The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-08-13
Operators Of Western
Union, Postal and Asso-
ciated Press Walk Out
NEW ENGLAND is
ONLY EXCEPTION
Unparalleled Situation in New
York Follows Action Of Men,
Which Was Unexpected at
This Ti,ne-Both Com
panies Seriously
handicapped.

panies Seriously
handicapped.
NEW YORK August 12.-The strika
Of telegraphers which originated last
Friday In Los Angeles. where it was
directed against the Western Union
Company. gradually spread Eastward,
and to-day reached New York City.
where three spontaneous walk outs.
followed in rapid succession. These
were directed against the Western
Union, the Postal Telegraph Company
and the Associated Press. In the last
named instance the strike was the
first against tho news organization.
and was fairly general throughout the
country, excepting New England.
With the stopping of work by a
majority of union operators here.
situation unparalleled followed. The 4
telegraph service. though by no means
being tied up. was seriously handi- ~
capped. Unex sectedly and when It
had been generally supposed that no 81
action would be taken locally pending
| IL SOHleleuCG ol fs1OlllIIlSblOubr.sf
| Neill with influential labor represent
tatives in Chicago. the union opera
tors declared strike In the Office OF 81
the Western Union. In explanation,
\ 1t was stated that a secret understands
ing was reached Sunday through
| which authority was given to the los
/ cal employees of the two telegraph COM
l panies TO so out at any time that their \
| |lnterssts seemed to demand immediate
actions
what both sides Claim.
Just how effective the strike was to-
might was a matter Of dispute. The
/ Western Union people claimed to he /
doing business as usual In this city
4 and to have all the help needed. In
A fact, they said that they, could not use
all the men seeking employment. Il On
the other hand, the union men claim
THAT very few competent men were
working and that the company was
lbeing tied up.
The Postal people claim to have
eighty five out of a force Of about 800
working tonight, and that they were l
doing business without serious delay.
To this the strikers replied that the
Postal had not more than twelve
operators at work.
The strike against the Associated
Press began at 500 o'clock Eastern
| time) tonight. 1t was distinct from
/ the other strikes, as the Associated
Press controls It's own leased wires
and the operators are In the direct em-
ploy of the news organization. Though
no demands had been recently mads
/ by the men, the strike had been fore-
l.shadowed.
News Service Crippled.
4 General Manager Stone received the
first intimation early Sunday night
that the telegraphtc force OF the as
sociation was likely to formulate de-
mands. These took shape later that
4 night and We're put into athe form OF
Monday, morning. The petition was
signed by many OF the telegraph ops
orators of the Associated Press
1 throughout the country. and In brief
requested a reduction in the hours Of
service and an increase Of wages.
During this afternoon Mr. Stone for
4 mulated his reply to the operators.
! which was as follows Z
Demands OF Associated Press.
NEW YORK. August 12...Melville
2, Stone. general manager Of the As As
requests of the teiegraphers employed
by the Associated Press These re-
quests We're:
"Day. work-six, days. eight hours
daily, $50 per week, and overtime and
extra at the rate of sixty cents per
Might work SIX nights, eight
hours, s35 per week, and overtime and
extra at the rate OF seventy cents per
hoar; ..!Ebs vacations . remain As a. pres.
"a proportionate increase for chiefs
and subchief operators"
BY M 4so oefaek this Monaay SS9 evening
Mr. stones reply ,foliows; ~,
II received this morning commu-
nlcation from large, 2, number s OF the
!. cated Press, asking for q changed Z
scale of wages and hours and request
ing a reply by half-past o'clock this
5The changes involved are so radi-
eal al II II their nature as 70 @ add over
B the expense of this organization Tho
q Associated Press Is mutual IN its char
acter, makes no profits and has no sur
could be paid. ANY such Increase must
iiof necessity be levied hack upon the
newspapsrs asa part pi, OF their ,n nswa wsskig
have no power TO make such an In
: crease, either in salaries or assess
board Of directors and Y, IS obviously
Impossible to call this hoard together
4 Within the time named. The board
consists of fifteen members scattered
y throughout tho entire country,
q "At the same time, acsing under au-
& thority heretofore granted me by this
Il board OF directors. shall be very
glad at any time TO meet Q Scomn'stt@AsA @ Z
= OF our own OPERATORS and confer with
them respecting hours OF service and
4 compensation with view to making
some Recommendation TO the next
A meeting of The board OF directors.$
which shall meet any fair or Just ex,5
!. .Ipsctations OF those In our operatina
service. @
lEven were free TO act. I think
Iyon must agree wish me that q anes-
tIon OF this magnitude should NOT be
(. pressed 10 conclusion within the
limits Of few !ours and without an,