Evening star., 1907-11-13

The business and righteousness of a cause
is one thing; the time for its attempted
enforcement is another.
1T was clearly the conviction of those
who had experience that the time for
general strike among the commercial
telegraphers, no matter how praisewortny
the cause. was inoppOrtune, particularly
so when such pledges of further Conces-
sions had been made. 1t was at this pc
riod that I advised the officers Confiden-
TALLY. and as strongly l could. as to
the impracticability of a general strike
at that time. | urged them to accept the
offers made and to work for the eXten-
sion and strengthening of their organiza
ton, with a view to constant betterment
for the men and women who depend for
their livelihood upon the operation of the
keys. OF course, l had neither the right
nor the desire unwarrantedly to interfere
with the management of the affairs of
the organization. but II seemed to me
duty demanded that l should place my
experience before the officers that they
might reap whatever benefit might result
therefrOm, SO as to help safeguard the
interests Of the membership. that tha
continuity Of the organization might not
only be assured, but also that it might
prove of lasting benefit to the craft.
THAT the advice was disregarded by
those then in authority in the organiza-
ton Is not due to me. nor to any failura
to render them every possible coeasel,
duk ilS anu ASSISTANCE u carry On IlHIE
contest to the fullest possible frution. Ii
has been clearly shown that at least a
tactical mistake has been made. Those
now intrusted with the affairs of the or
ganization realized this fact. 1t is my
conviction that the strike will not how
good in the condition of the telegraphers
1t is our duty to render every assistance
we possibly can that the organization of
the commercial telegraphers may be
,s,,t, ir,a.J -, i
light Of experience better results may
follow for the men and women engageo
in commercial telegraph work.
The report of Secretary Frank Morrison
showed the total receipts for the year,
including the balance on hand October /,
1906. to have been S2S7.S7O So. The total
expenditures for the year were Sl59,-
96O.S4. leaving a balance on hand October
|. 1907. of s127,91O.o2. OF this balance
SOB o7s.s3 is in the defense fund.
The membership of'the A. F. l.. is given
as 1,o3S,97o against 264s5 in 1897
Treasurer John B. Lennon in his an
nual report states that during the seven
Seen years he has filled that Office he
has handled funds of the federation to the
amount of S1.J75. 2S7 .96. He also said:
BE cheerful. The masses are awaken
ing. The spirit of true democracy i
manifest All over the world. This is
work. Remember that the Lord only
helps those who help themselves. Stand
pat for the trade union. Improve wherever
possible. both as to principles and meth
DDS. Be not dismayed at any obstacle
Remember what las been done in the
past. and go forward with confidence as
to the future
Joseph Z. Goodkey of the government
printing office has returned from his
home at Louisville, Ky. where he went
to cast his vote. Mr. Goodkey at
tributes the success of the republicans
IN Louisville to the fact that the print
ers and organized labor generally
fought Mr.. Tyler, the mocratic noni
nee for. mayor. because of his alleged
connection with the Employers Asso-
cation, and to the further fact that
he said he would give Louisville the
Kind of Sunday it wanted. regardless
of state laws on the subject. Mr. Will
son being 4 Louisville man and a very
able lawyer. of course every Louis
william voted for him, regardless of
party, for city and state pride