New-York tribune., 1907-08-14

was being prepared demanding, among other
things. an increase of 10 per cent in wages
James P. Archibald. secretary Of the New
York Civic Federation one of those who coun-
selled peace at the meeting of the telegraphers
on Sunday said he was surprised when he heard
that there was a strike. In view of the present
state of affairs, he said, and the attitude OF
both sides, he believed that arbitration was out
of the question until the strike had spent hsei
a little.
Several hundred pickets were IN
structed to their duties yesterday by Secre
tary McInerney at the offices OF Local 10 AHe'
went out with alacrity to try to persuade olher
women from taking their places. Six of them
came back in hour. and said that they iau
each persuaded a young woman to refrain from
,vorking. They were commended for their WORK
and went to look for fresh victories
The rhotoeraphers were around and Ihe
women were taken in groups and sngly- iheii
the groups of men were taken. Some or the
men strikers went to play baseball and many OF
the women went to Coney Island ihe s'ar
woman picket Miss Hilda Venson. VINO Is III
charge of the Postal chapel of the Striking
women She reported at noon that she had IN
duced five women to stop work and was going
look for
The provisions made by the companies to ac-
sorts of rumors among the strikers. 1t was
said that the big buildings had been equipped
with cots the upper stories and that the strike
breakers were to live in barracks like the nom
union workmen in a Colorado mining town ON
this ground the strikers executive committee
yesterday complained TO the Board OF Heai'h
that the hotel ordinance was being Vloiateo- All
investigation promised by Dr Darhhstoh'
reporter vino called at the Western Union
Building last night was told by Vice-Pres1dene
Brooks that there were few cots in the build
ing where the men late work might take IL
nan Most of them were lodged at nearby
hotels he said. AS for feeding the strike break
ers he explained that there had been for years
a restaurant on the sixth floor for the convent
ence of employees. Although it was known that
many cots were set UP in the Postal Telegraph
Building Vice-President Nay sent out word
last night that he had nothing to say as to the
commissary.
The women employees Of the Western Union
were taken away from the entrance of the
building in automobiles last night. Three COW
cred cars and a sightseeing machine were used
The women were carried only to some con-
venient subway elevated entrance Private
detectives accompanied them, and numerous
trips were made AT first the strikers merely
hissed but the sightseeing car loaded with
twenty-five women caused the TO break
into jeers and shouts. This the nearest the
telegraphers came to making a disturbance.
Vice President Brooks stood on the steps of the
building supervising the entraining of the petit
coat forces, and expressed himself pleased
with the result.
Daniel l. Russell. chairman of the strategy
board and former national president of the
Commercial Telegraphers' Union issued state
ment in which he asked the public not to be-
Ieve reports purporting to give the union side
Of the present contest unless the reports were
over his signature
His statement continues:
The telegraphers are responsible for this
strike. On Sunday. in the face OF violent storm
Of bitter opposition the union leaders succeeded in
preventing the issuance of strike call This was
done for the purpose of avoiding Inconvenience 10
the public. Had this example been emulated by
the telegraph officials Monday morning there
would have been no strike.
Manager Barclay of the Western Union. how
ever failed to retract the charge which he made
Saturday that the locked Western Union
employees, nine in number. five and four
women. dismissed from the service Of his
company for drunkenness. The insult TO the men
implicated in this charge might have escaped
notice. but it felt that the operators could
not and stin consider themselves full-blooded
Americans, allow this shameful and outrageous
not TO mention lying, attack upon their woman
hood TO pass without making reprisals. This is
explanation of the sudden action OF the West
ern Union operators.
As regards the Postal, the persistent efforts Of
n chief operator to compel a loyal union 10
work with strike breakers in Chicago the
cause OF the trouble there. The union man. Of
course. refused and justified in refusing. ac-
cording to the terms OF the compromise motion
passed at Sundays meeting OF the union. He was
discharged and Immediately IA careful canvass of
the office was taken by the unions chaplains and
an overwhelming strike vote registered. The ac-
ton was perfectly legal.
have nothing else 10 say at the present time.
except this: We willing meet the officials OF
both telegraph companies in public debate and
then allow the public to pass judgment upon the
merits OF the main points at issue. We promise to
abide by the public's decision.