Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-26
TO TAKE A NEW TACK
STRIKING KEYMEN WILL AP
PEAL TO PUBLIC OPINION.

First National Vice President w. w.
Reattie Of the Commercial Telegraphers
Union, whose headquarters are at the Hotel
Regent in this city today made a statement
concerning the present strike of the key
men. He says the telegraphers have adopt
ed new tack. which they expect will
arouse public opinion. and that following
this sentiment an appeal Is to be made to
Congress.
In the statement Vice President Beattie
says the striking operators have just COM
pleted arrangements to force a settlement
of their grievances through the power of
public opinion and are now prepared to
await such decision owing to the liberal
response which Is being made to the appeal
for all by the American Federation of La
Dor
1T has been arranged to have resolutions
offered In Congress both Senate and House
the first day of the session, December .,
asking for investigation whether there is
a combination in restraint of trade between
the Western Union and Postal companies in
violation of the Sherman antitrust law
and also a resolution providing for the as
certainment of the actual physical valuation
of the telegraph companies.
These committees will have power to
send for persons and papers and to take
testimony and thus bring to light the enor-
nous overcapitalization and profits Of the
telegraph trust.
Testimony of Experts.
THE testimony of experts will show that
the general public has been mulcted out of
millions of dollars by this combination of
telegraph interests.
THE recent simultaneous raise in the
telegraph tariffs of from 10 to 90 per cent
will be inquired into and the utter unjus-
tifiableness of the transaction laid bare.
1T will be demonstrated that the actual
expense to the companies is less than one
eighth of the charge made to the public,
and that even those who get half rates
have been paying four times the price of a
reasonable rate.
THE question OF delays in transmission
on account of parSimoniouS management
and the Inadequate service to the public as
well the unreasonable compensation to
employees will be shown before tribunal
which has no immunity bath attachment
1.-The Central Labor Union of this city
which is connected with the American Fed
Grafton of Labor, by resolutions unani-
mously adopted seven weeks ago, asked the
President to institute an investigate ion
through the Attorney Generals office but
| has received no report up to the present
| time.
Appeal Direct to Congress
'Hence they will appeal direct to Con-
gress. Notwithstanding the optimistic
statements made daily by the trusts agents
| the fact remains that the keymen stand
| firm and there has been only eight deser-
| lions from the ranks of the men forced
| to strike in this district. They have estab-
| lished camp for the single men at Cabin
| John bridge, and are prepared to fight II
out on this line until the force Of public
opinion compels just settlement. SINH ar
arrangements to take care of the men are
| in operation in many of the large centers
and the morale and determination of the
men to make finish fight of It has been
! a revelation to the leaders, who may not be
able to restrain general strike even
| among those who have unwittingy been
| duped into making contracts containing
| false pretenses."