Evening star., 1907-08-19

The most important development IN the
te.egraphers' strike today was the an
nouncement by Samuel Gompers president
of the American Federation of Labor, this
afternoon that himself, with President
John Mitchell of the United Mine Workers
and President Daniel j. Keefe of the In
ternational Longshoremen's Union, had
been selected by President Small Of the
Commercial Telegraphers and other general
officers Of that organization to act as ar
bitrators, should arbitration be resorted to,
on behalf of the striking operators.
In this connection there was an interest
ing report that President Small, who Is
now said to be speeding eastward from
Chicago, the erstwhile storm center of the
big strike. will in few days visit Wash.
ington and hold an important conference
with Mr.. Gompers, John Mitchell and Mr.
keefe.
1t was the belief OF one Of the officers
Of the local telegraphers' union that
President Small will come to Washington
after short stay in New York to
straighten out certain matters there.
Referring to the selection OF himself
and the other officers of the American
Federation OF Labor to act as arbitrators
in the telegraph contest, Mr.. Gompers
said to a representative of The Star:
We have been intrusted with an at
tempt to secure an honorable adjustment
with the telegraph companies when the
opportune moment arrives This NAV be
in an hour or in a week, or it may never
come.
Sympathy of Delegates.
Mr.. Gompers denied that he had hurried
to Washington. as published in order to
begin the work OF arbitration with Labor
Commissioner Netli er any one else. He
said his mission 70 Chicago was ended and
he came back In time to preside over the
sessions of the executive council of the
American Federation of Labor, as he is the
presiding officer OF that body which is
sometimes referred 10 as President Com
pers' cabinet
1t is understood that the other members
of the council who represent large inter-
national Cnd national bodies of organized
workingmen are in hearty accord with the
striking telegraphers and their cause and
It was said they stand ready to back the
movement with their full moral and finan-
cial support.
International Vice President Beattie gave
it as his opinion that the telegra piers will
win and that arbitration Will not be neces-
sary.
He said II It was resorted to Messrs.
Gompers. Mitchell and keefe would be an
ideal arbitration board.
A Walking Telegram.
Sam De Nedrey secretary of the Central
Labor Union, stated today that an officer
Of Columbia Tvpogra phical Union sent a
telegram to Norfolk. Va. last Monday via
the Postal company and II was not received
there until last Sa turday.
That dispatch must have walked to Nor
folk was Mr. De Nedrey's comment.
The local managers of the Postal and
Western Union companies today reported
that they had full forces of operators at
ba Eav heir off
with neatness and dispatch"
The pickets of the strikers reported this
afternoon that but few strlkebreakers are
arriving and they are being headed off,
and converted to unionsm''
Praise for Woman Operators.
The woman operators who have remained
loyal to the cause of the Commercial Teleg-
raphers' Union In the present strike crisis
were lauded by their brethren of the dot
and the dash fraternity at an open meeting
under the auspices of the local strike COM
mittee yesterday afternoon. Typoeraphi-
cal Temple, where the meeting was held
was filled to its capacity by the friends
and well-wishers of the men of the key
and sounder.
In the audience were about TWENTY-FIVE
of the woman teiesraphers. who are said
to be standing out bravely for the Just
of the local union of telegraphers referred
to the sister operators as an inspiration to
the men. He intimated that If their pretty
and smiling faces were combined IN the
face of one composite picture, the most
idealistic painting of Venus, the sun-kissed
Goddess Of Love would fade away into OBJ
scurfty.
The contingent OF ladies who derive a
livelihood from the mystic and metallic
language OF the dot and the dash were
daintily attired in blue dresses, pink dresses
and white dresses. Besides their good looks
and neat appearance. the chief asset of
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