Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-08-17
100000 FOR STRIKE FUND
President Small Declares Photographers
Will Have Sum in Two Months.


Will Have Sum in Two Months.
Chicago, Aug. 1.-Two million dol
lars for a strike fund! PRESIDENT Syl-
vester j. Small of the International
Photographers union yesterday de-
clared that the telegraphers would have
that sum in their war chest within the
next two months.
It was the first time an officer Of the
union had expressed an opinion that
the struggle would be protracted one.
It Indicated that the national leaders
appreciate the gravity Of the situation,
il the rank and file do not, and are
making preparations for 1t. \
Mr.. Small Furthermore observed that
talking would not win the strike; that
plenty of hard work would be demand
ed OF the officers and members.
The energies of the union from now
on will be directed toward gathering in
the strike fund. It was not stated at
the mass meeting at Brands hail. adj
dressed by Mr.. Small, where the 81
100000 would come from, or whether
1t would be from voluntary subscrip-
ltiols or strike assessments.
There are 100000 members of the
federation of labor but under their
constitution the order cannot be as
sessed more than 10 cents year for
each member. Other labor organiza-
tions have similar provisions in their
charters. This matter will be taken up
by Samuel Gompers, president of the
National Federation OF Labor, at the
meeting OF the executive board in
Washington next week.
There were indications that the
strike fund will be needed. The gem
eral strike order issued early in the
morning did not meet with a response
calculated to arouse the national Off
GERS or the local strikers to the high
est pitch Of enthusiasm. The state
ments made several days ago by the
telegraph companies that the strikers
already had taken out all the men they
possibly could was borne out to a
great extent.
The statistical department at the
national headquarters in the Monon
building had promised to give out
some figures last evening showing the
spread Of the strike in consequence Of
the general order, but after brief
conference they decided that the fig
ures were not available.
lowing to the impaired telegraph
service" one of the general officers
explained. "it will be forty-eigh hours
before we begin to get full action on
the general strike order"
The union telegraphers found cause
for congratulation, however, in the fact
that every other brokerage firm in
Chicago had either signed unior
contract or had agreed to sign it.
Another cause for rejoicing among
the unionists was the report, made by
a committee from the operators en-
ployed in the stockyards, that every
packing firm. with the exception OF
Armour & Co., whose men have struck
had agreed to union contract provid-
Ing an increase in wages and the closed
shop.
A committee from the forty opera
tors employed by the American Tel
egraph and Telephone company re-
ported that the corporation had agreed
to sign union contract providing
for an eight hour day and 20 pei
cent increase in salary. From the
company came a reiteration OF the
statement that the men had not asked
for an increase and none was being
considered.