The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-06-25
Two Hundred and Fifty Men Involved.
Dissatisfied With Letter Written by
President ClOwery to Commissioner
Neil-Insisted Upon Increase of 25
Per Cent. I'm Wage-Conpanies Re-
fused to Grant Demand.

a Francisco. June 21.-Strike-rid-
den San Francisco had another strike
added to the list this afternoon when
the $50 telegraph operators employed
In Oakland and San Francisco By the
Western Union and the Postal Tee
graph companies left their keys at $3.50
o'clock and walked out of the offices.
Three short blows on a police whistle
gave the signal and the operators rose
from the tables, put on their coats
and quit work.
The Postal and the Western Union
main San Francisco Offices are botn il
the Ferry building. Since the fire Of
1906, the main relay Office Of the West
ern Union has been at West Oakland,
where about $50 men and women are
employed, In the San Francisco Office
about twenty operators are employed
and at branch Offices about tweatv
more. The Postal company has sixty
operators in its main San Francisco
office. The operators in San Francisco
and Oakland were dissatisfieA with tile.
letter written by President Cbowery of
the Western Union to Labor COmulis-
sioner Neill as published yesterday
and insisted that their demands for
25 per cent. increase in wages he
granted. President Small, of the Com
mercial Telegraphers' Union arrived
yesterday and after considering the
ordered the strike unless; the
increase was granted. Beth the West
ern Union and the Postal declined to
grant the % per cent. increase or to
consult with the union. They express
ed willingness to consider any advance
asked by their employees as individuals
but this did not satisfy the men.
This strike is purely local and Wils@|
not affect eastern offices. President
Small Of the Commercial Telegraphers'
Union has Seen the statement issued
yesterday by President Clowery of the
Western Union Telegraph Company,
says that it will make no difference
so far Us the situation in San Fran
cisco is concerned.
President Small said that the settle
ment in the east was unsatisfactory.
out the situation in San Francisco
would be dealt with first.
The 25 per cent. increase demanded
or San Francisco operators would
nave to be granted as, in his opinion.
cost of living here is greater than
other portions Of the United States
Washington. June 21--When shown
the news from San Francisco that a
strike had coma into effect there<today
Commissioner of Labor Neill said he
could not understand the meaning of
the move. but as the strike was likely
to be confined to San Francisco AMI
Oakland he said that It did not appear
to affect the settlement arranged in
New York.
Washington, June 21-W. W. Beat
tie, vice president Of the Commercial
T~elegraphers Union, today sent a tel
agram to- E. J. Male, vice president
and general manager of the Postal
company, New York, urg-
ing him from a humanitarian stand
point to consider favorably the eight
hour day"
Mr.. Beattie, in his message, declar-
ed that the employees of the Washing
ton office feel that to be compelled to
work nine and a half hours during the
heated season is a most trying ordeal.
He also telegraphed President Small,
of the ~telegraphers union:
"The sentiment aL Washington is
intense against any compromise espe-
cially the eight hour day"