Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-06-01
WOULD HAVE ASKED.
RECEIVER FOR ROAD
Governor and Attorney Waited
Filing of Decisive Bill Only Be-
cause Settlement Seemed Immi-
nent-Gov Smiths Statement.

What last resort was Governor Smith
on behalf of the state preparing to adopt
for the emergencies of the strike situa-
ton when the strike was suddenly set
tied yesterday afternoon?
The answer to this question, though not
of practical moment now, is just as in
teresting as il would have been IS hours
ago. For during the past week activity
has been continuously astir in the exec
utive office at the capitol. 1t was known
beyond question that Governor Smith and
Attorney General Hart were at work day
and night on a definite plan to relieve
the acute crisis which the strike had as
sumed. They were at work on plan to
restore the operation of freight and pas
senger trains on the Georgia railroad
They had agreed upon such a plan and
had reduced it to a specific and thor
oughly practicable shape.
As early as Thursday afternoon the
last resort had been determined on.
And this was civil authority, not mar
tial force.
The plan was this: A bill had been pre-
pared by the attorney general in the
name of the state of Georgia, to be filed
under the governors authority and with
his approval, asking that receiver be
named for the Georgia railroad on the
ground that its failure to operate trains
was q DIcdCn VI It's NOANA at NA1AA VIC
state, the roads charter having been
granted by the state. The fact that the
state was a stakeholder in the road was
not introduced into the bill.
Ordinarily this bill would have been
presented to Judge Hammond, of the SUI
perior court of Richmond county, at Au-
gusta, that being the domicile OF the
Georgia railroad. But Judge Hammond
was disqualified by the fact that he is
~ he ba
! for a receiver could have been fled in
any superior court of the state. 1t is
thought, however, that 1t would have
| been filed in Atlanta.
The details of the bill are not known,
though 1t is certain that it's foundation in
| equity was broad and deep enough TO
have assured affirmative response from
the court. A receiver, therefore, as the
plan contemplated, would have been
named by the court and under the courts
direction trains would have been put into
| speedy operation. Nor is there any doubt
| that the firemen employed on them
would have been white firemen.
This action was virtually determined
| upon following the refusal of the roads
| general manager to submit the issues OF
the strike TO a board of six Georgians
as recommended by the governor and at
| torney general. Indeed, the actual FL
| ing of the bill was deferred from hour
/ to hour on Friday and Saturday only be-
/ cause of positive intimations that set
| Element of the strike was imminent
l through Labor Commissioner Neil and
| Chairman Knapp of the interstate come
merce commission. Yesterday the at
| torney general was in the act OF pro-
| ceeding to the court when news reached
| the capitol that the settlement was all
| but in sight.
In the interim between Monday and
yesterday, the only specific interference
was at Lithonia and there the situation
was settled with thorough peace and sat-
| isfaction when the sheriff of the county
and Railroad Commissioner Gambler un-
der the direction of the governor, were
upon the scene Saturday morning Thus
armed force was proved not necessary
and under the plan represented in the bill
would never have become necessary.
! 1t is learned further that the state and
federal authorities maintained a mutual
understanding as to the needs of the sit
uation. The department of justice at
Washington relied upon District Attorney
Tate for suggestions as to its conduct in
| the matter.
Governor Smith expressed qualification
Hast evening that the strike has been set
tied, but did not then see fit to discuss
1.-THE various stages of the situation as
they have developed from day to day or
its aftermath except in the following
statement:
| II do not desire at this time TO dis
cuss the subject further than to express
| my qualification that the people Of the
section in spite of intense excitement
have refrained from injury to property or
any considerable injury to person and
that so grave a situation has passed
without more serious disaster. wish to
express my appreciation of Attorney Gem
eral Harris valuable service"