The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1916-03-11
TO THE PUBLIC.

Il TO THE PUBLIC.
On February 10th. 1915, the General
Committee of the Brotherhood OF Rail-
road Trainmen for the Gulf & snip
Island Railroad, addresses a letter 10
Mr.. w. f. Leonard, superintendent OF
the railway at Hattiesburg, Missis-
sippi, requesting a conference for the
purpose of adjusting rates of pay ana
hours of service of flagmen, brake
men. yardmen and porters, to which
he replied as follows;
"Hattiesburg, Miss, Feb. IA, 1916.
"Mr. Il. S. wheels,
1923 Newman ST.,
"Hattiesburg, Miss.
Dear Sir.
Replying to your letter February
10th.
''Would advise that | would be pleas
ed to meet anyone employed by this
Company at any time, but cannot
hold conference with you as a repre-
sentative of any organization.
yours truly,
Nv. c. Leonard,
Superintendent"
On the following day a communica-
ton was addressed to Mr.. w. T.
Stewart. ice-President and General
Manager. appealing form the action
of Superintendent Leonard, and re-
auesting a conference. Mr.. Stewart
made no reply to this letter and on
February 18th the Committee wrote
him again. renewing its request for a
conference and forwarded the letter
by United States registered mail
The Committee remained in SEES
sion az Gulfport, Miss, until February
25th. 1916. in the hope that Mr.. Stew
art would extend to it the courtesy
of a reply, and take steps toward
bringing about a settlement OF the
controversy, and being convinced that
he did not intend to reply to either OF
the communications the matter was re-
ferred to the Grand Lodge of the
brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen.
On March list, 1916, MA. f. Whit
ney, Vice-President, arrived at Gulf
port, Mississippi, and Immediately en-
tered into conference with the Com
mittee and undertook to get in touch
with Vice-President Stewart OF the
railway, but was advised, over the
telephone by his office. that he had
left for New Orleans and would not
return until the following day: on
March 2nd.
The following letter was delivered
to vice-President Stewart at 1900
noon by a Western Union messenger:
Southport, Miss, Mar. 2, 1915.
Mr. w. T. Stewart, V. P.
Gulf q Snip Island Il. X,
"Gulfport Miss
Dear Sir:
"On Feb. 18th, 1916, Mr.. T. S.
Wheels, Chairman, General Griev-
ance Committee B. of r. T. for your
system wrote you requesting a con-
ference for himself and other mem.
hers of his Committee for the purpose
of discussing rates of pay and work
ing conditions for train baggamen,
ilagmen, brakemen and yardmen, TO
which you made no reply.
On Feb. 1Sth Mr. Wheels wrote
you again renewing the request for a
conference for the purpose indicated
in his letter of Feb 14th, and for
warded same by L. S. registered mail
demanding receipt, which receip;
was returned to him, and is now in
his possession.
Not receiving a reply from you to
either of the above mentioned com
munications, the Committee called up
on the President of the Grand Lodge
of the B. of r. T. for assistance, ano
the writer was instructed to come tG
Gulfport and use eNry honorable Ell
fort to secure a conference with you
for the Committee and himself in the
hope that existing differences might
be speedily and amicably adjusted.
Pursuant to these instructions,
respectfully request conference Will
you for the committee and myself
at tle earliest possible moment.
81 very truly yours,
81 "a. r. Whitney,
"Vice-Pres Il. of r. t..
kindly reply c. 0. Great Southern
Hotel, City.
>-ot HEARING from Mr. Stewart Mr.