Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-06-24
Railway Attorney Declares Flrenen
are Trying 10 Intlmldate
Commission.
MAYOR OF lIIHoNlA ON STAND
Before objection TO Testimony is
Sustained, Witness Says That Feo.
pie OF Georgia viii Not Permit
Negroes to Run as Firemen--Await-
ing Settlement Now.
(By Associated press.)

u
ATLANTA, GA. June 23.--Charg-
ing that the fIremen were trying 20
intimidate the arbitrators. Major Cum
mlngs, representing the Georgia Rail-
read before the arbitration commits
SIGN. objected strongly this afternoon,
to the introduction OF any testimony
as to the condition of pubic opinion
upon the merits of the strike.
The liremen had introduced Mayor
Brand. Of .ithonia. II was at Lithonla
that much disorder occurred ana sew
eral negro firemen were severely
whipped II was proposed to har
Mayer Brand tell not only Of past ash
saults upon the negro fremen. but 10
give IL as his opinion that, IL the
firemen were restored to the cab by
the decision of the board OF arbitra-
ton. the people would resort to vio-
lence again.
Might AS Well Let Mob Rule.
This is gross contempt OF the COM
mission said Cummings. trembling
with anger. IF such testimony be adj
mitted we had as well close down our
courts and let mob violence rule.
The contention here now is simply
that the f;remen In effect say: We
may be wrong In our contempt, but
even IL we are and you gentlemen de-
eide against us the people OF Georgia
will rise up in mobs and override
YOU / think this is libel upon the
good people OF this state. | most ser
lousy object tc the admission of such
testimony
Attorney Rueben Arnold argued
spiritedly that the board was not
court: that II should permit a wide
latitude and In its award. disregard
such testimony as was not considered
proper. He claimed, however, that
the commission had a right, nay q
duty to hear such evidence and TO
consider 1t, as 1t affected the safety
of all other employees and even pas
sengers.
Won't Permit Negroes to Run.
Before. Major Cummings interrupt
ed Brand had declared that the peo-
pie along the line Of the Georgia
Railroad were only permitting the
negro fircmeH to work now because
they were assured that the arbitrators
would decide IL favor of the white en-
pioyees. He was confident that IL the
commission decided IN favor OF the
NIT the blacks to run.
The arbitrators upon the conclusion
of Arnold's argument, went into exc
cutive session. at the end of which
they announced that they would ex-
SIude al, testimony as to public ooir.
:oG as not relevant
Il may say" said NJ Herbert,
that the decision is by unanimous
consent"
Blew to FIreren-
This was a severe blow - the IRE
men. But they went on gamely, offer
ing cumulative testimony rs to the un-
fitness OF the negro as a fireman.
About Is mayors and peace officers
OF towns along the Georgia railroad
who had been summoned were noti-
fica trey might &c home. The dicis-
~ probably vii shorten the hearing
- itness after witness swore thst
Hsr-oes were too incompetent an7
s;I,ad TO be sasc frcmen, and that aGe
&C rgis Railroad cid not hold .hom 20
Accountability Tor the violation % the
Ordinary rules d -sfety. The sjssess
- ave names ard dates 70 sEb-
s.antiate their statements.
Il also developed that when an en-
CINE came in from a run with n negro
fireman on the box and was sent out
with a white man firing. the white
man had TO put his clothes IN the
box used by the negro and had 10
drink from the same cup which the
negro bad used.
Union Agreed % E!irinstc-
Major Cummings asked that Vice
president Beil. Of the brotherhood OF
Firemen and Enginemen be recalled.
ne asked Ball II AZ the last conyen-
ficn Of the order At Columbia. Ohio.
the brotherhood had not agreed that
Il vas time 90 eleminsfe the negro
from the cab I'm all the So1fh BAH
said he did not recall T. Several wit
ncsses said that negro fremen cannot
be depended upon 70 flag a. they via
not Ko back the 7.70o feet required
By the rules. Tbey also fesfire1
afresh % the neEro's tendency 20 %
to sleep every time he sits down IN
less he n watched