Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-10-01
ondence Betoeen Georgia c. and B. R. T.


! freight train destined 10 Atlanta. and at
/ Covington "a station 1870 miles distant
/ from Augusta he learned direct from the
1 engineer Of his train the exact time that
! his Dthe engineer'sl 1s-hour period on
/ duty under the law would expire. The
/ train proceeded to Conyers "a station $40
miles distant from Augusta, where 1t re-
| NAMED for some time awaiting the
rival Of an opposing eastbound train. on
/ arrival OF this eastbound train at Con-
/ yers, the westbound train, in charge OF
/ Mr. Paschsl departed for the next sta
/ tion, Litbonia, 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
/ l6-hour period Of duty of the engineer.
Mir PasChal admits these facts and has
not given satisfactory expana ton OF his
I failure 10 observe the law and my spe-
cial instructions relating thereto He also
knows that under Rule 1872 The 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 a will
ing obedience to his proper orders
The Georgia Railroad has equipped it's
line with a telephone system and each
conductor, including Mr.. Paschal was pro-
vided with a telephone set, that they may
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-
! rFA Il.
severe penalties under the law
The Georgia Railroad is being asked to
renstate MI Paschal and allow him lost
time, and this request Is accompanied by
threat that unless 1t s complied with
there will be trouble for the Georgia
Railroad and myself. the statement being
made that the men VIII withhold their
support and cooperation, and that with
out those ! could not succeed. In short
you are UNFOLDING Paschal in his dsre-
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 fof 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
VIII 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 | said, in effect at
the conference, viz. that the conductors
employed on the Georgia Railroad are for
la " 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: "To enter or re-
main in the service is an assurance of
Willingness to obey the rules"
You also urge in justification OF Mr.
Paschal act tina others have committed
similar offenscs since the issuance Of the
bulletin quoted in this letter and they
had not been suspended or dismissed
breach Of the laws Of morals or of dis
4 cipline is not modified in degree by it's
detection or non detection. An offense of
hat sort Is still an offense II it never
becomes known to any one but the Of
fender.
The weakening Of discipline invariably
carries with II decentralization. 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.
tSgnedD w. S BRAND
Superintendent