The Washington herald., 1907-09-20
.TALKOF ARBITRATION
New York Operators Call on
Commissioner Neill.
AT OUTS WITH THE PRESIDENT
Committee of Two, Claiming IN
Represent Dissatisfied strikers,
pOintment of ArbifratOrs-Mr. NeiiI
Leaves the City for st. Louis.

Charles p Nell. Commissioner Of La-
Dor is understood 10 have had a con-
ference yesterday with Thomas l. Mahan,
president of the Union Telegraphers'
League and member Of the telegraph
strikers executive committee in New
York. and Arthur c. Dougiass. chairman
OF the Postal Telegraph Company's chapel
IN New York IN regard 10 a settlement
OF the telegraphers'. strike.
According to the story told by Mahan
and Douglass 10 some Of those whom they
saw before starting back 20 New York
last evening, they came here as a COM
mittee, representing a meeting Of striking
telegraph operators. who are dissatisfied
with the management Of the strike by
President Small and are anxious TO make
terms with the two telegraph companies
This meeting. they said, was held in New
York last Sunday They declared that
they had talked over with Commissioner
Neill proposition for the appointment
OF arbitrators TO adjust the differences
between the companies and their striking
employees.
Operators Suggest SIX Arbitrators.
This proposition, they said. contem-
plated the appointment of six arbitrators.
three representing the two telegraph com
panies and three representing the oper-
ators. who are willing 10 make terms. In
/ the event that the arbitrators are unable
70 reach an agreement. President Roose-
welt. they said would be asked 10 ap-
point an umpire whose decision would be
/ final
It was declared also by Mahan and
/ Douglass that ten days beginning to-
/ day. would be devoted 10 conferences be
/ tween the telegraph companies and the
operators who want 10 settle the strike
| in regard 10 the proposition made 10
Commissioner Nell. They said that the
I proposal for the appointment Of three
/ representatives Of the American Fedora
tion OF Labor 20 represent the striking
telegraphers in conferences with the tele-
graph company officials had been rejected
I by the operators represented by Mahan
/ and Douglass. and that the Federation Of
Labor would have no concern In the ad-
/ justment Of existing differences.
Commissioner Nell left Washington for
St Louis yesterday afternoon. and no
L
gard 10 the story told by Mshan and
Douglass.
Secretary Straus Not Advised.
Oscar :. Straus. Secretary Of Commerce
and Labor said last night that he had
held a conference yesterday afternoon
with Commissioner Nell and other bureau
chiefs Of his department, but that the
subject OF the telegraph strike was not
mentioned by Commissioner Nell. and
that Mr. StraUs had heard nothing TO
confirm the story that an arbitration pro-
posaI had been made 10 the commissioner.
In regard 70 the conference with his sub
ordinates. Secretary Straus said:
In accordance with custom which I
adopted when became Secretary Of Com
merce and Labor. the chiefs Of the va
rious divisions and bureaus meet me by
appointment 90 discuss departmental mat
ters Commissioner Neil submitted a pre-
lminary report on Child labor. question
which he is about 10 investigate We did
not refer 10 the telegraph strike"