The sun., 1909-05-26
MAY ARBTTRATE R, R. STRIKE
ALL TRAINS LIKELY TO BE RUN
MING AGAIN IN "a HOURS.
Expected That Gov. Smiths suggestion
That the Matter Be Left to SIX Ge0r.
CLANS viii Re Accepted Labor
Commissioner Nci,l on the Ground.

That the Matter lie left 10 s,S &seOr'
Einns VIII he Accepted Labor
Commissioner Nciv Oh the Ground.
ATLANTA, May 25.-Arbitration was the
keynote Of the Georgia Railroad strike
situation to-day, and as a result Of the
many conferences held during the after
noon and evening it now looks like the
strike is near an end, and it is confidently
expected that trains will resume their
schedules within forty-eight hours and
possibly earlier.
Commissioner of Labor Neil arrived
in Atlanta about O'Clock this afternoon,
and shortly afterward was in conference
with General Manager Scott of the Georgia
road at the Piedmont Hotel. The con-
ference lasted for over an hour. but no
statement was given out by Scott when
II was over.
Then Commissioner Neill called on
Second Vice President Ball of Toronto,
who leads the strikers. and held con-
sultstion with him.
The impression prevails that while
Neills friendly offices will prove Of value
in bringing the two sides together the
actual work of arbitration will be left
to board of six Georgians. as suggested
by Gov. Hoke Smith.
The Governor proposed that each side
appoint three prominent Georgians to
act as board of mediation, before which
the strikers and the road should appear
and present their sides of the situation
Ball accepted and appointed John Lee,
president of the farmers union; Congress
man Hardwick, and Judge Horace Holden
Of the Supreme Court of Georgia. The
first two accepted, but Judge Holden
declined, saying that the case might come
into the Supreme Court and then he would
be disqualified.
1t is understood that Mr.. Scott made
persistent efforts to-day to reach eN-Gov.
Northen, and it is believed that he wants
him to be one of the roads arbitrators.
Scott has been averse to settling the
strike in this way, but the directors of his
road to-day. il is said, urged this course
upon him.
In the afternoon n conference was
held at the Capitol by Gov. Smith, Attor-
ney General John Hart, General Manager
Scott. Sanders Mcdaniel one of the At
lanta attorneys for the road, and Major
Cummings. who also represents the
road. After it was over Gov Smith and
Attorney General Hart expressed them
selves as gratitied with the progress made,
and as feeling more confident than ever
that the strike soon would be settled.
According to the strikers. Gov. Smith
is in sympathy with their cause. Last
night at strikers meeting the president
Of the local union declared that before
the strike began he went To the Gov ,Tnor.
Mayor Maddox of Atlanta and others
and stated the cause of the firemen,
He says they all declared the firemen's
cause just and their demands reasonable.
No trains have been running for eighty
hours. and the people along the route
of the Georgia, who are without other
means of getting their mail and provi
sions and other necessities, are suffering.
Atlanta and Augusta post offices are badly
congested by the immense amount of
mail which cannot ~ sent out
WAsHISGToN. May 25.-Post Office De-
Dartment officials are considerably con-
cerned over the mail situation in Georgia
brought about by the strike on the Georgia
Railroad. According 10 informa ton re-
ceived at the Department to-day no mail
has moved over the main line running
from Atlanta to Augusta for many hours.
While not wanting to do anything which
will have the effect of intensifying the
feeling along the road. the Department
will Use every effort to relieve the unprec-
edented congestion Of mail caused by
The strike. Superintendent of Mails l.. NJ.
Terrell at Atlanta was authorized this
afternoon to ask the officials of the road
to send mail cars alone over the main
and branch lines OF the railroad. Supt.
Terrell it is expected. will take up this
matter Immediately with the officials and
be will probably suggest that the engines
draw ing the ma il cars be manned by white
men pending the settlement of the trou-
ble. II these mail trains carrying mail
alone are interfered with the Depart
ment will undoubtedly take radical action.
Postmaster-General Hitchcock and
Second Assistant Postmaster General
Stewart are both out Of the city. The
latter has charge Of the contracts with the
railroads for the transportation of the
mails. In his absence and that of Post
master-General Hitchcock the Depart
ment is somewhat crippled in dealing with
the situation, which is Unprecedented
since the Interference with the movement
Of United States mails in Chicago several
years ago. when President Cleveland sent
Federal troops to the scene.