The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-05-25
Not Wheel Is Turning on the
Georgia Central.
Public Is on the Side of Strik-
ing Firemen.
RAILWAY is WARNED
That Trains Manned by Strike.
breakers Cannot Pass.
Mails Are Congested at Augusta
and Atlanta.

Atlanta, Ga. May 25.-With delivery
of some necessities of life stopped in
several small Georgia towns. the
Georgia railway fremen's strike for the
seniority of white men over negroes,
entered it's ninth day this morning. Not
a wheel was moving on the entire
length Of the road and no definite hope
of Improvement was held out until the
arrival here of Commissioner of Labor
Charles p. Neill.
General Manager Scott of the rail-
firemen's organization, leader of the
strike, were both here awaiting Mr..
Neill. Governor Smith meanwhile has
not abandoned his efforts to bring
about arbitration.
The complete tieup of the railway has
one unusual aspect. 1t is not due to
any serious acts of violence, but the
uncompromising ultimatum from sew
eral communities through which the
road passes that trains will not be al
lowed to pass carrying negro or strike
breaking firemen. So stern has been
the announcement of such intentions
that the possible outcome of attempt
ing to force trains to run is a serious
problem.
The department of justice has given
Attorney General Wickersham a free
hand to deal with the situation, but of
course, it is expected he Will report
promptly what measures he has adopt
ed. Following the COQlSO IL
would be the duty of the district attor-
ney to apply Immediately to the federal
court in Atlanta for an order restrain
ing the strikers from interfering with
United States mail through the stop
page of traffic over the Georgia rail
way. should there be the slightest
sign of disposition on the part of the
strikers or of their SympathizerS in any
of the towns through which the
Georgia railway runs to resist this Or
der, the United States court Will i'm
mediately be requested to appoint q
sufficient number of deputy United
States marshals to accompany the
trains and see that the law is enforced.
In the end if the deputy marshals can
not carry out the courts orders, re.
course will be had to the services OF
the United States troops to open up the
lines. ter
second Assistant Postmaster General
Stewart. who left last night for Indian
apolis to attend postmasters' conven-
tion.4 is considering the advisability OF
going to Georgia to look into the sit
uation. The railway clerks convention
will be held in Atlanta beginning next
Tuesday and Mr. Stewart has been IN
yited to attend. 1t is believed here
that Mr.. Stewards presence in Georgia
would be helpful in clarifying the sit
uation.
Mails Are Congested.
Washington. May 25.-Each day that
the tieup on the Georgia railway con-
tinues, adds greater concern to Off
cials of the postoffice department. The
mails are becoming congested at Au-
gusta and Atlanta, and at other points
and business men along the line are
complaining daily to the department
that business loss is resulting, due to
the lack of mail facilities.
Autos Substitute for Trains.
Atlanta, May 25.-The substitution
of autos for railroad trains was the
chief development in the strike situa-
ton today. Between fully so towns in
central and northeast Georgia, scores
of gaudy automobiles whirred today
Many machines ran 70 miles or more
than a third of the distance from At
lanta to Augusta, the route of the
main line of the railroad. Some ma
chimes could be had for from $4 to So
per hour. One party of four chugged
into Atlanta to the tune of $45 for
the party for fast 40 mile ride.
The fight of the rural postmasters
to deliver their mail became inspiring.
1t is said the carriers are not author
lied to spend any money for automo-
biles, but they are using commendable
ingenuity to obtain rides in machines.
handcar loaded with mail sacks
started from here today.