The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-08-12

strike talk during the day, and the | operators were strongly of the opinion | that strike would be called. Deputy President Thomas. who was delegated | by President Small to direct the situ- ation in the East, made a short speech, | in which he said that he was willing ! to abide by any decision of the meet | ing. several warm speeches decla riuM | for a strike were made by members l after Thomas had concluded. and a motion to call a strike was about to be made when Chairman Ahearn an- | nounced that J. r. Archbold, the Sec retary of the National Civic Fedora tion and member of the Brotherhood of Painters, had am important state- ment to make.
 Mr. Archbold said that he had re- ceIved a telegram from United States Labor Commissioner Charles F. Neill at Washington, that ne was proceeding & to Chicago immediately al the request of President Roosevelt, to confer with President Small, of the Telegraphers, Samuel Gompers, President of the American Federation of Labor, and Ralph M. Easley, Chairman of the Ex- ecutive Council of the National Civic Federation, to try to elect settle ment of the difhculties now existing between the telegraph companies and their employees. MT. AfchboId told the meeting that Commissioner Neill de- sided that the local operators made no strike declarations at this time.
 Men Wanted 10 Vote.
 Several men were on their feet in an instant, and a strong effort was made to bring the meeting to a vote, declaring that the time had been pass ed for barley and nothing couId come from the Chicago conference. Several of the older men counseled delay and In the heated argument that followed. Chairman Ahearn had to rap repeatedly for order.
 An amended resolution was finally adopted that "in view of the statement of Mr. Archbold. immediate action on the question of calling strike be de- ferred. and that ths~local union notify both telegraph companies that if they continue trying to recruit strike break CTS in New York, summary action will be taken. and further that the media tors now on their way to Chicago be given until Friday noon to conduct ne- gotiations. If by that time they have failed to secure material and favor- able concessions. the New York local president is empowered to call strike immediately"
 Deputy President Thomas said after the meeting, that President Small and the National Executive Committee of the union, would hold a meeting in Chicago on next Thursday to consider the advisability of calling a ge:.-- al strike.
 President Ahearn said:
 ''The officers of the local approve the action taken today. It will show that we are honest in this fight and we are putting 1t up to the companies dt- rect now. It Is the last chance that the companies have to avoid a strike
 E. J. Nally. vice president and gem eral manager of the Postal Company. sent out to all Postal offices the fol- lowing statement:
 We shall take firm stand In deal- ing with the situation. You are An- thorized to advise managers at the points where strike conditions prevail to Jay to our local men who stand by us in our difficulties that all operators will be paid their regular salaries as bonus, and their services at the key will be computed as extra on ba- sis of seven hours per day or night. and where you deem 1t wise to do so, you may also furnish free meals and lodgings until we return to normal con- ditions."
 The members of the National Exec utive Board who are proceeding to Chi caEo to take part in the negotiations are: Chairmanf R. J. Fowler, of Mem- phis; NJ. l.. Reidy. of Boston; Joseph M. Sullivan. of New York; S. J. Koken- kamp, of Pittsburg. and c. E. Hill of Toronto.
 It was stated by union men that the Commercial Photographers have work ing agreement with the Order of Rail- way Photographers by which the latter are pledged to support them. The railroad operators are credited with having in their treasury the second lar gest labor union reserve fund of the