The Omaha guide., 1944-01-29

ienged the stewart. Whereup0n the
stewart left the diner and returned
with a young marine, second lieut.
enant and a number of white MPs.
After lining all Of the coIored
crew against the wall, the youthful
marine lieutenant tried out his
"cuss" words, not forgetting to
use che word niger" as he said
according to crew members.
You damn niggers' ought to BE-
all shot right here. but we viii
give you a chance. At the next
stop I want you all TO get of this
train and when you &c Off / want
You to start running and run like
hell, or you may be shot il the
back"
No effort RAJ reported TO have
been made by the young marine
officer to investigate both sides ~
the story At the next stop. the
crew left Charges OF insubordin-
alton were believed by w. MI. JET
fers, president Of the Union Pac-
ific railroad, according to a bull
etin issued the following day, ian.
3, to all dining a employees from
Omaha.
On military train yesterday
crew OF colored cooks and walters
not performing work satisfactorily
and n Of the walters attacked
stewart with knife. after which
stewart appealed to train comman-
der who found food unsatisfactory
and serycie poor, and when stew
art told him crew would not obey
or do anything ordered OF them d
after military officers had made
inspection OF diner, the officers or
dered all walters and cooks mo
ed o traE-which was done at
LynndyI. and military took charge
7f the frzin-
In Connection with this case,
quote President LETTERS telegram
J-25 date:
Referring to ermoval on order
z s. aMrine Corps officers in
charge Main Train 1924. LynndyI.
Saturday evening. account gross in
subordination and threatened VIC
lence to Stewart, OF the entire crew
Of colore dwaiters and kitchen men
diner $685."
LETTERS allegedly ordered supt.
Hanson, DC&H department, 10 get
out by wire a bulletin to all DC&H
department officials. stewards and
supervisors about the case. dcsrib-4
ing it, and distinctly saying that
the diner was taken over and
these men removed on orders OF
the military officers in charge Ct
the train"
7 want it distinctly stated and
brought to the attention OF every
one Of these colored employees in
Union Pacific dining car services
that this sort OF conduct win nor
be tolerated and that II there is
any repetition. they win Be sum
marily discharged and ordered off
the property at the nearest term
inal and they win not Be given ac-
commodations or Transportation
LETTERS telegram quoted in the bull
letn, said Make it clear to them
that this country Is at war and
the Emay anticipate that II there
is more difficulty on these troop
trains military authorities win
take charge and remove them from
the service: further that II there
il any similar repetition on regular
Passenger trains 1 viii instruct
that If it becomes necessary. arm
ed guards be placed on each one
Of u diners to maintain order.r
MANY people involved by this
order adm bulletin have been faith
full employees or the Union Pacific
for a quarter Of a century" de-
clared Franklin. They have come
west as pioneers Just as members
o other races. They have made Ill
kinds Of sacrifices to do 81"
Notwithstanding the loyalty OF
many OF these colored employees.
men who have answered the call
to return to work afr being drop
Ped By the company during the de-
preston. LETTERS said. u am rot
going to temporize wieh II such
foolishness On the part OF these
crews. an dthey are either going 70
maintain q proper attitude at Iii
times OF get out Of Union Pacific
service"
Gilbert W. ALLEY. vice command
er OF the local colored chapter "
the American Legion and vice pres
ident Of the local walters and cocks
union has been appointed a. one
Of six members OF the railroad in
yestigatinR committee FranrI,n