The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-05-30
This Is the First Interference
Of the State of Georgia in
The Strike of the Road
Firemen.
DECLARE OFF STRIKE
AFTER ACTION TAKEN
Two Offers to Move Freight
Trains Were Made Yester-
day, Indicating That There
Is a Break Coming.
ll!4AIe

Atlanta, Ca. May 29-Georgia
state officials today instructed the
sheriff of Lithonia to summon a posse
of sufficient size to protect and insure
the movement of freight cars from Lii
thonia to Atlanta. This was the first
interference by the state in the strike
on the Georgia railroad and it applied
only to the situation at Lithonia. Soon
after this action was taken the strike
was declared off.
Last nights attack on freight train
at Lithonia was serious outbreak of
racial feeling and violence. Consider.
able damage was done to the brake
system of the thirteen stalled freight
cars and big rocks were thrown at the
negro fireman on an Atlanta engine
sent to pull out the freight.
Although the mail train from Allan
ia was allowed, without the slightest
demonstration, to move the freight
cars this morning so that the mail
could pass. nevertheless the attitude
of the community was still far from
peaceful.
Shows Fighting Spirit.
Two offers to move the freight cars
were made today, and at least one of
them indicated a fighting spirit. This
was practically an ultimatum from
leaders among Lithonia strike sympa-
thizers. These terms were that a
brotherhood engineer and a local white
fireman should be used. and an an
nouncement that 1t must be distinctly
understood that only these thirteen
cars OF perishable freight were to Be
moved
The other proposition to move the
freight was made through the sheriff,
who offered his protection. General
Manager Scott notified Assistant Chief
Burgess. head of the engineers, of this
offer. and Burgess accepted the sher-
iff's offer.
Waiting on Knapp and Stewart.
The arrival was awaited from Wash
ington Of Chairman Knapp. Of the in
terstate commerce commission, and
Second Assistant Postmaster General
Stewart, who come at the direct in
stance of President Taft to investigate
the strike situation on the Georgia
railroad with a view to aiding in bring
ing about settlement.
It was not known along what lines
these men would proceed in consider
ing the situation, but there was a gen
eral feeling that since they come as the
direct agents of the president and at
his earnest solicitation, something def
mite and satisfactory would be accom-
plished without much further delay.
Arbitration Possible.
The arbitration feature of the Geor-
gia railroad strike was simplified to-
day. 1t was announced that General
Manager Scott. of the railroad. now
has full power to say whether or not
there shall be arbitration for every
mile of track covered by Georgia
trains
Up to today Mr.. Scott could speak
only for the Georgia railroad proper
but not for the action of the Atlanta
Joint Terminals company. controlling
the tracks and yards in this city af-
tected by the Strike.
Fourth Vice President and General
Manager Evans. of the Louisville &
Nashville railroad who. with Mr.. Scott
is director Of the Atlanta Joint Ter
minals company. left here last night
They reached an understanding dhat
Mr.. Scott could speak for the directors
Of the terminals company and say
whether or not this company. together
with the Georgia railroad, would &C
cept Governor Smiths proposition for
arbitration.
Some of the firemen on the mail
trains today were negroes and others
were non-union white men.
Feeling Along the Line.
Along the line the feeling was de-