Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-05-28
OFFICIALS
OFFER TO OPERATE
A MAIL EXPRESS
Government Won't Force Road
to Run Mail Train-Is Anxiius
Not to Take Sides in the Con-
troversy.

II was learned Thursday that the post
office department has proposed TO Gen
eraI Manager Scott, of the Georgia road,
that the department shall run one mall
train daily each way over the Georgia
road from here to Augusta, but that no
acceptance of this proposition has been
made.
Several days ago this proposition was
first made and was repeated Thursday
1t is understood that the only reply from
the road was through General Manager
Scott. who said that ne did not believe a
crew could be got to run such a train.
No steps have been taken TO put such
a train on the road. No definite answer
has been made by the road to the pro-
posals.
That the government is exceedingly
anxious to operate a mail train is known
to be afact and since the second propos-
al of the postal authorities was made to
General Manager Scott there has been
considerable correspondence on the sub
ject. IL is said. Washington officials are
said to be deeply interested and to be
bringing every pressure to bear to get
the Georgia road to consent to a strictly
mail train being operated. Whether Gen.
eral Manager Scott will agree to this
proposition is a matter of grave doubt.
He declines absolutely to discuss 1t.
An Associated Press dispatch announces
the receipt in Washington of Vice Presi-
dent E. A. Balls telegram to the post
master general, In which Mr.. Ball denied
that the firemen are interfering with the
United States mails by remaining out on
a strike. On the other hand, Mr.. Ball
pledges the support of the firemen TO give
the postoffice department their coopera-
ton in the delivery of mails.
ASSISTANT POSTMASTER TALKS.
In discussing the situation Second As
sistant Postmaster General Stewart de-
clared that while the department would
be glad to get the mails through in any
way practicable. so as to supply the
service. he expressed doubt whether the
department could compel the Geogia
Railroad company to divide it's trains
and run a car for mail purposes only.
That, said Mr.. Stewart, involves a legal
question which might arise under the
federal statutes II the company attempt
ed TO make up a full train and run it and
there was physicist fnterference. That Is
a question. he said. which has been pass
ed upon by the federal courts and will
be one entirely for the department of JUS
tice to handle. The most that could be
done. Mr.. Stewart declared, is to insist
upon performance of the mail service
and IL there is any interference in that
service then 1t would be for the depart
ment of justice TO take action IL 1t
amounted to a violation of the statute.
The postoffice department officials are
anxious to avoid any appearance of TAX
ing sides in the controversy between the
railroad and its employees and for that
reason is moving with the greatest care.
Considerable discretion has been given
the local officials in charge along the line
of the tied-up system and the postmasters
and railway mail officials have been au-
thOrized to adopt any proper means for
getting the mails through from point to
point. The hand. car service between
Athens and Union Point, with a postal
clerk aboard the car. is. however, the
nearest semblance to any regular service.
Chairman Knapp. OF the interstate COM
merce commission, has not decided wheth-
er he will go to the scene of the strike.
He is awaiting word from Commissioner
of Labor Nefll.