The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-09
OPERATORS QUIT
 IN CHICAGO OFFICE They Will Not Work With Non-
 Union Men GENERAL STRIKE FEARED If Matters Are Not Adjusted at Los Angeles, Telegraph Operators In
 All Large Cities of United
 States May Strike.
GENERAL STRIKE FEARED

Chicago August 9-The telegraph oper ators employed by the Western Union in Chicago went on strike tonight at F o'clock. The trouble was precipitated by the Los Angeles strike which was inaugu- rated two days ago.
 Tonight the local executive board of the Telegraphers' union met and passed res- olutons requiring the men to refuse to work with the non-unon operators em- ployed in Los Angeles. When the men were notified of this step, all operators employed in the overland division of the local office refused to work any longer with the non-union men on the other end of the wire.
 When this announcement was made Night Chief Harry Price ordered all who refused to work to leave the office. He then went into other divisions and re- quested the men to go into the overland division. In every case he was met with refusal until over seventy men had been sent home
 Demands Refused.
 The grievance committee of the union called on MT. Price and notified him that unless every man was reinstated by mid night every union man in the office would be called out. This demand was refused and promptly al midnight by pre-arrange- ment whistle vas blown, and every op- orator employed in the main office, with the exception of six wire and loop chiefs together with Night Manager Price and his two assistants left their keys, and with a round of cheers filed out of the office.
 The men employed by the company at the various morning newspapers had been notified of the contemplated strike and they also quit work
 The local officials of the union tonight state the day force employed by the com- pany, most of whom belong to the union, would refuse to go to work in the morn ing. This will include all branch offices throughout the city.
 Tries to Prevent Strike.
 The national officers of the union spent all day today in effort to prevent the rank and file Of the organization from taking matters into their hands and cal,- ing a strike The men for weeks have maintained a sullen attitude toward the company. The Chicago force was dissats- fled with the basis of the San Francisco settlement Ever since then they have been visiting the offices of Secretary Treasurer Russell, seeking information. Today his office was crowded from morn ing to night with operators looking for news regarding the progress of the peace negotiations in the west, but were given little satisfaction.
 'I am waiting to hear from President Small Until I hear further I can say nothing" he said.
 ba the men believe according to their own statements, that President Small sub mitted to defeat at San Francisco, was what prompted the executive board of the local union to take action tonight.
 Men Are Confident.
 It was undere these conditions that the strike was called, without the sanction of the national officials. After the men quit work Secretary Russell refused to talk about the controversy except to say that the men had taken matters in their own