Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-07-31

1t may be that the Ottumwa Trades |
& Labor assembly will, in short
time, hold in it's hand the key to the
situation with regard to the settlement
of the strike of the employees of the
Iowa Telephone Co. in Des Moines and
Davenport. This fact has developed
since meeting held last evening at
which there were present the men,
bers of the executive board of the OF
tumwa Trades & Labor assembly, John
P. Reese of Abba, member of the
executive board of the State Fedora
ton of labor and G. E. Hall of Daven-
port, superintendent for southern Iowa
of the Iowa Telephone Co. The whole
matter now hinges upon the recogni-
ton or the non-recognition Of the tele-
phone operators and the electrical
workers unions by the Bell company.
AS yet the company has refused to rec
ognize the unions, and Mr.. Hall stated
this morning to Courier reporter that
this is the policy of the concern at all
times and places; that people are en-
ployed without regard to whether they
belong to unions or not, and are never
asked about it.
The conference held in this city last
evening was informal and decidedly
agreeable. No ultimatum was uttered
by either side, and little of positive
nature was accomplished. However, it
it stated by both sides that better
understanding exists now than before
the meeting. Mr.. Hall expressed him
self as well pleased with the treat
ment accorded him by the labor union
lists of Ottumwa and the members of
the committee which met him say that
he is straightforward and inclined to
be just in his dealings.
ottumwa Holds Key.
1t is said that it was made clear to
Mr.. Hall last evening that, if the OF
tumwa Trades and Labor assembly
takes up the fight against the Bell in
this city every Iowa phone. or nearly
every one in this city will be removed
from the houses and stores of the
company's patrons within a short time.
| The effect of such move in Ottum-
wa will probably be felt by the COM
pany in other cities in the state and
may be the beginning of such action in
all of these cities where the Bell has
local patronage. This being the case
| it is said the company will think hard
before allowing the Ottumwa trades
unionists to institute this movement,
which can be prevented by the recog-
milton of the unions by the Iowa Tele.
/ phone Co.
4 is stated that unless the unions
q recognized by the company in Des
| Moines, the local Trades Assembly
will visit every patron of the company
in Ottumwa and request the removal
of the phones. This, as has practically
been admitted by representatives of
the Bell company would result in the
loss of much patronage by the COM
! pany here and the effect might and
probably would spread to other cities.
However, before this is done, if it is,
it is not improbable that a conference
will be held between the managers of
the company and the representatives
of the Ottumwa assembly
4 Hence the statement with which
this article begins, to the effect that
the Ottumwa Trades and Labor as.
sembly holds the key to the situation
as affecting Des Moines and the entire
state.
Local Manager Johnson of the Iowa
Telephone Co., stated this morning
that no telephones have been ordered
removed in Ottumwa. on account of the
strike, and that the matter has no
been noticed by the employees of the
company in any manner which affect.
the concern here. The linemen in Thu
city, who are organized, are workins
regularly and have not given notice
that they will cease to do So but it il
stated by trades unionists in Ottumw;
that they will resign If instructed tt
do SO by the head of their union.
In Des Moines.
An injunction was issued in Des
: Moines yesterday by Judge McVey
. restraining the committee appointed
by the strikers from removing low;
telephones from places where the pa
: irons have contracts with the com
: pany. This, however, it is thought
will have but little affect upon tn
general situation, as the patrons cal
order their phones removed if the,
: like.