The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-12
GENERAL STRIKE WILL
 BE CALLED THIS MORNING IN
 UNITED STATES AND CANADA
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1J

lsJ >~-~---~-~-~-----~-~-~-~ ~---7---N------7- to be made when Chairman Ahearn an nounced that J. P. Archbold. the secretary of the National Civic Federation, and member of the Brotherhood of Painters, had an important statement to make.
 MT. Arehbold said that he had received a telegram from United States Labor Commissioner Charles P. Neill at Wash ington that he was proceeding to Chicago immediately at the request of President Roosevelt to confere with President Small of the Photographers union; Samuel Com pers of the Federation of Labor, and Ralph NJ. Easley, chairman of the eXecu- tive council of the National Civic Feder- alton, to try to effect a settlement of the difficulties now existing between the tole- graph companies and their employees
 Eager for Strike.
 Mir ArchboId told the meeting that Commissioner Neill desired that the local operators make no strike declarations at this time. Several men were on ther feet In an instant, and a strong effort was made to bring the meeting to vote, declaring that the time had been passed Tor barley, ana nOtnlng could COlllS lIoih the Chicago conference Several of the older men counseled delay and in heat dargument that followed, Chairman Ahearn had to rap repeatedly for or- der.
 An amended resolution was finally adopted that s'In view of the statement oI Mir Archbold, immediate action on the question of calling a strike be de- ferred and that the local union notify both telegraph companies that if they continue trying to recruit strilkebreakers in New York summary action will be taken and further that the mediators now their way to Chicago be given until Friday noon to conduct negotiations. If by that time they have failed to se- cure material and favorable concessions the New York local president Is empow- cred to cal a strike immediately. Deputy President Thomas said after the meeting that President Small and tse national executive committee of the union would hold meeting in Chicago on next Thursday to consider the advisanil- ity of calling a general strike President Ahern said
 President Ahern.
 "The officers of the local approve the action taken today. It will show that we are honest in this fight and we are putting it up to the companies direct now.
 
 have to avoid a strike"
 s J. Nally, vice president and gen eral manager of the Postal company, sent out to all Postal offices the following statement:
 We shall take a firm stand in dealing | with the situation. You are authorized to advise managers at the points where | strike conditions prevail to say to our loyal men who stand by us in our ditfi- culties that all operators will be paid their regular salaries as a bonus and their services at the key will be com puted as extra on a basis of seven hours per day or night, and where you deem 1t wise to do so you may also furnish free meals and lodging until we return to normal conditions"
 The members of the national executlVe board who are proceeding to Chicago to take part in the negotiations, are Chair man R. J. Fowler of Memphis, M J. Reidv of Boston, Joseph NJ Sullivan or New York, S. J. Kohenkamp of Pittsburg and C. E. Hill of Toronto, Ont. It was stated by union men that the Commercial telegraphers have a working agreement with the Order of Railroad Telegraphers, by which the latter are pledged to support them.
 The railroad telegraphers are credited with having In their treasury the sec. ond largest labor union reserve fund or the country.