The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-08-11

CHICAGO, August l0.-Encouraged by
the success in hampering both CONNER
cial telegraph companies in Chicago, the
striking operators are planning TO carry
warfare to all parts Of Canada and the
United States.
Instructions were today telegraphed
by National Secretary Russell to the
men In New York and other cities where
they still are at work TO save money
and walt orders" Another telegram was
sent TO President Small OF the Tele-
gIaphers Union in San Francisco urging
him TO take the first train to Chicago as
il IL announced II Is the intention Of the
men TO engineer the fight from Chicago
The telegraph companies are prepar'
ing to meet the issue and declare they
will fight to finish.
They declare they have been tenn
porizing with the union for months and
that they win hold no further negotia-
tions with II. Cots have been installed
in the buildings Of both companies in
Chicago for the accommodation of strike
breakers and other preparations for a
bitter struggle are being perfected,
There are approximately 1000 tele.
graph operators on strike in 80 cities
throughout the country and the list is
being added to every few minutes.
There will be no union recognition in
this controversy" said President Cook.
"Will you meet President Gompers of
the American Federation of Labor
should he come to Chicago and offer his
services.' Cook was asked.
I'VE will not was the emphatic an
swot.
Gompers is expected here Monday
morning. Superintendent Capen of the
Postal Company said his company is
making better progress than he antici-
pated.
"Some of our old employees have al
ready returned he declared, "and
others declare their intention Of doing
so.' ..."
National Secretary Russell of the
relegraphes' Union said:
'We are highly pleased with the
situation and no matter what sort Of
claims the telegraph officials may make,
the fact remains they are not doing any
business. They have a few chiefs and
inexperienced telegraphers at work, but
instead of the companies being able to
handle the public's business they are
merely trying to mislead the public.
We know for an actual fact that in
Chicago there are not 80 operators at
work where under normal conditions the
number amounts to 1850. We are in the
fight to stay and we must have recogni-
tion of our union or the union might as
well 60 out of business"
All day today the committee was pre-.
pairing demands which will be submitted
to the telegraph companies Monday as a
preliminary to ordering a general strike.
The demand in substance provided for
equal pay for equal work and an eight
hour day, abolition Of the sliding scale,
and the companies to furnish typewrit-
crs and to cease discriminating against
union men.
II the companies refuse these demands
the men in New York and all other cities
1t is declared tonight, will be ordered to
refuse to work with non union men. This
indicates 1t will be only matter Of
hours before the strike will be general
in the United States and Canada.
Strikers 1t was said tonight are plan
ming to cripple the long distance tele-
graph service. There are 80 operators
employed in this branch of the service in
Chicago. These men are expert wire
men and are used to make up the cir