Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-14
GENERAL STRIKE
ORDER IS AWAITED
BY TELEGRAP HERS
Everything Now Depends on
President Small.
HE REACHES CHICAGO TODAY
Radical Action Is Counseled by
Younger Men.
LEADERS ARE HOLDING BACK
John Mitchell and Samuel Gompers
Are Opposed to Anything Like
a Precipitate Course.
ARE HOLDING BACK

l. mere Will De a conference OF the
labor leaders at Chicago this after
noon to decide whether or not the
telegraphers' strike shall be made
general. President Small of the
Telegraphers' Union arrives this
afternoon, and he will at once 60
into session with the other union
officials. 1t is known that John
Mitchell and Samuel Gompers are
opposed to making the strike gen.
eral, but there is an almost over
whelming sentiment in favor of this
course among the men. Should a
general strike be declared, it will
call from the key every telegraph
operator in the United States and
Canada, except few leased wire
men. The paralysis of business
that would result from anything
like general tieup of telegraph and
train service can be imagined. Up
to date the railway telegraphers
have stuck to their posts and
showed no inclination to strike.
But the commercial operators insist
that the railroad men are with them
and that in the last analysis they
will be found answering the general
summons to quit work.
Special Dispatch to The Star.
CHICAGO, August IA settlement of
the strike of the telegraph operators now
rests almost solely in the hands of Presi-
dent Samuel ]. Small of the Commercial
Photographers Union, who is scheduled to
reach Chicago from San Francisco at 1870
O'Clock today.
Immediately after his arrival the ma
tional executive committee OF the union will
go into session and upon it's decision hangs
the fate Of peace. Because of divided senti-
ment long and stormy session is expected,
and it is probable that the committee will
not conclude its deliberations until late this
afternoon. 1t is the belief in the city today
that the general strike order is a certainty.
In fact, its issuance yesterday was held
back only out of courtesy to the union presi-
dent.
With all efforts of Commissioner NELL
spurned by the Chicago strikers and with
a general strike retroactively legalized yes
terday though not officially declared, it
Will take but a word from Mr.. Small 10
bring about a general walkout today.
The Chicago local confidently predicts
tie-up Of every key, with the exception of
a few leased wires in the United States
and Canada. On the other hand, If Presl-
dent Small gives heed to the counsel Of
sarnuei Gompers OF the American Fedora
ton of Labor and John Mitchell of the
United Mine Workers and checks further
walk -out. a lull in the fight will have been
created during which time negotiations can
be started and peace, perhaps, secured Ii
he sides with the radical element of the
striking key-men or advocates the hot
headed policy Of the local executive COM
mittee the strike Of operators will jump
suddenly to overwhelming proportions and
perhaps invoke the already restless rail-
road operators. which would mean tie
ny of practically every railroad in the
country. This Is the situation in the tele-
graph operators strike in Chicago, the
center Of action today.