Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-05-25
Governors Suggestion That Fire
men and Railroad Each APP
point 8 Representatives Accept
ed by Vice President Ball.
GENERAL MANAGER SCOTT
HAD NOT REPLIED
EARLY IN AFTERNOON
Vice President Ball Says Strike is
to Continue While Arbitration
Board is Meeting-Men Named
by Him.

Through the Joint efforts of Attorney
General Hart and Governor Smith Mon
day morning a definite move was taken
for a settlement OF the strike OF the fire
men on the Georgia railroad. The attor-
ney general suggested that an arbitration
board of six be named. three by General
Manager Scott, Of the road. and three by
Vice President &. A. Ball. Of the Broth
erhood of Railway Firemen, and that
these six by empowered by both sides to
make recommendations looking toward an
adjustment Of the differences.
This suggestion was approved by the
governor and by o'clock he was send
ing a dispatch to General Manager Scott
and a letter to Vice President Ball set
ting forth the plan, indorsing il and ask
ing each side TO name its representa-
lives IL they are named, the entire
board OF arbitrators will meet in At
Ianta as soon as possible and begin ne
gotiations. II Is hoped that an amicable
agreement will be reached.
Vice President Ball accepted the prop
osition of the governor and named as the
firemen's representatives on the commit
tee Judge Horace Holden, Of Atlanta,
John Lee president Farmers union, I'm
OF Sandersville.
Up to l D. m. General Manager Scott
had not replied to the governors sugges-
ton, and # is impossible to anticipate
just what his attitude viii be.
FIREMEN TO STAY OUT.
In discussing the subject Vice President
Ball stated that in no sense would the
committee comprise an arbitration board;
that its duties would simply be to hear
- ka#r zfr
men and the Georgia railroad and recon-
mends a basis of settlement which could
either be accepted or rejected as the fire
men and railroad choose. Mr.. Ball also
declared that the firemen would not re-
turn to work pending a settlement. He
said that until a perfect and permanent
settlement was agreed upon they would
remain on strike.
GOVERNORS LETTER.
The following is the communication sent
by Governor Smith TO both Col Scott and
Vice President Ball; ~. q
May "a, 1909
Mr. T. X Scott, Augusta. Ca. - 49,. 49,
On Saturday morning I requested Hon.
John c. Hart. attorney general. to make
a trip over the Georgia railroad for OBJ
servation, and to confer with yourself and
Mr. Ball TO see what could be done to
bring about an adjustment of the differ
ences. Judge Hart has made the follow
ing report and recommendations:
Governor Hoke Smith
Dear Sir: After investigating on yes
tetday, at your request, conditions along
the line OF the Georgia railroad, beg to
advise the situation is one of great grav-
ity. conferred also with Mr.. 7. K.
Scott, general manager of the Georgia
railroad, and Mr. z. A. Ball, vice presi-
dent of the Brotherhood of Locomotive
Firemen. 1 was impressed with the fact
that both Mr.. Scott and Mr.. Ball realize
the seriousnetss of the situation. In view
of the fact that the public is injuriously
affected by the cessation of all railroad
business and deeply interested in the
preservation of peace and good order ]
suggest that you. as chief executive. re-
quest Mr.. Scott and Mr.. Ball to appear
before a board of Georgians consisting of
six. three chosen by Mr.. Sctt and three
by Mr.. Ball, to whom difference should
be submitted with power to recommend a
basis OF settlement. Yours respectfully,
JOHN c. HART.
Attorney General
concur with Judge Hart in the recon-
mendation made, and ask that you name
at once three Georgians who may meet
with three Georgians to be named by Mr..
Rail- that the six together with yourself
and Mr.. Ball may endeavor TO reach a
settlement OF the issues between you.
am sending a similar communication
to Mr.. Ball. Very truly yours,
HOKE SMITH. Governor.
Vice President Balls reply to the above
letter was as follows:
ATLANTA. Ca, May "a. 1909.
Governor Hoke Smith, Atlanta. Ca
Dear Sir: Your favor of May oath re-
ceived. relative TO appointing a commit
tee consisting of six persons from Geor-
gia. three being appointed by Mr.. Scott
and three by me. to whom the differ
ences on the Georgia railroad should be
submitted. with the power of recommend
ing a basis OF settlement
wish to say on behalf Of the employees
whom 1 represent. that. believing our
cause is just reasonable and will stand
investigation, I hereby accept your prop
ositiOn. We name as our representatives
on that committee Judge Holden, OF At
lanta. Mr.. John Lee, president of the
Farmers union. Union iCty. Ca. and
Congressman Thos. Hardwick. Of San
dersville. Ga. believing that they are men
whose character and stability cannot be
questioned. Respectfully yours,
z. A BALL,
Second Vice Pres. Brotherhood Of Loco
motive Firemen and Enginemen