The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-06-26

ment of the striking firemen's side Of
the controversy with the Georgia
Railroad. before the arbitration COM
mittee this afternoon, Attorney Reu-
ben Arnold declared:
I'VE are gong to insist upon the
arb;trators taking into consideration
the state of public opinion in this
strike. do not mean by that that the
arbitrators are to be influenced in
their decision by this state of public
opinion. But I do say that this COM
mission will have to take into consid-
Grafton the state Of the public mind
In so far as II affects the safety of pas
sengers or the safety of other en-
ployees of this railroad.
I'VE propose to prove that the peo
l'lc of this State are so bitterly inflam-
ell against the negro firemen that
were you. gentlemen, to restore them
to their post:oh, or were the railroad,
under your decision. TO put them OH
the engines again, that there would be
violence and bloodshed. and that tine
Ives of neither employee or passen-
scr would be safe. We will bring here
The mayors of cities and others who
hAvo Investigated and who know.
They will tell you that the people of
the State will not stand for the ne
groes In the cab and that IL you try to
force them there there will be trouble
Are any negroes running now?"
inquired Arbitrator Hardwick.
Yes" said Arnold. "but only pend
Ing decision by this commission, and
to get even this concession Vice Pres
ident Kelly had to 20 down the line
and explain to the people that the re-
storation Of the negro was only tenn
porary." M
The arbstretors were svid emily. Inn
pressed by this statement of Arnold.
The attorney made It at the end Of his
summing up Of the contentious of the
firemen. These contentious number
six:
I. The absolute discharge of all
negro firemen.
2. Firemen must have three years
experience before being promoted to
engineer.
9. All firemen when hired must be
put In yards and on hostlers' jobs.9
4. All hostlers must continue. to
receive present rate of pay.
5. Passenger. through freight and
other desirable runs must not be
blocked by non-promotable men (ne-
groes.)
8. No firemen shall be required to
flag crossings or throw switches at
crossings. thus leaving engine with
only one man at most dangerous
points.
Arnold's argument was that the
races will not mix; that the negro.
made a fireman and never being made
an engineer, gets the best run because
he becomes the senior Of white firemen.
who cannot pass Kim bcause he is
non-promotable, that to be good en-
gineer. fireman must know the runs.
and he cannot know them unless he
gets chance to fire on them.
The commission adjourned, after
Arnold concluded, until 10 a. M, to-
morrow, when the firemen will begin
their testimony. About one hundred
subpoenas were issued then for SER
vice In this and other towns on the
Georgia Railroad. The commission
will meet after tomorrow at o a. M,
and sit until $50 p. m, each day.
Ex-Secretary Herbert and Repre-
sentative Hardwick. the two arbitra-
tors selected by the Georgia Railroad
and the striking fremer, reached here
last night. and when Chancellor David
G. Barrow arrived this morning, they
proceeded to the United States Court
room. When told that the law for
bade their occupancy of Federal prop
erty without permission. they wired
for the permit and adjourned TO the
Piedmont. where they organized and
began their labors.
Chancellor Barrow was formally
made umpire. but at his request Mr..
Herbert presided.
Al the suggestion. OF Mr.. Herbert. il
was agreed that counsel on both sides
should make an opening statement OF
what they expected TO prove. the fire.
men being considered the plaintiffs.
I'VE have decided" said Mr.. Her
tert. that we will not enforce all the
technical rules of evidence. but we do
rot want any irrelevant or hearsav