The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-03-12
MED|ATORS HALT EFFORTS ID END
 A.,B. & A. STRIKE
Bugg Refuses to Enter Into Proceedings and Matter
 Will Be Placed Be-
 fore Harding
Rx Associated Press

Atlanta, March 1l.-EffortS by two federal mediators to settle the wage strike on the Atlanta, Birmingham and Atlantic railway came to sud- den end here late today when after refusal of B. L. Bugg, receiver, to en- ter into the proceedings, the two com missioners announced they would re- turn to Washington.
 11The mediators, W. L. Cham bers and Whitehead Kluttz, it was indicated, will place the matter before President Harding in an attempt to restore serv- ice on the road which has been prac- tically paralyzed since the strike be- gan a week ago. Their statement was made contemporaneously with a pre- diction by Colonel Bugg to the effect that practically normal service might be resumed during the next week with new crews.
 In finally declining to enter into settlement negotiations through the commissioners, Colonel Bugg said, No matter what concern might be reached
  more money than the road earns, for the obvious reason that I would have no means with which to pay. This proposition is no more susceptible to compromise than the multiplication table"
 The roads pay roll in 1920 was s4,- 203,99S, an increase of $2,356,66S over 1917, Colonel Bugg announced in a statement tonight. The raise in rates gave an operating increase in 1920 of $1,643,454, he added which. he declared failed by $713,214 to meet the i'm creased wages allowed by the United States railway labor board
 LEAST REDUCTION
 Colonel Bugg declared the wage re- duction of approximately 50 per cent of increases granted since 1917 was "the least reduction" which the roads financial condition would permit
 Judge Chambers stated we have lost our opportunity to resume operation Of the road" he added. Well, this is statement which only developments will answer. We are recruiting men so rapidly and I predict a practically normal schedule over the system will be resumed during next week.
 Grand lodge representatives of the hrotherhoods and crafts involved in tHe Strike ueclned 10 make any state ment tonight regarding the latest turn in the case. The final letter of the commissioners to Colonel Bugg. made public today, said:
 Your letter of this date we can only construe as a definite refusal by you to accept federal mediation. We regret this action on your part all the more since representatives of the em- ployes have internationally accepted our services as mediators under the law and therefore but for your de- cision serious detriment to the public might have been avoided through al amicable adjustment of the con troversy.' Announcement was made today ethat a passenger train will leave here to- morrow morning for Cordele, Ca. and that one will leave Cordele Sunday morning for Atlanta. Passenger, mai and express service tomorrow between Birmingham and Lineville, Ala, also was announced. The road also mad, public copies of resolutions adopted in various towns along the Atlanta. Bir- mingham and Atlantic railroad pro- testing against the strike and prom ising support for the road
 FORGED TO RETURN
 Atlanta March ll.-The Atlanta. Bir-