The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-08-16
WHOLE COUNTRY
TIED BY STRIKE
OF ~TELECRAPHERS
Click Men From Coast to Coast
Desert Their Keys; BusI-
ness Suffer.
SITUATION GROWS DARK
American Federation Of Labor Prob
ably Behind the Movement
Trouble Extends to
Printers

New York, Aug. 14.-From the View
point of the employees OF the teieg-
raphers the strike situation last night
was declared to be improved oonsid-
crably and steadily improving. Tho Of
fcials of both the Western Union and
h Postal announced themselves TO be
more than satisfied with the progress
that has been made during the day
and In the early hours of the night
toward the restoration of wire COM
munication throughout the country.
1T is now not so much a question
OF restoring communication" declared
one official, "as it is OF re-establishing
normal conditions
The officials were frank to admit
that some surprise was occasioned by
the action of their operators in add
tional cities going out, but declared
that none Of the day strikes left them
with an entirely crippled force.
Enough men have remained in ev-
cry Office" they said, Ito enable us to
handle all ordinary traffic and to at
lend to the technical and ndministrat-
i've ends Of the business"
These statements on behalf OF the
companies were declared to be based
on reports from all over the country
and We're not confined to the situation
in the general offices in New York.
Telegra piers Express Confidence.
The officials of the ~telegraphers'
union, on the other hand, expressed
confidence and satisfaction with the
progress of the strike. They pointed
to the cities In which q number OF OPP
orators of both the big companies had
left their keys and predicted that their
example would influence other offices in
which the men have been wavering to
join the ranks of the strikers.
AS far as the situation in New York
is concerned, but two new features de-
yeloped yesterday. One was a meet
ing of the Wall street chapel of the
Commercial T%elegraphers' union. at
which 1t was decided to present to their
employers a demand for a contract for
a minimum weekly wage scale of $50.
The Wall street chapel has about 500
members, all men who operate brokers'
leased wires in this and nearby cities.
The present contract to run for one
year, but no time is set for its sigma
ture.
Mediator Would Help.
Another was an offer by A. j. Rea-
gan, state mediator of the department
of labor of the state of New York, to
lend his good offices to bring about a
officials Of the companies. General
Superintendent Brooks. of the West
ern Union, declared his company had
not a thing to arbitrate, and Mr.. Nally,
of the Postal, made practically the
same reply. George r. Ahearn. pres
ident Of the local union, said that he
had old Mr.. Reagon the operators
were perfectly willing to submit their
Ease to sincere arbitration and would
readily appoint a man to act for them
If the companies would do the same.
Thus far the employers have, however,
given 40 indication that they will do
and maintain the position hat so
far as their men are concerned there
is nothing to arbitrate.
Twenty-six More Out.
T. Percy Thomas, deputy national
president of the t~elegraphers' union,
said: "Twenty-six cities in the United
States and Canada struck yesterday.
The situation last night was satisfac-
tory In every way to the national Of
dcers."
Chicago, Aug. 14.-with the Western
Union and Postal Telegraph employees
out in practically every big city OF
the country and in many of the small
er ones, the strike situations this after
n,oon is rapidly growing darker. Many
lines Of business are feeling the loss
coast to coast bids fair to be badly
crippled before another forty-eight
hours.
Bell and Independent telephone COM
panies throughout the country are
overtaxed and cannor begin to keep
up with the business demanded.
A ray of hope is offered in the move
started here to get the national gov
eminent to temporarily at least take
over the telegraph business.
Labor Commissioner Neill aud Secre-
tary. Easley of the National Civic Fed
Grafton arrived In the city about mid
day.
General Secretary Russell has sent
out the following bulletin:
ITO All Locals on Strike-Stand firm
and under no circumstance return to
work until officially sanctioned. Pres
ident Small and the executive board
will meet here Wednesday night. All
points are solid as a rock. Many union
contracts are being signed by brokers
and press associations. Chicago is
absolutely closed up. No strike break
ers have arrived all reports to the con-
trary Notwithstanding. We nave the
battle won.
An Eager Young Striker.
Omaha, Neb., Aug. 13.-One messen-
ger boy In the employ Of the Associated
Press didn't propose to work a minute
longer than the ~telegraphers stayed at
their posts. AS soon as the keys quit
clicking he called up n Of the local
papers and said:
Say, there S some copy over here for
sou fellows. If o want it, come and
get It,"
At no point in the west is the tele-
graphers' strike of more Importance
.iian in Omaha. Forming a gateway
to the Pacific coast for both of the
great telegraph companies. the walkout
In this city was of greater effect on
COLORADO STRIKE OVER: