Fitzgerald leader enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ben Hill County, Ga.) 1921-1964, 1921-09-12
COMMISSION TO
INVESTIGATEWRECK
Governor Hardwick Appoints Special
Commission To Investigate

ATLANTA, Sept. 11,-Investiga-
ton, of the cause of the wreck on the
Atlanta, Birmingham and Atlantic
railroad last Wednesday will be made
MONDAY morning by a special COM
mission appointed Saturday by Gov
ernor Thomas w. Hardwick. Mem
bers OF the commission named by the
Governor are c. M. Gambler, chair
man of the state railroad commission.
William T. Turner, master mechanic
of the Georgia railroad, and Woods
Hudson. general superintendent of the
Georgia Car and Locomotive Works.
The commission was appointed to
probe the possible causes of the wreck
to determine whether dynamite was
hsed in the destruction of the loco
motive and wrecking of the train in
which Engineer ]. T. Morris of Fitz-
gerald, lost his life and several MEM
bers of the train crew were seriously
injured. The governor named the
commission after comforting with Col.
B. L. Bugg, receiver of the railroad;
Reuben R. Arnold, attorney repre-
senting the line Carl Hutchinson and a
from the International Ma
thinists Union representing organized
labor.
The commission will meet at 11:00
O'Clock Monday morning in the office
of Chairman Gambler The members
will then go to the scene of the wreck
and will investigate the physical facts
In connection with the wrecking of the
train. The commission has no legal
standing, according to Governor Hard
wick and will conduct its investiga-
ton TO inform the public of the caus-
es OF the disaster
Protest To Governor
Representatives of the machinists
nnion and other labor organizations
protested to the governor Saturday
against charges that the train was dy-
namited by persons connected with
hnion labor organizations. They asked
for the appointment of a commission
to investigate and make report. The
governor discussed the matter with
Col. Bugg and Attorney Arnold and
they agreed to cooperate in the ap-
bontment of commission. Governor
Hardwick explained there is no au-
thority of law for appointing such a
commission except the law which re-
quires the state railroad commission
to investigate any complaint of de-
fective rolling stock or track.
Strike Official Gives Statement
"This press of this date contain a
statement concerning wreck on the
A. B. & A. Railway at Cascade Cross
ing about eight miles from Atlanta,
in which Engineer Morris was killed
and three colored men injured. Elev-
en- cars and engine derailed and dam
aged.
Receiver Bugg stated that while
he hasn't received official report of
wreck, he had been informed that it
was caused by dynamite, and he would
request Governor Hardwick to extend
military protection to the A. B. & A.
employees and the roads property.
We have no information as to cause
of wreck, but we do know that every
time wreck has occurred on the A.
B. & A.. Railway since March 5th,
an attempt has been made to create
impression in the minds of the public
that the trouble was caused, by the
strikers or their friends. 1t is I'M
necessary to say we disapprove of
anyone, at any time under any cir
'cumstances, contributing in the least
to the cause of wrecking train. Such
conduct is reprehensible and inexcus.
able. We deny any responsibility for
the protection of anyone engaged in
the commission of a crime of this