Evening star., 1907-08-15
morning was returned to him late last
night with the notification that 1t could
not be sent. as the wires were tied up.
Chief Operators May Strike.


Chief Operators May Strike.
Word was received at local strike head
quarters today that the chief operators in
New York city contemplate Joining the
strikers
IF this occurs" said one Of the executive
committeeman. 1T will be a stroke the
Western Union Company will never recover
from and will win the strike for u.s."
A report said to be based on the best au-
thority was received at headquarters from
Chicago that o. out Of the 100 chief opera
tors there had walked out, which is said to
explain why Chicago Is unable to handle
much business. as the companies have no
operators who are competent to manipulate
the complicated switchboards. 1t was also
learned that fifty Of the operators en-
ployed by the Armour Company had walked
out and Joined the strikers.
The statement was made today at strike
headquarters that President Perham OF the
Brotherhood of Railway Telegraphers said,
while he was in this city recently, he would
not see the Commercial Telegraphers'
Union perish If he could prevent 1t; that II
1t became necessary he would call out all
the railway operators and tie up all the
railroads in the United States and Canada,
however much he might regret to do so.
The calling Of the local strike Of the
teegraphers August II, one day ahead Of
the scheduled date for the walkout In this
city. Is said to have been due to the super
for the fatefui number rs" Had the strike
not been ordered by Vice President Beattie
August IL. 1t Is said the strike order would
have been received the 18th from New York.
Up to a late hour this afternoon the walt
ing committeeman at strike headquarters
had not received the eagerly expected mes
sage from President Small at Chicago.
Messenger Boys Weaken.
The messenger boys got the worst Of It,,
according to their leaders. The striking
youngsters began to desert "de gang" about
4:3O o'clock yesterday afternoon. First
they commenced to return to work singly,
then in squads. and finally this morning
the remainder went back to the employ
ment places en- masse-that Is. such Of them
as the managers Of the telegraph compa-
MES would accept. 1t was stated that GER
tain of the moro strenuous leaders had
been placed on the blacklist and would not
be re-employed.
One Of the first happenings this morning
was the action Of a policeman who had
been detailed to suppress any disorderly
conduct On the part OF the boys. He found
VIII Bowes, said to be the first lieutenant
OF the strikers, near the entrance to the
messengers room Of the Postal Company.
and. suspecting that Bowes was on picket
duty, took him into custody. The lad was
escorted to the first precinct station house
on 18th street, and. after being given a
stiff lecture" as the boy described 1t, was
allowed to depart.
What did yer get, WIFI asked another
striker, as Bowes emerged from the station
house.
II got hot warning" was the reply.
Leader Bowes later said he was picked up
by the policeman for hanging around"
and that when he reached the station house
he was notified that he must either go to
work or else stay away from the vicinity
OF the telegraph offices.
Policemen on Guard.
Bicycle policemen were stationed near
the Postal and Western Union buildings
today, with Instructions to prevent any un-
necessary lettering by the boys and to pre-
vent the strikers from holding up and
maltreating lads who had gone to work as
messengers. The first boys to take out
telegraphic messages this forenoon were
accompanied several blocks on their jour-
neys by bicycle policemen.
One vivacious youngster exclaimed in
front of the Postal building:
Gee de bicycle cops Is everywhere and
de striking boys is as scarce as hens teeth
this morning. No wonder we lost. when de
companies had de cops on dere side"