Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-17
MAKE APPEAL FOR AID
Commercial TeIegraphers Call
Upon Organized Labor.
MUST HAVE ASSISTANCE
Demand Endorsed by President Com
pers of American Federation.
LOCALS CONFIDENT OF SUCCESS
Declare That the Companies Are
Transmitting Messages by Mail.
Inconsistency Alleged.
LOCALS CONFIDENT OF SUCCESS

President S. J. Small of the Commercial
Photographers Union was in this city Sun
day evening, it has been learned, and held
long conference with President Gompers,
of the American Federation of Labor and
others in relation to the present strike of
the keymen. AS result of the confer
ence the promised appeal to organized
labor throughout the United States and
Canada for financial assistance for the
striking teiegraphers was formulated, and
today copies of the appeal were sent broad
cast to the hosts of labor.
The appeal is prefaced by the call OF
President Small. in which he states the
Commercial Telegraphers' Union of Ameri-
ca is engaged in tremendous struggle
with the Western Union and Postal Tele-
graph companies and the Associated Press.
This fight" he says. was not of our
seeking. but came Il result of a lack OF
good faith on the part of the employers In
negotiations with our representatives
over so per cent of the commercial
telegraphers are on strike. and over 80
per cent of those directly employed by the
two companies and the Associated Press.
Our members reported to the strike call
unanimously. and 80 per cent of those
telegraphers who were not members
Demands of the Strikers.
1--WE are contending for principles vital
to every trades unionist, and we believe a
defeat for would be setback to the
entire labor movement.
Our demands are: An eight-hour day;
equal pay for equal work by men or
women; Il per cent increase; that the
companies furnish typewriterS-
I've are now in the fifth week of this
struggle and sooner or later victory may
depend on our ability to give financial as
sistance to the strikers. Our treasury con-
tanned creditable amount at the begin
ming of this trouble. but the drain has
already proved heavy one.
1T comes to us from reliable sources
that the board of directors of the Western
Union. at their meeting a week ago. de-
cided to continue the fight for u limited
time. long as the public Will toler-
ate the demoralized condition in which the
telegraph service of the country is now in
Feeling that we cannot with honor to our
selves and in justice to our fellow workers
and those in sympathy with the trade
union movement surrender TO the tele-
graph trust we make this appeal for finan-
cial asssta nce, in order that we may care
for our members while the strike lasts
Our fight is won now so far as the sucking
of our membership is concerned. but we
must have outside assistance in order TO
win
Appeal Is Endorsed.
Then under the signatures Of Samuel
Gompers, president and Frank Morrison
secretary of the A. F. L., the following Is
addressed to organized labor everywhere:
THE appeal of the Commercial Teieg-
raphers' Union for financial assistance has
the full Endorsement and approval of the
executive council of the American Fedora
ton of Labor.
'Reaiizing the tremendous Importance
and the vast interests involved. the execu-
tive council rendered its good offices to
both the organization and the companies
The organization accepted the oner, potn
the companies Spurned IT. 1t Ii evidently
the policy and hope of the companies 10
not only crush the telegraphe organiza-
ton but their spirit and aspiration Tor a
brighter and better day. While We do not
aim at the humiliation of the companies,
yet labor and it's friends cannot permit the
men being ridden over roughshod
IAN honorable adjustment OF the contest
can be attained If the companies under
stand that the telegraphers cannot be
starved into an unconditional SURRENDER.
To accomplish this purpose labor must
come to the financial assistance or the
teegraphers.
Conditions Discussed.
At local headquarters of the striking
commercial telegraphers confidence in the
ultimate success OF their efforts Is ex-
pressed Despite the denials, 1t is as
serted the companies are unable to handle
the business presented to them. Union OFF,
Gals declare that kilograms are received
by the companies and mailed to their desti-
nation. This procedure Is regarded by
union men as fit cause for interference on
the part of the proper authorities. There
exists. it is said. much dissatisfaction
among newspaper correspondents as to the
way their specials are being handled: Press
dispatches are. 1t Is said. filed with the
telegraph companies, which subsequent
" returned with the notation, Cant raise
or mo chance to get through" This delay
it is contended. has necessitated the prac-
tiCe among newspaper correspondents Of
sending urgent news by mail.
The comp anieS. II Is said send patches or
kilograms by mail in punches or by ex-
press in dress suit cases, to be distributed
after reaching destination. This practice,
the union officials claim, is an outrage
upon the public. The union officials claim
the local offices are compelled to use their
managers at the key to get off the business.
wife of one of the local managers has been
pressed into service.
Allege Inconsistency.
The mere fact that non un on men are
receiving more than the union men de-
mand it is said. proves that the companies
are simply unjust and inconsistent. Fur
Their it is claimed that the companies are
deceiving the public when they claim they
cannot grant the increase asked, when they
are already giving non-union men double
pay, board transportation, etc.
Local strikers are cheerful and confident
that the board of directors of the two
companies will not tolerate much longer
the misguided zeal of it's officials.