The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-26

Atlanta, May 25-How less than 100 strik- ing Georgia railroad firemen were able to stop practically all train service in a ter ritory ITO miles long was the knotty prob lem into which United States Labor Com missioner Neil plunged immediately after his arrival here tonight. AS an emissary of conciliation he faced first the race problem, the force behind the strike; sec- ond. an announced wish of many persons in this section to have Georgia assume this question of arbitration; and third the necessity of moving the United States mails immediately. Within two hours after his arrival Mir Neill was in private conference with General Manager Scott of the railroad, with no intilnatlon as tc when the negotiations might bring re- suits.
 Power Behind Strike.
 What remarkable feat this handful of 'union firemen accomplished. and what power was behind them became apparent today when considerable section of this state was compelled to rely on automo- piles for passenger, mall and express ser vice; and when the transportation of such necessities of life as food dropped back to the methods almost of former degree of oivilizaton-to wagons and even pack animals. The four score firemen alone did not produce this situation. It was the communities which the railroad served that stopped every wheel of the system during the past three days; not the of fcals of these communities but few men who are said to have fighting blood in their veins, who came forward and an- nounced that negro firemen should not be given seniority over white fremen. From some hidden source of public opinion these men have up to now made good this racial ultimatum. Few of these men were firemen, some did not even claim to be acquainted with striking fremen and dozen or more are said to have come from some distance from the railroad. They &C., complished the tie-up without serious ac- cidents, or acts of violence, with few cases of throwing stones which appear to have been accepted as warnings of what might happen if trains continued to run.
 Question to Be Settled.
 A settlement by arbitration should not be difficult so far as the strikers de- mands are concerned, Vice President Ball of the firemen's organization said today, because the f1remen are not trying to ex- act hard and fast settlement They struck because 10 white firemen were re- placed by negro hremen. The railroad of fcials declare that the negroes were put in these positions as rewards for faithful service. and that they are within their legal rights in such action Upon this crucial point of the controversy there has been no sign of an agreement as yet.
 The directors of the road, the general manager and other officials were in al most continual conference today and 1t was reported that some of the directors strongly favored Governor Smiths propo- sition for each side to select three Geor- gians as arbitrators. MT. Scott would not say whether this offer would be ac- cepted. The directors include men with local business interests which are liable to be affected unfavorably by a long tie-up.
 Carrying the Mails.
 Hand cars. automobiles and interurban cars today made little impression upon the 34,000 pounds of delayed mails in the Atlanta postoffice. Here and there in the strike district a rural postmaster shouldered a sack of outgoing mail and after hours of hard work, riding and walking, managed to reach railroad station not affected by the strike. Re- ports were current that the federal courts might interfere and place guards on trains in order to get the mails through. No such action, however, developed local ly. The strikers have announced that they are willing to lire engines to carry mails but that such engines must carry mails only and not passengers.
 Reports that the necessities of life were lacking in some communities caused Gov ernor Smith today to telegraph along the line of the Georgia railroad inquiring whether there was any food shortage. No replies indicating such condition were received, and numerous reports stated that there was plenty to eat everywhere. Business men, however, complained of the serious financial loss.
 Conference On Strike.
 For the first time since the beginning of the strike General Manager Scott con ferred with Governor Smith this evening. Afterward the governor said:
 We discussed the situation fully and am now very hopeful that some steps may be taken which will bring about speedy settlement. In the meantime re- gard 1t as of the utmost importance that perfect order should prevail.
 Present at this conference were State