Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-10-02

freight train destined to Atlanta, and at
Covington "a station 100 miles distant
from Augusta he learned direct from the
engineer of his train the exact time that
his (the engineer's) 16-hour period on
duty under the law would expire. The
train proceeded to Conyers "a station 40
miles distant from Augusta), where it re-
NAMED for some time awaiting the ar
rival of an opposing eastbound train. On
arrival of this easthound train at Con-
yers, the westbound train, in charge Of
! Mr.. Paschal, departed for the next sta
ton, Lithonia, without sufficient time to
make the run to that station at the speed
limit prescribed by the Rules and clear
the main line before the expiration OF the
16-hour period of duty of the engineer.
Mr. Paschal admits these facts and has
not given satisfactory explanation Of his
failure to observe the law and my spe-
cial instructions relating thereto He also
knows that under Rule 1872 he is held re-
sponsible for the safe and proper conduct
Of the train, and that all men employed
on the train are required to yield will
ing obedience to his proper orders"
The Georgia Railroad has equipped its
line with telephone system, and each
conductor, including Mr.. Paschal was pro-
be able to promptly and conveniently get
in communication with the Dispatchers,
thus the bulletin instruction to report to
Dispatcher" could have been easily car
ried out, and his failure to do so is with
out excuse or reason He seems to have
preferred to deliberately and premeditat-
eddy take matters in his own hands, de-
Tying our instructions and the law, thus
putting the Georgia Railroad in the atti-
tude Of law breaker and subjecting 1t to
severe penalties under the law
The Georgia Railroad is being asked to
reinstate Mr. Pascha and allow him lost
time, and this request Is accompanied by
a threat that unless II is complied with
there will be trouble for the Georgia
Railroad and myself the statement being
made that the men will withhold their
support and cooperation, and that with
out those l could not succeed. In short,
you are UNFOLDING Paschal In his dlsre-
gard Of my instructions and the law, both
of which were designed for his safety and
the safety Of his fellow employees, the
passengers who entrust themselves to our
care and for the protection Of valuable
property, and In further effort to accom-
plish your ends you make a threat that
our conductors viii give us trouble" and
Will withhold support and cooperation,
thus not only Gripping the Georgia Rail-
road but our patrons as well, in that they
would not receive the service so essential
to their comfort and success. ! repeat
with emphasis what I said, in effect, at
the conference, viz: that the conductors
employed on the Georgia Railroad are for
law and authority, and that can not and
do not believe that they would be parties
to such indefensible and unworthy prac-
tees, and that they would not disre
gard one of the important notices con-
tained in the Rules, viz: ITO enter or re-
main in the service Is an assurance OF
Willingness to obey the rules"
You also urge in justification of Mr..
Paschals act that others have committed
similar offenses since the issuance of the
bulletin quoted in this letter and they
had not been suspended or dismissed. A
breach OF the laws of morals or OF dis
cipline Is not modified In degree by its
detection or on-detection. An offense of
that sort is still an offense II IT never
becomes known to any one but the Of
fender.
The weakening OF discipline invariably
carries with 1t Generalization reckless
ness and other kindred horrors As the
responsible head of the TRANSPORTATION
Department, | shall continue to admins
ter such discipline as In my Judgment
works no Injustice to the offender and
affords the protection to our EMPLOYEES
and patrons that they expect me to pro
vide. Yours truly,
lSigned) w. S. BRAND,
Superintendent