The Washington herald., 1907-08-12

New York Aug. u~-President sam
SEalrs determination to call 6 general
strike Of all the members Of the Com
mereial Telegraphers Union throughout
the country Monday as announced by
him through Deputy President Percy
Thomas. in this city, Saturday night
gave way to-day before the solicitation Of
labor Commissioner Charles P. Nell and
prominent leaders Of the national labor
bodies. who strongly urged the media
tion Of a board Of arbitration In Chicago.
Under an agreement reached to-day be-
tween the executive committee OF the
telegraphers' national organization and
the men seeking the submission Of the
union grievances TO arbitration, the whole
question viii be taken up in Chicago on
Thursday.
These who will attend the Chicago
council are Commissioner Nell, Presi-
dent Small. Samuel Gompers. president
OF the American Federation of Labor;
Ralph Measler. chairman of the execu- /
tive committee, National Civic Fedora /
tioE. and the members of the executive |
committee of the Commercial Telegraph
ers Union. These are Joseph N. suIli-
van. of New York; c. z. Hill, of Toronto;
S. J. Konenkamp, of Pittsburg; NJ. J.
Reidy of Boston, and R. Fowler. Of
Memphis.
NeHI Advises Caution.
This action OF New York Local No. 16
was only obtained after there had been
vigorous initial attempt TO stampede
the members into an immediate strike.
1t had been the intention of the radical
men in the local TO rush through an
order for a walk-out to take effect either
at midnight or noon Monday, and when
the meeting Of the local was called at
. O'Clock to-day this programme was
pushed with determination.
At a moment when the radicals seemed |
about 70 obtain a favorable vote on their
measure. James P. Archibald. secretary |
of the Civic Federation, told President |
Ahearn that he had just been in tele-
phonic communication with Labor Com |
missioner Neiu, at Washington. Neill had /
urged upon him to put before the meet !
ing the facts OF the forthcoming meeting
in Chicago between President Small, Of
the Telegraphers; Ralph NJ. Eastey. of the
executive. committee OF the Civic Fedora /
ton. and Samuel GOmpers, and the officers
of the Telegraphers.
Nell had asked Archibald TO warn the
New York telegraphers against taking
action before the results of the forth
coming conference could be known.
F-rE. !.
meeting the urgent plan Of Commissioner
NeiH there was a turn in the tide that
was carrying an immediate strike. After
speeches Of a temperate character had
been made by Daniel Russell, chairman OF
the local board of strategy; Herman A.
Robinson, financial secretary Of the Cen
traI Federated Unien, and NJ. J. Reidy,
the Boston member Of the executive COM
mittee of the Commercial TelegrRphers'
Union, the motion delaying the strike
until the result of the Chicago conference
was known was pat and carried by a
narrow margin.
strike Seemed Certain.
The common opinion was that there
would be an immediate strike declara-
tion. The radicals had been held in leash
by the president and executive committee
since the first outbreaks in the West, and
they were in a waTlike temper. So
unanimous seemed the strike sentiment
that when the meeting was called Percy
Thomas. appointed deputy national presi-
dent for New York and the Eastern sea
board, announced in an opening address
that he was ready 10 indorse the senti-
inent Of the majority.
Until the arrival OF Archibald and the
placing Of Neilrs message before the as
sembly, the younger men OF the union
had the floor with fiery appeals for i'm
mediate action. After NeilPs assurances
Of earnest endeavor Of the arbitrators to
settle the strike question in Chicago were
delivered the conservative men began 10
urge against hasty action.
John p Mitchell, who was a master
workman Of the Knights of Labor in New
York during the telegraphers strike of
1853. and who had charge OF the strike
in this city at that time urged a consid-
Grafton Of the labor commissioners pro-
posal
Radicals Leave Meeting.
Milan W. Russell, formerly editor Of the
Telegraph Age when that paper was a
union organ, and others Of the older
men followed, Reidy. the national ex-
ecutive committeeman, made an appeal
for pacific measures, which drew down
upon him the wrath Of the radicals.
He said that he was leaving for Chi
cago. and that there, in conjunction with
other members Of the national cOmmE-
tee. he would work for the adjustment Of
the telegraphers difficulties without the
eff aF
About the time that the sentiment be-
gan TO turn. the radicals started to leave
the meeting. About twenty-five of them
came outside with disgust stamped on
their faces. One stopped at the steps
and tore up his union card with the i'm
precation. To - with all Of them"
They viii be handed the same old |
lemon By Neill." said another Then he |
explained that if the New York men die |
not strike Immediately the telegraphers |
who had already gone out in cities all |
over the West would find themselves out !
in the cold. The East was throwing the |
West down. was the way he put IT,
Armistice Until Friday.
In the meeting. meanwhile, Thomas ]. |
Dunn had offered the motion that in
view of the plea of Labor Commissioner
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