The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-08-16
TELEGRAPHERS STRIKE
CONTINUES TO SPREAD
AFFECTS EVERY SECTION OF
UNITED STATES.
Associated Press Men Strike for First
Time-Three Spontaneous Walk
outs in New York.

last Friday in Los Angeles, where 1t
was directed against the Western I'm
ion company, gradually spread east
ward and today reached New York
city. where three spontaneous "walk-
outs" followed in rapid succession.
These were directed against the West
Gil Union, the Postal Telegraph COM
pany and the Associated Press. In
the latter instance the strike was first
against the news organization and was
fairly general throughout the country,
excepting New England. With the
stopping of work by majority OF
union operators here, situation un-
paralleled followed the telegraph,
though by no means being tied up,
was seriously handicapped.
Unexpectedly, and when it had been
generally supposed that no action
would be taken locally, pending 4 con-
ference Of Labor Commissioner Neill
with influential labor representatives
in Chicago. the union operators de-
clared a strike in the office Of the
Western Union. In explanation 1t
was stated that a secret understand
ing was reached Sunday, through
which authority was given to the 10
cal employees Of the two telegraph
companies to 60 out any time that
their interests seemed to demand I'M
mediate action.
. Mr.. Stone remained at the general
offices of the As oeiated Press
throughout the night, receiving re-
ports from various sections and ar
ranging for the uninterrupted con-
tinuance Of the news service to the
newspapers of the country. One OF
his first messages was one OF recogn1-
tion for the devotion of those who
had remained loyal to the service.
Another message directed that all
men who had struck be paid off and
their services terminated as soon as
possible.
Towards midnight Chicago report
ed that at $50 service had been re-
sumed south of Louisville to Nash
Vile, Chattanooga, Montgomery,
Memphis and Macon.
Washington, which is the great
news centre Of the south, reported
that regular service had been opened
to Richmond, Wilmington, Peters
burg, Newport News; Raleigh, Colum-
bia, Roanoke, Richmond, Charlotte,
Bristol, Danville and Asheville. Con-
densed reports were also moving to
Greensboro, Knoxville, Norfolk, Au-
gusta, Charleston, Atlanta, Savannah
ar Jacksonville.
Inough no demands had been made
recently by the men, the strike had
been foreS' Edowed.
General Manager Stone received
the first intimation early Sunday
night that the telegraphie force Of
the association was likely to formu-
late demands. These took shape later
that night and were put into the form
of a petition, which reached Mr.
Stone. Monday morning. The petition
was signed by many of the telegraph
operators of the Associated Press
throughout the country, and IN or1et
requested reduction in the hours OF
service and an increase Of wages.
During this afternoon Mr.. Stone
formulated his reply to the operators
which was as follows:
"New York, Aug. u.
"To Operators:
t'I have received this morning a
communication from a large number
Of the operators in the service OF
the Associated Press asking for a
changed scale of wages and hours. and
requesting a reply by 7.3O O'Clock
this evening.
"The changes involved are so radi-
cal in their nature as to add over
100000 a year, and probably more,
to the expense Of this organization
The Associated Press is mutual in its
character, makes no profits and has
no surplus fund out of which such a
sum could be paid. Any such in
crease must Of necessity be levied
back upon the newspapers as a part
Of their weekly assessments. AS gen
:eral manager. I have no power to
make such an increase either in sal
aries or assessments without author
ity from the board of directors, and
it is obviously impossible to call this
board together within the time named
The board consist Of Is members,
IL5 4l-o,,obo,f Tho onfiro on11n-