The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1921-10-11
Negro Conductors on Pullmans.
From the Columbus Enquirer-Sun.

According to the Birmingham News rumors
have persisted for sometime that the Pullman
Company proposed to replace white conduc-
tors on its cars with negroes. these runoIs
have been investigated by the Order OF Kail,
way Conductors and others interested, and
they are we'll convinced that such a move is
under consideration by the Pullman Com
pany. The Birmingham News says it has
been asked to express the viewpoint OF this
community upon the proposition" and 1t does
so in the following:
The News believes that it would be
move on the part of the Pullman Company
which would be productive OF more 1ric-
ton, trouble, Inconvenience and general
boycott of pullman cars except IN cases OF
imperative necessity, than any other move
which could be made to invite resentment
and hostility The public has keenly in mind
the increase in pullman rates, and would
also have in mind the fact that the move,
if made, would be to eliminate the salaries
paid pullman conductors, replacing these
gentlemen with colored porters. While 1t IS
true the increased rates go to the railroad
companies, and the Pullman Company gets
its revenue from mileage haul on cars, II
there is need for more revenue tor the pull
mans surely the railroads can afford to pay
more for the haul, inasmuch as the public
is paying greatly increased rates tor>the ac-
cOmmodatlOnS
L
lentlv resented in this southern territory,
to have negro conductors on pullman cars:
1t is true that on some branch lines and
where one car is run sometimes an old and
popular porter acts both as porter and tick
ct taker and there is no objection on the
part of ANYBODY Nor is there any obJec-
ton to worthy and honest negroes making
a living and seeking legitimate advance
nent; we are merely dealing with facts as
they exist, and the fact is that such move
would be so revolutionary departure from
accustomed standards that it would be the
fruitful cause of irritation, actual trouble,
dissatisfaction and the opening OF whole
Pandoras box of matters which would be
in every way unfortunate and undesirable.
The viewpoint expressed by the Birming
ham News for that community Will apply to
every southern community, and not unlikely
to many communities in other sections of the
country far removed from the south. The
News is correct in saying that there is mo
objection to honest and worthy negroes max
ing living and seeking a legitimate ad-
vancement;" but facts are facts, and it would
evade them in a matter such this.
In this section of the country almost all the
patronage of pullman cars comes from the
whites, and they would not tolerate such a
change as is suggested. Their failure to do SO
would not be due to any animosity toward
the negro who might be appointed as con-
ductor, but because it would be so unmistak-
able departure from the standards to which
they have been accustomed. There is not
the slightest objection on the part of the
white people to negro pOrters on pullmans,
but CONDUCTOR is different The conductor
is in charge of the car; he is captain of it;
and that makes a whole lot of difference
If the Pullman Company would avoid a
great deal of dissatisfaction and irritation, if
not actual trouble, it will not give this matter
any further consideration.