Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-10-01
GEORGIA RAILROAD
Augusta. Ca. Sentemhe

A., Augusta, Ga, September rs, 1912.
MR.. JAMES MURDOCH,
Vice President B. R. T.
Albion Hotel Augusta, Georgia
Dear Sir:
Mr.. Scott General Manager. has re-
1erred to me, for handling, the matter OF
your request for reinstatement Of Mr. A
M Morgan and payment Of his lost time
On the Gath instant l went Somewhat
INTO the details Of this case at con-
ference with you and a Committee of
Trainmen representing Mr.. Morgan. That
there may be no misunderstanding. I give
below the facts as shown by the records
IN NY MY. Office which were furnished me
MT Morgan was employed as flag
man and ran occasional trips as a con-
aqc1 Tor In March, 1912. he attended court
ness for the Georgia Railroad. Under
our agreement with Trainmen he should
De paid his lost time and reimbursed the
amount of his actual expenses. Mr.. Nor
gan put In ticket for his lost time
ana expenses. The expense account was
f 6onn 10 be incorrectly, made, In that the
me trainmaster returned the statement
to Mr.. Morgan, pointing out one error
Inns overcharge was corrected by him
IN Morgan and the statement returned
me trainmaster returned all the papers to
MN second time, calling his attention
10 a second oyerchsrge. This was also
third. fourth and fifth times it was nee
essary for the trainmaster to return the
papers 10 Mr.. Morgan to secure the cor
recton of a third error, an overcharge
was disappointed and grieved to learn
mat so many errors had been made by
Mr.. Morgan in SO small and simple an
account, amounting to- originally, only S.
and reduced by him to $525.
As stated to you and the committee
while the amount involved is small, the
act itself is significant of characters
tics that are not compatible with the very
responsible duties of railroad train
man. In other words, it indicates that
Mr.. Morgan is either ineXcusably care
less, possessed of a memory which Is de-
plorably faulty. or that he was dishon-
est. Certainly we can not retain in our
train service those who are careless, or
whose memories are trea cherous or who
are dishonest. Either cause is sufficient
to and should eliminate him from our
service.
This case has been subject of corre-
spondence between the committee Mr.
, Scott and myself for a month or more
past, and in all the correspondence the
committee has referred to his offense as
mistake" yet in our conferences on
the 24th instant, 1t was for the first time
stated that Mr., Morgans dismissal was
due to his being a Committeeman The
fallacy of this allegation can be easily
demonstrated by interrOgating the past
and present members of committees, with
whom have had conferences for the past
nineteen years. and who are still in the
service of the Georgia Railroad. and con
tinue to enjoy the full confidence of
their employer and fellow citizens Ask
them IL they have been Disseminated
against or received unfair treatment from
me.
The facts upon which Mr.. Morgan was
dismissed are admitted by him and these
admissions are of record of his own MAX
ing on file in my office therefore, as
stated In another case the justice of his
dismissal should be tested by those facts
alone and not obscured by any allega-
tons eXtraneeus to those facts; especially
when such allegations are. a 81 now dis
tinctly declare them to be, wholly without
foundation.
1t is needless to say that it is dis
agreeable for me to put into writing these
facts, but, as you propose ITO place
the entire situation before the mem on
our line I feel that. in justice to them,
to the Georgia Railroad and to myself.
they should be fully informed of the
cause of Mr.. Morgans dismissal, Yours
truly,
CSigned) w S. BRAND
SUPERINTENDENT