The Washington herald., 1907-08-13

/ their keys after being asked TO take a
message from a nonunion man. These op-
orators were ?. H. Delaplane and f. S.
Mitchell
Delaplane was ordered back 10 work
by President Groves. with whom he COM
municated. pending a meeting Of the ex-
ecutive board, which was hastily called.
Operator Mitchell was not heard from.
Committee Votes to Wait.
After short session the COMMITTEES
adjourned until o'clock. It then con-
vened again, and held a session OF more
than three hours. It was voted by the
board to hold the matter in abeyance
until Wednesday at noon. This delay
was decided Upon 10 give two more days
for the receipt of orders.
Notice Of the action Of the committee,
which is composed Of ]. A. O'Keefe, chair
man; E. NJ Wilmington, E. \. Cullin.
Miss ellison, Fred Klotz. Edward Brown.
G. NJ MeEntee E. S. CasteIla, and Ernest
Walden, was posted by President Groves
on the bulletin board in the Postal Office.
In the meantime the excitement and
unrest had been constantly growing. The
four women in the office, 1t is said, were
first in the excitement They oanvassed
every bit Of strike news they could get
hold of. and there were frequent confer
ences When the enthusiasts could CON
troll themselves no longer, they sent a
message. which was circulated for sigma
lures, to the committee, requesting a post
tive yes or no" Immediately
When the notice was posted, il created
great dissatisfaction, and International
Vice President Beattie, who was at work
IN the office. seeing that it was impossible
to longer hold the enthusiasm in check.
stood Up and said: "An those in favor of
an immediate strike say aye. " The an
sWer was unanimous
Mr.. Beattie then gave the signal. and as
ene man the operators closed their keys,
and, putting on their coats, walked out.
Manager Prosser. getting wind Of what
was Up. hurried TO the scene, but ne was
powerless. The elevator brought down
load after load, until the operating room
was elptied. Mrs. F. S. Mitchell. wife
OF one OF the operators laid of. and Op-
orator Mercy, both Of them nonmembers
OF the union, joined IN the walk-out. Mrs.
Mitchell and the other three woman on
erators-Misses E. NJ Hall, Emma Pa
stella, and Miss Marks-were among the
most enthusiastic strikers. They laughed
and chatted eXeitedly, and when aues-
toned said they thought It was right and
they were glad II had happened.
All Of the check girls and clerks. Il is
said, six IN number, followed the other
strikers, and went out, there being moth
ing for them 10 do
President Groves went Immediately IN
the long distance telephone Office. and es-
tabltshed communication with Percy
Thomas, acting deputy president for the
East Mr.. Thomas gave orders for a
general walk-oUt Following the Lead Of
Mr. Groves, the entire body of telegra-
piers. swelled by the ranks Of the night
force, which failed to report for work.
when they appeared and learned that the
strike was on, proceeded to the Western
Union Office and made q demonstration.
All efforts 10 get in were fruitless. Many
heads appeared at the windows of the
operating room, and, In answer to tbe
calls and cheers, a blank was finally drcn-
ped from one OF the windows contain
ing the sentence: Come up and blow the
whistle"
Hard to Get Into Office.
Every possible means was tried TO get
the Western Union men out, but with
out avail II was found almost impossi-
bic 10 communicate with them. ennis
saries being denied admittance, and all
attempts to get a message in from the
branch Offices failed, as the loops were
pulled by the company as soon as com
munieation was established For hours
the crowd, ever swelling, stood outside.
and again the woman members were in
evidence. Lieut.. Hartley and a. detail of
police from the First precinct appeared
on the scene, but they had nothing 10
do, as aside from venting their enthu-
stasm the crowd was quiet and orderly.
During all this time the leaders in the
Western Union Office refused to take the
men out with local orders. They were
communicated with, but would not call
the men. They asked orders from head
quarters. Temporary strike headquarters
had been established by Vice President
Beattie in the Office OF Griffin, rHalstead &
Co.. which had been loaned by courtesy.
A little after o'clock a message was
sent IN to Chairman O'Keefe. Of the
executive board.
Letter to O'Keefe.
It was as follows:
Dear Sir and Brother:
have lust received the folc~ing long distance
telephone communication from Deputy President
Percy Thomas:
New York has gone out Washington should be
out, and desire that you should order al Western
Union and Postal men out st once"
hope you VIII lose no time In presenting this
TO such members at work In the Western Union
and urgs upon them the necessity for immediate
action on Their part
It is needless to say how much faith have in
the loyalty Of our men, and I trust there VIII be a
solid response TO this appeal to their fratemaIsm.
Frsternslly yours. A. S GROVES
President"
AIr. O Keefe then ordered the men out.
Their appearance on the street was
greeted with wild cheering. Upon reach
ing the street, Mr. OrKeefe explained that
he did not wish to take any action that
was not legal and in accordance with the
constitution Of the unioI, saying that he.
without orders, would have obeyed tbs
executive committee, and waited until
Wednesday noon.
Two union operators refused to leave
with the crowd. but these two, it IS SAID
came out later
IN the face Of the claims of the union
that seven chiefs and about ten men
were in the Office, Manager Taft stated
that there were fully twenty-five men at
the keys.
President Groves stated last night that
many nonunion men had come. out with
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