Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1921-03-07


desired to know more facts than they
PRESS.
eve have received many letters
offering support of the men of 9TH
CT lines" said Chairman Martin, "but
in every case we have advised that
We want no interference from other
roads, and desire OILY their moral
support and endof3emcnc."
Chairman Martin, in explaining the
real basis of the walkout, said the
men quit because the order of Judge
Sibley in cutting their wages was vir-
tualIy the rendering of decision in
their case before hearing was held,
lie having provided for a hearing on
the order for March 26 in subse
quent order and then refused to with
draw the wage ruling urtil after this
hearing. He declared the strike was
the only means of protest left to the
men. He was assured If the support
Of the local Seaboard and Central
workers to a man.
Unions Law Abiding.
"fhe railroad unions are absolute
ly law abiding organizations" said
Capt. II. N. Stokes, veteran Seaboard
conductor, today in discussing the
meeting here yesterday. cone Of the
cardinal principles of our organiza-.
tions is the upholding Of cur govern
mental institutions. This being true,
we are in a serious quandary here,
for it appeared that the A, B. & A.
men were boldly defying the Federal
court, one of the institutions of the
government. There seemed to be
some facts which we had not been able
tc get, and we wanted to know the
true situation. That is why Chair
man Martin, who was raised on this
division of the Seaboard and is well
known here, was invited to come and
talk to us. With him came Chair
man Collins, of the conductors union
Of the Seabcard, also of Fitzgerald.
These men convinced US absolutely
that they were in the right and that
they wer not defYing the court, they
taking the position that the court
had exceeded its authority in its ac-
ton in putting into effect the wage
cut on the A., B. & A. before the
expiration of the 20 days given the
men under the law for appeal.
"The facts, as outlined by Chair
man Martin, are these: When Presi-
dent Bugg, of the A., B. & A., only
this year order his wage cut of so
per cent of the increase granted the
men in all departments since 1917,
the men appealed to the Railroad La
Wage board at Chicago, which ruled
with the men, ordering the reduction
notice of President Bugg withdrawn
and finding that the men were enti-
tied to continue at the old wage, sub
iect, Of course, to appeal by either
the railroad or men at any time, this
decision not being final. President
Bugg then returned to Atlanta, the
recaivership was ordered, with Bugg
named receiver, and he proceeded to
obtain a court order putting into eff
feet the wage reduction previously
ordered unsucceSsfully by him, The
reduction became effective within
dav or two, or on March l.
Must Have Notice.
"The men, citing the law deciar-
lnp tnat Jney IuuSJ nave ~ uHyo. IN"
tice for hearing on any such order,
appealed to the court and Saturday
modification of the original order
Granted by Judge Sibley naming
March &c as the date for any hear
ing they MIGHT see fit to present; But
their appeal for the setting aside OF
The wage reduction until after the
hearing was denied. They consider
ode the Judgment in advance against
cpportunity r,,l to present their case, and
the strike followed as a protest
against this action, which they hold
exceeded the power OF the court A.,
"The explanation clarified the
situation among the men here. We
all have been verv much up in the
air, about It, fearing the A., B: q
A. A. men "e had acted indiscreetly. Blu
after learning the facts were all. OF
the opinion thew did the only thing
r. e, 1hny4V tn IO ~