Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-09-02
PUBLIC is With
LOYAL EMPLOYEES
Will Thank Men Who Refuse to
Strike, Says Chambers
President.
ALL ROADS UNDER EMBARGO
Fairfax Harrison and w. H.
White Make Final Appeal
to Operating Forces.

With arrangements complete for the
continuance Of service III curtailed
form should all negotiations fail and
the national strike order become cffec-
tive. local railroad Offices rested on
their oars yesterday. Freight sheds
registered new high mark OF con-
gest!on, shippers displaying marked
anxiety to get consiSnments under way
before the falling of freight embarsoes
In contrast TO the strained atmos-
phere that obtained in the Offices of
directing officials earlier in the week.
there was evident yesterday growing
optimism. Steps had been taken TO
meet the worst, and there was cor
responding reiief at the reasonable
prospect that crisis would be averted.
Notwithstanding the fact that the
Atlantic Coast Line Railroad yesterday
declared An embargo ,nective at MID.
night last night, against all freight for
all destinations, there was a growing
| belief late in the afternoon among
local officials that effo,,s would prob
ably be made shortly to modify the
embargoes already in fopc.. Reports
reaching Richmond last night were to
the effect tL.t such action had been
taken by number of the Western
roads
PRESIDENT M0RTHAM BELIEVES
PUBLlC IL AGAINST STRIKE
Most comforting o. all of Yesterdays
developments from the railroad point
of view was a letter from President
Coleman Wortham. Of the Chamber of
Commerce, addressed to President Will
! liam II. White. of the Richmond. Fred
! eriCksburg and Potomac, in which he
expressed his personal belief that the
citizens of Richmond would view with
approval the action OF employees who
should remain loyal to the company in
the event OF strike.
Mr.. Wortham's opinion was invited
by President White. who suggested that
in view of the far-reaching character
of the impending crisis and it's i'm
mediate relation 10 the public, a state
ment from him at this tim. would be
of distinct service in influencing proper
public sentiment.
In his letter to Mr.. Wortham. Presi-
dent White said. in part:
The public whom this company
serves. the industrial life of the COM
munity in which you reside. Tia bust
ness interests Will, which YOU are
identified, are, wholly or in part. di-
rectly or indirectly, threatened with
.
cency. very considerable number of
employees engaged in the occupations
covered in part by the brotherhoola
have expressed themselves as being de-
sirous of remaining at work in their
several voGa ions If an employees
were given clearly to understand that
such action upon their pc ~ would meet
with tho appreciation and support OF
the public. and the community In
which they reside, a very much LARGER
number would unquestionably remain
at work.
APPEALS FOR COUNSEL
IL NATIONAL CRISIS
Your moral influence at this time
viii he OF incalculable benefit and as
sistance. and. as believer in fair
play and a square deal, YOU may rem
der distinct and vital service to these
sorcly heset men by counsel.n- with
them as friends and neichbors to re-
main on duty and exert their influence
toward having the matters in contro-
vcrsy arbitratcd.
This company stands suuarelv upon
such platform. 1t cannot hope for
tho support of the public If It has not
i'm rirc md fai