Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1908-03-13
DECLARES
IT ABSURD
PRESIDENT JOHNSON ENfPHAT-
IcALLY DENIES THE RUMoRs
THAT HIS ROAD is NOT HAND
LING ALL THE BUSINESS 1T
GAN GET. IN ORDER TO Eff
Feet a CrT IN WAGES.

President l.. Il. Johnson in a let
ter written to w. ii. Coffman, presi-
dent OF the Bluefield-Graham Cham
Der OF Commerce. denies on behalf
OF the management of the Norfolk
and Western rai;way that his COM
pany is deliberately sidetracking
cars in order to AFFECT the scale OF
wages OF its employees, by reducing
the number and hours OF those EN-.
ployed. President Johnson says:
The rumor that you tell me is
current at Blueheld, that this com
pany does not want business and is
trying to produce hard times in or
der to cut down wages is 80 absurd
that | am at a loss TO know in what
language to contradict it. Anyone
who would originate such a charge
or would give It currency by repeat
ing II with his approval has proba-
bly, already made up his mind not to
be convinced to the contrary either
by statements or resolutions. and
hence l imagine II would be idle to
make an attempt so to do.
81 do not, however, believe that
this suggestion comes from any one
of the patrons OF our road or from
any OF It's employees.
The policy of this company does
not change. but it's business affairs
must conform TO changing condi-
lions, else the time will not be far
from distant when II would be un-
able to carry out any policy of any
kind.
Those who have taken the trou-
BILE to study the situation with refer
ence to this company must realize
that It's consistence has been to aid
in every way within its power pro-
gressive development of the local
communities dependent upon it for
transportation facilities. This policy
has been inaugurated and main
tanned because the company has felt
we'll assured that in the long run
such policy is the safest and best
for the prosperity OF the railroad it.
self. Our entire investment has
been made upon that belief and 1T
Is the confident assurance OF the
owners OF the T0ad as well as of its
management, that this theory is
founded upon good common sense
and in the end will win out. At
least we are not prepared to give IL
up yet and Il VIII take harder times
than have yet come for the Norfolk
& Western Railway company to un-
dertake to discourage in any way
the business along the lines OF its
rails, either from the wicked motive
imputed to IL by the rumor or from
any other reason whatsoever. AS a
matter of fact. Il believes, as the
result of many years work on that
line, that every motive of self-inter-
est induces it TO encourage local
traffic and the development of local
industry"
In regard to the question of wages
President Johnson says:
The relations of this company
with its employees has been the sub
jet OF just pride to the manage
ment This relationship is the sub
ject Of regular and friendly con-
ference and we have the loyal sup
port of the men who serve this com
pany, whatever may be the grade Ut
their employment. The question Of
proper wages to be paid under the
present conditions is a matter which
Is now under consideration between
the employees OF this company and
its management. 10 will receive the
grave, patient and intelligent con-
alteration which the magnitude OF
the question demands. but - will
not be affected, I'm my judgment, BY
the whisperings OF wicked rumors
that you tell me are abroad at