New-York tribune., 1909-05-27
GEORGIA PEACE REMOTE
STRIKE COMPLETENESS
WITHOUT RESULT.
Federal Interference Predicted -
Traction Engine and Mule Teams
Pressed Into SerTice-No Famine.
rBy Telegraph to The Tribune. ]

Atlanta. May 2s.-After a day of conferences.
during which the strike Of the white f1remen
:, the Georgia railroad for the displacement OF
che negroes from places formerly occupied by
,bite men was fully discussed. strikers and
mad officials are as far apart tonight as they
we're on the first day of the strike. and there
seems 10 be little hope of an early settlement,
unless forced by state or federal interference
There we're times to-day when the Governor,
commissioner Neil and their associates in the
cause OF arbitration were in high hopes Of an
early settlement At one time it seemed that
General Manager Scott Of the Georgia would
Yield enough TO make arbitration possible. but
rtghf found him adamant, with the strikers
ecusIlv determined in their demands. The
strikers declare they Will never return to work
unless the ten men displaced by negroes are re-
employed and the road agrees to allow all white
men who reach good runs to remain there.
General Manager Scott insists that he will per
,nit Of no compromise which does not include
nerro seniority. He says that the JOB of fire
man on a good run IS the limit Of advancement
sor negroes, and that they should be given that
much consideration
National and state authorities are decioedIy
,,.,oas over the situation. They recognize that
unless the strike is promptly settled II VIII
undoubtedly spread TO other systems. and
,hould trains be run by the road in defiance or
rsblic sentiment the negro question might
sgsin Be opened up in a most unpleasant way.
FEDERAL INTERFERENCE PREDICTED.
ris said in Atlanta that should Commissioner
Neilrs good offices fail to bring about a settle
rnent the federal authorities would undoubtedly
take hand in running mail trains by placing
armed guards on the engines to protect the
railroad employees It is pointed out that this
STEP could be justified by the fact that the de-
livery OF the mall and interstate commerce was
being seriously interfered with.
Il Is also stated that Governor Smith is seri-
ously considering interfering in behalf OF the
state, there being a Georgia law which would
give him the authority TO take charge OF the
trains and have them operated. since the rail-
road cannot keep its contract.
Meanwhile the automobiles doing a -four
ishing business, and even handcars are being
employed to deliver tho mails to nearby points.
the superintendent Of the railway mail service
In Atlanta having been authorized to give this
service 70 towns desiring It. Automobiles are
conveying mails from Augusta to Thomson and
other points.
Various towns in the strike district took in
ventory to-day OF their visible supply OF food
Madison reported at least fifteen days OF plenty
IN prospect Washington reported shortage
IN Yeast and prices rising. At Lithonia Mayor
Brand said:
IF supplies should short, and IT becomes
necessary, I shall simply condemn the trainload
os rerishable goods now the siding at
Isthonia and tell the citizens to help them
selves
There are eleven cars OF provisions at Lithonia.
and ice has been supplied to maintain the per-
s..e,,e ,,o-+fon OF their contents in good condi-
ticn-
TRACTION ENGINE IN SERVICE.
In addition 20 the visible supplies the towns
have their visible means Of transportation. head
ed by q traction engine travelling nearly mile
and a half an hour. automobiles with daring
drivers and roads made dangerous by heavy
rains. mule teams, with negro drivers and crack
jnz whips. altogether a combination. which has
furnished q bright side 10 the strike and many
a holiday prank for rural communities. This
good nature Of the country along the silent rail-
road was reassuring feature during the nego-
tiations in Atlanta to-day for one of the gravest
aspects Of the strike has been the uncompromis-
ing sympathy which has backed It all along the
line. An offer OF aid in moving the mails was
sent 10 Washington to-day by Vice-President
Ball. who is conducting the strike, and who
telegraphed the Postmaster General that he
would be glad to confer with any representative
Of the Postoffice Department designated by him
and TO aid in getting the mails through. The
handcar which is carrying mail out Of Atlanta
went nearly forty miles 10 Union Point
Six strike breakers who left the employment OF
the Georgia Railroad on Saturday complained TO
the Atlanta Police Commission to-day that they
had been brought here by misrepresentation
and had been practically prisoners for several
days in hotel, finally getting into communica-
ton with strikers by notes dropped from the
windows. A detective agency which has had
charge Of the squad of strike breakers denied
the charges.
That Mr.. Scott urged Governor Smith to-day
10 issue a law and order proclamation in the
communities bordering the railroad was re
ported tonight Governor Smith maintained
his previously announced attitude, that until
there have appeared some definite danger that
property will be destroyed or lives jeopardized
no such proclamation should be issued