The Washington times., 1907-08-13
Support Asked
By w. w. Beattie
AtCentraI Union

Near the close Of the session OF Cen
tral Labor Union last night when the
Commercial Telegraphers were reached
on the regular call Of organization on
roll call w W. Beattie. first vice presi-
dent of the International Order OF Com
mercial Telegraphers, Of this city. and
delegate from his organization 20 the
central body, arose to tell his union as
sociates what his organization was do
ing
Early in the evening II had been cur
rent talk among the delegates that the
operators IN the District Of Columbia
were out. Mr.. Beattie was greeted with
an ovation. During the time he was
speaking he held the close attention
Of the body, his speech being punctured
frequently with deafening applause.
After calling attention TO the fact
that his organization was composed of
$1,000 American citizens banded togeth-
er for self-protection and preservation
as a labor organization, he said the
statement issued by the telegraph com
panies officials that the strike was a
stampede and officially unauthorized
was false, and was issued 10 deceive
the public. He said that the telegraph
ers' strike was a battle for justice and
a demand for living wages by organized
labor against all kinds Of injustiCes by
organized capital who sought to place
the men who earned their big dividends
on inflated capitalization in the ranks
OF serfs and vassals.
I'VE are In this aght for simple JUS
tice," said Mr. Beattie, demanding
that our members be paid living wages
for a high-class service. We are night
ing for fair treatment and against tho
effort Of capital to enSlaVe us by the
establishment Of the open shop and the
payment OF any wage these autOcrats
of capital shall see fit 70 offer US For
twenty years we have been slaves to the
despObc rule Of the money hogs OF
Wall Street who, aS they grow richer
on the dividends Of their wateIed stocks
which we earn for them, seek to keep
from us our just dues. They have ad-
vanced their tolls on the business
brought 70 them from the public from
20 TO 60 per cent, and when we ask TO
share In the great increase in their
earnings they refuse us.
we appeal to you as trades unionists
to give US your moral support. Seek
to aid us by drawing TO us public SYM
pathy and support and in that way you
VIII do much for organized labor in
general. We have the assurance Of the
moral and financial support of the
American Federation Of Labor and we
believe that we will win the battle
for justice,
It charge that Government officials
who have made Investigations into this
matter have been insinCere, prejudiced.
and their judgment warped by political
influences.
We are fighting for individual rights
10 demand a reasonable compensation
for our work-hvlng fwages-and for the
rights Of American citizens, and we vii!
demand. come what may, that our
national legislators shall look into the
physical conditions of these big tele-
graph trusts and enforce the laws for
the regulation Of such trusts.
We arc in the fight TO stay and before
we will surrender one of the rights of an
American citizen 70 these money vam-
pires we will walk .he streets and
starve. Give us your cordial moral sup
port and we will win our battle and a
victory for your principles"
Frank J. McKenna, delegate . from
the Plate Printers of the Bureau of
Printing and Engraving TO Central La
Dor Union, caused a forensic battle
royal when ne introduced a resolution
before the Central Labor Union pro-
viding for the appointment Of a commit
tee 70 call upon W. L. Downey. who
last week appeared in public print in
d letter advocating the open shop policy
OF the master builders as represented By
the Employers Association. and by
when the letter was made public with
Mr.. DCwneys permission.
The preamble TO the resolution recited