The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1907-08-14

Strike Was Against Wishes Of Union
Officers Strikers VIII Receive Sup.
port Of Organization.
New York, Aug. 13-The strike Of
photographers which originating last
Friday in Los Angeles where 1t was
directed against the Western Union
company, has gradually spread east
ward. Yesterday it reached New
York city, where three spontaneous
"walkouts" followed in rapid sue
cession. These were ordered against
the Western Union, the Postal Tele-
graph company and the Associated
Press.
In the latter instance the strike was
the first against the news organiza-
tion and was fairly general throughout
the country west of New England.
With the stopping of work by many of
the union operators here a situation
unparalleled has followed, the tele-
graph business, though by no means
tied up, being seriously handicapped.
Unexpectedly and when 1t had been
generally supposed that no action
would be taken locally pending a con.
ference of Labor Commissioner Neil
with influential labor representatives
OF Chicago Thursday, the union opera
tors declared strike in the office of
a Western Union office. In explana-
tion it was said by the strikers that
three discharged employees who had
applied at the Office for wages due
had been treated with scmt courtesy.
An hour or so later the men in the
main Office of the Postal Telegraph
company walked out. In this instance
it was said the union men had been
asked to work wire manned in an
other city by non-union operator.
Support Of Organization.
While these strikes appear to be in
violation of the understanding reach
ed by the local executive officers of the
union Sunday, Immediately following
the walkouts officers of the union de
clared that the strikers would receive
the support of their organization. 1t
was added that a secret understanding
was reached Sunday through which
authority was given to the local en-
ployes of telegraph companies to go
out at any time that their interests
seemed to demand immediate action.
The Western Union people claim to
be doing business as usual in this
city and to have all the help needed.
In fact they said that they could not
use all the men seeking employment.
On the other hand, the union men
claim that very few competent men
were working and that the company
was being tied up.
The Postal people claim to have 50
out of a force of about 300 people
working and that they are doing bust
ness without serious delay. To this
the strikers replied that the Postal
had not more than ~ operators at
work.
The strike against The Associated
Press began at $3.50 o'clock last night.
1t was distinct from the other strikes,
as The Associated Press controls it's
own leased wires and the operators
are in the employ of the news organ
ization. Though no demands had
been made recently by the men the
strike had been foreshadowed.
General Manager Stone received the
first intimation Sunday night that the
telegraphic force of The Associated
Press was likely to formulate de-
mands These took form Sunday night
and were put into the form of peti-
ton which reached Mr.. Stone Mon
day morning. The petition was signed
by many of the telegraph operators OF
The Associated Press throughout the
country. and in brief requested a re-
duction in the hours of service and an
increase in wages.
During the afternoon Mr.. Stone
formulated his reply to the operators.
Thus the situation stood at p. m.
when the day force went off duty and
the night force came on in all the
great news centers of the country.
Operators were in an evident state Of
unrest, and the transmission OF news
was frequently interrupted with mes
sages from point to point canvassing
the attitude of the men.
Secretary Russell of the Commercial
Telegraphers' union advised the oper-
ators to secure definite date for the
consideration of their demands. In
some localities disposition was
shown to remain at work until 1880
Tuesday night in order that Mr. Stone
might have reasonable opportunity to
communicate with the directors OF
The Associated Press. On the other
hand the operators at several South
ern points indicated an intention not
IN wait beyond 1880 o'clock. This
sentiment found general acceptance,
and at 1880 Chicago time), or $50
New York time) there was general
suspension of the service throughout
the country.
Suspension Not Complete.
In the New York Office the suspen-
sion was not attended with any dem
onstration. The men at the keys left
their work and quietly withdrew The
suspension was not complete, as sufll-
cient force remained loyal to send a
martial news service in all directions
The same condition prevailed at all
large offices except those in New Eng