in wages
and business profits.
The first case is deserving q mention
chiefly because it was the first At that.
il was serious enough when the gov
eminent was invited to step in.
1t was almost two years ago. and
the firemen OF the Southern Pacific were
involved. The strike occurred on the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-18

everything else having been tried. the
railroads asked for the good offices of the
Knapp and Neill responded imme dia te-
ly. They met the hostile interests in Chi
cago and after one weeks very strenuous
work with them they submitted to both
sides form of agreement which was ac-
cepted. To this day the exact terms of
that agreement are not known. No one
has told what the railroads conceded nor
what the men agreed to waive. But the
labor organizations did express their
great satisfaction that the necessity for
striking was removed. and several of the
railroads through their officials took pains
10 let the mediators know in an official
manner their qualification that the mat
ter had been we'll disposed of.
After this came three cases OF media
ton. one on the Rio Grande and two on
the Missouri Pacific. They We're settled
with satisfaction to all concerned, and
then came another big controversy, sec
ond in importance only to that in which
the western roads and their employees
were engaged.
This was the case of the southea stern
railroads.
Notices had been served by practically
every railroad east of the Illinois Cen trail
and south of the Chesapeake and Ohio
that at the end of a specified time. gen
orally thirty days being named, reduced
wage scale would be put in opera ton.
The men retorted that they would strike
Then application was made by the South
ern railway for mediation. The request
was granted. and while mediation was in
progress the trainmen on the other rail-
roads where similar questions were at
issue applied for mediation in their own
behalf. On their part the railroads agreed
to suspend the attempt to enforce new
wage scale until the attempt at media
ton had resulted in either success or
failure.
The case of the Southern was taken up
first. Negotiations consumed nearly a
months time. Then n settlement was
agreed on. 1t amounted practically to an
armistice, for the road said II would con-
tinue the existing wage scale for three
months. Then, when the three months
had passed. the medators gained the con-
sent of the road to a further extension
of the status quo for another three
months.
Application of Common Sense.
All of the other railroads concerned fol-
lowed the example Of the Southern. Thus
by the application of common sense meth
DDS a series of disastrous strikes was
averted
There is another case where mediation
came at the request of both trainmen
and railroads. This was when the Chi
cago, Rock Island and Pacific found it,
self unable to agree with its telegraphers
regarding the proper Interpretation of the
ninehour law.
In this case but one road was involved
directly. but 1t Is evident and the fact
we'll understood. that whatever had
been the outcome of the dispute the con-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-18

How it happened he could not tell. save
that after the downward movement and
the plunge and amid the roar from the
burning, crumpled beams and splintered
wood he found himself floating on the
surface of the stream close to the shore
For his salvation he gave credit to
queer fetch tina; he carried in his pocket.
1t was a scrap of an old mail sack frayed
and faded, and which he had saved from
wreck of former years. Three times
has he been in wrecks since then, he says
and in each instance he has escaped Sc
rious injury
Went Back After Rag.
Once, in hurriedly changing his clothes
before going to work. this clerk said he
forgot the mystic piece OF mail sack. He
discovered his forgetfulness when a Few
miles out on his run, and. fearing TO pro-
ceed he alighted at the next station
pleading Illness and returned to his home
An hour later the train on which he haa
been working was wrecked.
There are few. if any. departments IN
the great transportation industry of the
country whose members are no: gov
erned by their superstitiOnS. There is
many a conductor who never starts on d
trip without a flower in his buttonhole
\ story is related OF one man on the
Southern who for more than twenty-five
years has worn "A red rose every morning,
in season and out of season, as a protec
ton against accident. 1t is remarkable
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-18

division between FL Paso and New Or
leans. Both sides seemed stubborn, and
there was imminent likelihood that the
trouble would spread to other divisions
of the Southern Pacific and to other
roads. When things got to looking de-
cidedly nasty the railroad company
sought the help of the government.
Chairman Knapp of the interstate COM
merce commission and Labor Commits
sioner Charles =. Neill. as bound to do by
law. rendered their services as media
tors. The men conferred with the me-
diatOrs through their representatives and
a satisfactory settlement of the dispute
was reached.
Every mile of. railroad in the United
States and Canada west of the Illinois
Central and the great lakes was involved
in the second dispute that came before
the mediatorS.
before the matter got to the mediation
stage feeling on both sides had grown
tense. The men were convinced that
their most cherished rights were being
infringed on or that they were being
wholly ignored They were in a decided
ly ugly mood
On the other hand, the railroads were ir-
ritated by negotiations which had already
extended over long period, and they
were quietly. but actively, preparing to
conduct what promised TO be one of the
longest, most stubborn and farthest reach
ing railroad labor fights the country had
ever seen
The difficulty began away back in 1907,
when the trainmen made demands for bet
ter wages more faVOra BILE working hours
and general Improvement in their work
ing conditions. The railroads were dis
inclined to grant the demands, and while
negotiations were held. the failure Of
either side to make any material cOnces-
sions gradually brought about the feeling
of hostility which threatened disaster not
only to the parties to the controversy,
but to great industrial industries and to
most OF the people living on the lines
of railroad and dependent on them in a
most vital way for everything, even for
their daily food.
Appeal to Erdman Act.
Finally. as last and perhaps as an
almost hopeless resort, appeal was made
to the provisions of the Erdman act. But
frs. the railroads, by request of the men,
united in naming committees. The various
organizations of trainmen also named
committees. and the questions in dispute
were taken up systematically.
The negotiations failed. Two months
were consumed in discussions and meet
ings. No agreement vas reached, but
ever All the railroads III the west con-
cerned in the controversy saw the men
taking votes on the course to follow. The
result was a decision to strike unless the
railroads made what We're considered by
the operators as reasonable concessions
That meant that about 10000 men, en-
gagged in operating trains all over the
great west. stood ready to go out at a
word. tying up traffic for an indeterminate
period.
1t was most serious situation, and,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-18
The Tune Kermit Whistled.

