Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-10-08
TRAIIV|NEN DEMAND
ROAD REINSTATE
ATLANTA EMPLOYEES
Vice President of Trainmen
Says That Arbitrary Refusal
Of Railroad Alone Blocks
Settlement of Strike

AUGUSTA, Ca Oct 7.--@All that has
stood in the way of a settlement OF the
strike of the trainmen ana conductors
on the Georgia railroad since late last
night is the arbitrary position OF tha
company in refusing to take back the
men who worked in the Atlanta joint
company terminals"
This was a statement made to The
Journal at o'clock Monday afternoon
by James A. Murdoch. vice president OF
the Order of Railway Trainmen, after
United States Labor Commissioners G. p.
NELL had been in conference with him
and with officials of the railroad almost
constantly for twenty-four hours
Just what disposition has been mads
Of the other grievances OF the conduct
ors and trainmen. which caused the
strike. Mr.. Murdoch win not state, and
the officials Of the company here had
nothing to say to the reporters for twen1
ty-fOur hours.
Mr.. Murdoch says that the company
takes the position that the trainmen ana
conductors in the Atlanta joint terrnin1
ais were not really q part OF the Geors
gia railroad and should not have gone
out with the other members Of the orr
ganization last Tuesday.
TRIED TO WEAKEN UNI0N7
Mr.. Murdoch declares that for years
the company has been trying t.
weaken the union on the Georgia rail-
road by separating the men on the
road from those who are employed IN
the Atlanta terminals.
This, he says. has been done, despite
the fact that in all orders to engineers
the statement is made to the ~en-
gineers Of the Georgia railroad and
the Atlanta joint terminals" ana ID
signed by Superintendent W s.
Brand, OF the Georgia road. who il
not even member Of the board OF
directors OF the terminal.
Mr.. Murdoch stated emphatically
that there VIII be no settlement Of
the strike unless the company does re-
eede from it's arbitrary position in
this point
Had it not been for the arbitrary DO
sition on this one point" he said. vths
men would have been back at work
this morning. and the suffering people
along the line. who are cut OF from
supplies because OF the strike. would
have been ended. But for that racr
the several differences of the COM
pany and the men, which resulted in
the walk out last Tuesday, might now
be settled, and an absolutely new
question has arisen through the
strike"
STARVATION POLICY"
Apparently the starvation policy@
has been adopted by the road and n
effort had been made at o'clock todaT
to operate a train out OF Augusta Il
is said. therefore. by ohicials here thaf
the railroad will let its engines renaim
idle until the people along the line are
so badly in need of supplies that busil
ness men will be sworn IN as deputies
and prevent further attacks by strike
sympathizers on the strikebreakersl
whom the company has here to operate
its trains.
Superintendent Brand reissues to make
Superintendent Brand refuses to make
il he intended to seek a federal injunc-
tion, which would place every one whd
attempted to interfere in the operation
Of the trains in contempt Of the United
States courts.
F. W. Burgess. assistant grand chief
OF the Brotherhood Of Locomotive End
gineers, states that even If such an In
junction is secured by the railroad h3
cannot now say that he would let the
engineers take the risk Of operating
even mail trains.
HEAVY REVENUE LOSS.
Those in a position to know estimated
that the Georgia railroad is losing from
$4,000 to $4,000 day revenue because Of
the strike.
Mr. Murdock's statement has created
great surprise here among union mem
who declare that the railroad entered IN
mediation with this bubble held back.
and that they have never intended 10
allow a settlement of the strike
1t is a finish fight now. they say. They
are emphatic in their statement THAI
men in the Atlanta Terminal are work.
ing as a part of the Georgia system.
Dr. Nefll would neither affirm nor deny
Mr. Murdock's statement.