New-York tribune., 1907-08-27
MAY LAST SIX MONTHS.
Small Says Operators Strike WW
Be Long One.

r,,a oA7cars of Local No 1s Of the Commercial
Telee-aphers' Union had long conference yester-
day with President Small Of the national oreana1d-
ton at the Astor House, during which plans WEI .
prepared for carrying out tho local Campaign oi
the striking telegraphers Reports were mace thaI
notwithstanding statements made by the OFFICIALS
of the Western Union and Postal companies thae
they were doing normal business. matters were
in bad condition In the offices OF both companies
II was said all messages were delayed, CONFUSION
reigned in the main Offices and many OF the
telegraphers at work not used TO tne slfaih "eIo
ready to collapse from overwork.
President Small said that the strike might from
the present outlook. last for six months but IL II
lasted that long Congress was likely to take the
matter up In the interest Of the business OF the
country
Arbitration was out of the question now. he said
but when the proper time and arbitration on
a fair basis proposed the telesrsphers would
be ready to do business.
One of the reports which came to the head
quarters that the officials OF the Western
Union Company were considering the proposition
of sending out fake telegram all over tho country
over the signature Of President Small declaring the
strike off. The telegraphers said this plan would
not work. as strike could not be declared off e1-
cept through code message Small changes the
code every day, It said
Superintendent Belvidere Brooks of the Western
Union Company said yesterday that there was
nothing the stories that the strike breakers were
worked than their capacity
I'VE would on account have any dealings
with Small Gompers or Mitchell or any other
labor leader" said Mr.. Brooks. when the general
walkout. such II was, took place. the strike was
ended there and then. Small did good turn
by starting up the trouble although he did not
to. the situation Will be cleared up so
effectualy that will be sure of peace for a
number of years. The operators when they walked
out ceased to be employees. and there is nobody
10 rbf wit there anything
arbitrate.
THE strikers can only come back
ployes applying individually IL there any vacan
ces for them When the letter of PI esdent Clowry
of the Western Union Company to United States
Commissioner Neill received the national ex-
ecutive committee of the union accepted 1t as a
settlement, and l know that the day before Small
ordered the strike in San Francisco the committee
wired the substance OF the agreement TO him.
believed the agreement would be broken by the
teiegraphers. later. but did not believe
# would be SOON"
Mr.. Brooks said the report that the company was
considering the question Of sending out bogus
telegram the signature of Small unworthy
serious discussion.
He then referred to the speech of Mrs Rose
Pastor Stokes at the meeting of the strikers
in Everett Hall Sunday. He said he understood
Mrs. Stokes estiTnable and charitable
woman who took great interest in the workers OF
the East Side. but she was not an authority on
telegraphy.
President Small gave out a statement at the Astor
House last night. in which he said that strikes Of
strike breakers were being planned IN all drec
tions.
Last week called strike OF strike break
ers in Chicago. involving eighteen men in the
Western Union offices nnd twelve in the Postal
Offices" ne said. Altogether there about two
thousand strike breakers at work throughout the
country. but expect 10 reduce this number.
One way in which their number will be reduced
will be their inability to stand the physical strain
Of the work put them If the strike lasts
expect there Will be federal investigation of tee
graph Offices. which Will be followed by federal
supervision