The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-05-29
Georgia People Are in Sympathy
With Railroad Firemen
In Their Fight Against the EN-
ployment of Negroes.
A WHITE MANS FIGHT
And There Is a Disposition to
Carry 1t to a Finish.
A Train Is Boarded and Broken
Up at Lithonia.

Atlanta, Ga. May 29-With an
interest indescribable the arrival is
| awaited today from Washington OF
Chairman Knapp of the Interstate
Commerce commission and Second
Assistant Postmaster General Stew
art, who come at the direct in
stance of President Taft to in
vestigate the strike situation on the
Georgia railroad with a view to aid
ing in bringing about a settlement
1t is not known along what lines
these men will proceed in consider
ing the situation. but there is a gen.
eral feeling that since they come as
the direct agents of the president
and at his earnest solicitation some
thing definite and satisfactory will
be accomplished without much fur
ther delay.
After a brief conference late last
night with Commissioner of Labor
Neill. C. E. Evans, fourth vice presi-
dent of the Louisville & Nashville
railroad, left the city, nothing being
given out as result of his visit.
Negro firemen today occupy seats
opposite the white engineers on the
different mail trains that are
operated over the Georgia railroad.
IL Lie CIl6IuCCIS ucNG objected 10
these men because OF their color,
there has not been the slightest in
dication of it. Rather the engineers
are heard to speak with the usual
friendliness in ordering Bob or
"Dick" to "stoke 'er up and get a
move on YOU
People Side With Strikers.
But out on the line the feeling is
unmistakable and it is decidedly ad-
verse to the presence of negro fire.
men.
People living near the Georgia
railroad between Atlanta and
Augusta are in sympathy with the
pathies, as has been demonstrated
within the last few days are apt to
get the better of their Judgment
They have taken up the fight for
the white firemen ard they are MAX
ing it a white mans fight and fight
they declare to a finish.
The violence at Lithonia last night
was known within an hour in almost
every town along the Georgia rail-
road and 1t served to add to the al
ready embittered feelings of re-
sentiment manifested against the rail-
operating the mail trains yesterday.
At Union Point and Thomas excite
ment was reported at high pitch
near midnight.
Inspectors on Every Train.
Every one of the mail trains sent
out today carries United States post
Office inspectors, as was the case
yesterday, and it is realized that an
overt act directed against a member
might result in still further and more
serious complications. The postal
authorities state positively this
morning. however, that they do not
anticipate the slightest trouble in the
operation of the mail trains.
The first violence to railroad prop
erty in the Georgia railroad fire
mems strike occurred last night to
moving freight train at Lithonia,
Ca, and in consequence the race is
sue doomed more sharply than ever
over the situation, notwithstanding
day of much apparent progress to-
ward settlement. A negro fireman
was apparently the cause of the
trouble and he was rushed to At
lanta on an engine to save him from
threatening situation. The trouble
started in the boarding of the train
by men, who set the brakes and
broke it in three sections: The
freight train blocked the main line
and the progress of the mails. The
railroad officers declared that the in
cident was the work of strike sympas
thizers, while a county official wired
the governors office that 1t was
merely an accident.
State Takes Hand.
Atlanta, Ca, May 29.-The state Off
cials today instructed the sheriff at
Lithonia to summon a posse suff1-
cient to protect and insure the move
ment of the stalled freight cars from
Lithonia to Atlanta.
This is the first interference by the
state in the strike and it applies only
to the situation at Lithonia.
Negro Is Badly Beaten.
Augusta, Ca, May 29.-A negro fire
man was badly beaten by white men in
the Georgia railroad yards near this
city this afternoon. One arm was bro
ken Two white men were arrested.
Weather Indications.
Chicago, May 29.-Forecast for Kan
sas: Partly cloudy and cooler tonight
with probably showers in extreme east
portion; Sunday fair and cooler.