The Washington herald., 1907-08-15

Chicago. Aug. 1.-THE strike Of the
telegraphers spread to the stock yards
to-day. when the keymen employed in
the oHces Of Armour & Co. were called
out
It is possible that every telegrapher in
the stock yards viii be called on to leave
his work tomorrow
Warning was sent to the presidents OF
all boards Of trade, stock exchanges, and
commercial bodies throughout the coun-
try and Canada that within twenty-four
hours the strike viii be extended 10 every
branch Of commercial service.
This was for the purpose Of giving those
who desire to take such action the nee
essary time 70 enter into con-sacts with
the telegraphers. according TO the latest
scale adopted By the union.
The general executive board Of tho
commercial telegraphers also dispatched
a message TO President Roosevelt at Oys-
ter Bay informing him that the union IS
not interfering with the dispatch of gov
ernment business in any direction.
appeal TO TYPO Convention.
Another message from the executive
board was sent 10 the convention Of the
international typographical Union at Hot
Springs, giving formal notice Of the strike
and asking for support Of the type-setters.
Formal action. in that the general strike
Of al commercial telegraphers forecast
yesterday in the action OF the general
executive board was delayed. because Of
the nonarrival Of President Small. who
stopped Of al Kansas City until to-mor-
row. In the meantime General Secretary
Russell acting as deputy president. and
the general executive board are in con
troll
The trouble in the stock yards offices
was precipitated by reports Of pickets
that many Western Union and Postal
commercial messages were being sent
10 the yards for transmission. The te!eg-
raphers, on their return 10 the general
headquarters IN the 1Ionon Building. re-
ported that Armour d Co. had refused
TO class their operators with the leased
wire men and had refused to pay their
wage scale
Fifty emit at Armour's.
1t was added that Armour & Co. prom
ised TO grant only such wages and work
/ ing condiuogs as might be conceded by
the Western Union and Postal comps-
MES at the conclusion Of the strike. The
union men said fifty operators obeyed
the signal 10 quit work in the Armour
operating room.
The plants where further trouble is ex-
pected are those Of Swift & Co. and Mel
son. Morris & Co. The warning TO the
commercial organization issued by the
union was as follows:
Chicago, Aug. Ito the President OF
the Boards Of Trade, Exchange and Com
merciaI Bodies OF the United States and
Canada:
Within twenty-four hours the teleg-
raphers strike, which is now general.
VIII be extended 10 every branch Of the
commercial telegraph service. ard will
cover every telegraph not obligated by
union contract. This strike was not of
our seeking. but was forced upon Us by
repeated acts of bad faith by both 1ele-
graph companies after agreements had
been concluded.
Blame Put on Companies.
The consistently conservative attitude
Of the general officers of this union. from
the tina negotiations commenced several
months ago. has been abused and taken
advantage Of by the Infringement Of the
companies. It is to be regretted that a
better conception of the gravity of the
situation and temper Of men has not been
shown by these public service corpora
tiOns.
I've believe it only fair TO yourselves
as employers CT a large number of
members. and with whom they have
held uniformly friendly relations in the
past. that you should receive this no.
tice in order that your business may he
adjusted as far as possible 10 meet it.
THE COMMERCIAL TELEGRAPHEBs' UNION
OF AMERICA
WESLEY RUSSELL, Cen Sec. Treas"