The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1907-08-22
STATUS OF STRIKE
TeIegraphars Standing Firm
and Companies Hopeful.
ARBITRATION BROACHED
Adjustment, if Any, Must Take Place
in New York Instead of Chicago,
Says Labor Commits.
sioner NeiII.


A New York special says: Interest
in the telegra piers strike centered
Friday in the probate effects Of the
general strike order, issued by Presi-
dent Small of the national union.
Throughout the east there were few,
if any, responses which is explained on
the ground that all operators who
would strike had already quit work,
and the strike order was given import
ance only as official sanction of the
action already taken.
Both the Western Union and Postal
companies claim not to have been in
jured by President Small's call, and
to be improving their service.
The Associated Press was not af-
fected adversely. On the contrary,
several men who left the eastern SER
vice returned to work during the day.
Despite the general strike order, is
sued by President Small, both the tel
egraph companies, by actual test, were
able to handle business with greater
promptness than at any time since the
Inauguration of the strike. Many Of
the small towns that h=ve been almost
entirely cut off were heard from Fri.
day night.
Officials Of both companies declare
that instead of desertions in response
to the strike order, the reverse is the
true state Of affairs. On the other
hand, union officials claim thare was
an enthusiastic response to the strike
order.
At a conference held in Chicago Fri
day night between President S. ].
Small of the Telegrapners' Union Of
America, Secretary Russell, President
Samuel Gompers of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor, and several other
leaders it was decided definitely that
there should be no strike Of the 47,000
railroad telegrsphers Of the United
States. These operators will be called
upon shortly to, contribute a strike
fund of 100000. Two Of their general
officers attended the meeting.
The extension of communication to
the more remote and smaller towns
was proceeding rapidly and business
was being moved promptly. The Asso-
ciated Press resumed local services to
a number Of minor points and the
main circuits were working as usual.
United States Labor Commissioner
Neill left Chicago for Washington. Just
before taking his train he said that
the telegraphers' strike could not be
settled in Chicago and that the only
place where an adjustment could be
reached was in New York.
The officials of the telegraphers'
union later in the day changed front on
the proposition to arbitrate and an
nounced that they would accept the Of
ficers Of the general board of arbitra-
tors Of the Amsrican Federation OF
Labor in settling the differences. This
board consists of John Mitchell Of the
Mine Workers, Daniel j. Keefe of the
Longshoremen and Samuel Gompers.
It was Mr.. Gompers who made the
above announcement.
The etrike order issued by President
Small was as follows:
ITO All Commercial Telegraphers:
All telegraphers employed by the
commercial telegraph companies and
Associated Press and private and
leased wires not working under
union agreement are hereby called
upon to quit work Immediately.
by authority of president and gen.
eral executive board of the Commercial
Telegrapners' Union of America.
IS. J. SMALL, President"