From the lcysland Leader.
Nj w W MILF, well known lawyer
of Philad ,lpl.ia. tells an anecdote of Kerr
nit oosevelt. the Pres dents son.
Il was acting as steward" says Mr..
Miller. in some gymllhana races ut
oyster Bay. and one OF the events was
race in which the contestants had TO ride
a given distance TO a certain spot. where
an equal number of young ladies stood
with pencil. paper and envelope. Each
rider had to d!smount here and whistle
tune. the lady writing its name down on
the paper. She then had to seal IL up in
the envelope and hand il 10 the rider. who
remounted and finished the race. deliv-
ering the envelope 20 the judges stand.
The first one in with a correct answer
won the event
LAS steward. | was lpnutized before
the race to write down lie name OF the
tune each entrant WOE Il whistle.
What are YOU going 10 whistle! ]
asked young Kermit.
- I'm going to whistle. Everybody
Works But Father said the Presidents
SON."
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-18

Gu be. DeileNe III EN-.
AND l.. souirted stream OF TOBACCO
Juice across the gIistening rails with d"
air e inality.
Tell us about en-. Bob, urged
greasy wiper. to whom the engineer rep
.esented the acme OF attainment, anu VINO
4potheosized the men WHO drove the IRON
monsters ;nat he merely cleaned
Chest once saved my life. volunteered
Bob shifting lis quid. Fact III was
sorne years ago. when l was On the run
% Atlanta The night was black, ana
he rain risi pouring down in buckets /
Vas running behind time and when got
o a bit of road tia | thought would be
al right ] let her OUT for all she was
worth.
I'VE mus; have been doing at least
seventy miles an hour. when. out of the
iarlness there cane something white.
bought il nigh, tie only freak of my
-aEcy until l ii running along with
lie train. keeping right up with the en-
zine. Then | thought il must he cloud
,ut a creepy chill went up my spine. Sud
ienly the white thing dashed onto the
Cacks, and in the glare of the head
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-18

dread him SO much that they refuse to
ride on his train.
These and many other superstitions.
willie tkov must add TO the mental unrest
of the train,ueu. contribute to the excite
ment of aH exciting life.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-18
DR.. Neill's Equipment.

HOSTS" calculated the griz-
$$K Zled engineer. as he seated
- himself on "A pile OF ties at
the Southern roundhOuse.
..YCu be. | believe in EN-. y
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-18

sion. which secretly lie would be willing
TO make To bring about a settlement. for
fear That il Will be accepted a sign OF
yielding and made the basis of further de-
mands. while the employe hestates or is
unwilling 10 make amy further concessions
for fear that they Will be regarded by
hls adversary as sign OF yielding, and
thus lead 10 failure To get what he hon.
estly thinks h" Is entitled TO and what he
would really b. willing To accept. So l
say tie law c0ntempiates. as We think
and as We have tried TO administer H.
that the duty of the mediator is not TO
form judgment OF how the controversy
ought 10 he settled, hut TO lind out now
il can be settled. t. discover. TO spe ak.
the weak point on each side. Ia see where
the needful concession is likely To bring
about settlement. 81 that at the proper
time and after the negotiations have con-
tinued as far useful. the medlators
themselves may suggest terms OF settle
ment which they have. 10y previous init
NATION. been advised both sides would he
willing to accept. and happily that resut
has been reached III practically every in
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-18

WHERE are in Washington two
men who occupy unique posi-
tons in Uncle Sans official
family. They are designated
L. 4 L. nH nia
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-18

Preliminaries were quickly settled upon
The mediators lost no time, but met at
10 o'clock In the morning on the first day.
and the petitioners for the mediation APP
peared and stated their several cases.
Then, as per agreement, first one side and
The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-09-12
FOR MOTOR CAR CLUB
MEETING TO RE HELD FOR ORGAN
 IZATION.
Montgomery Has More Than a Hundred Cars and the Roads About the City are Excel
 lent


 Those interested in a motor car club for Montgomery are beginning to sit up and talk about 1t as winter ap- breaches and the signs are favorable to one being formed.
 With more than a hundred cars in the city" said one of those interested yesterday, i've ought to have crack ing good club here.
 "The roads about the city are all that could be asked. and there never will be the slightest prospect of auto races or a big meet here until there is a club to take care of the arrange ments. We have garages in the city that even the owners of machines do not seem to appreciate. They are cap able of handling any make of car and there is never a kick about their work With the hundred cars for nucleus there Is no reason why Montgomery should not have a club as good as any"
 The prospect of a club being formed sent M. G. Patterson, local motor ist on a tour of inspection through the big factories of the North and he says the evolution of the car in the last year is surprising: that many improvements have been made and the old idea of cars being made to sell and not to wear, can be discarded. The big factories, in spite of the panic, are doing a splendid business and the car of '0e will be something to set the heart of an enthusiast pattering.
 It has been proposed that. car own CTS hold meeting some time in the near future and take steps towaros forming a club.