The Washington herald., 1907-10-14
STRIKE VOTE TO-DAY
Local 0peratorSt Pass Upon
Small'S Suggestion,
RESULT HANGS IN BALANCE
Many photographers Declare UnwilI-
ingness to Return 10 work Under
Any CircumstaRees-sfOst Skilled
Ones Have Jobs EIseSvhere-May
Never Get Best Men Back.

The Washington striking telegrapheFs
viii vote at O'Clock this afternoon on
the question propounded yesterday by
President Small Of their union. as to
whether the present strike, SO far as they
are concerned. shall be continued or
ended.
At the headquarters OF the strikers yes
terday. a notice. signed by President
/ Groves. Of the local union, called upon
an members Of the order to be present
at that hour this afternoon, to cast their
ballots one way or the other. The vote
viii be cast IN regular form, each man
expressing his view In writing. and with
/ his own name attached thereto. Some
officer of the union, likely National Vice
/ President Beattie who Is Secl letary Of the
Washington local. or President Groves,
viii take care Of these bits Of paper that
may mean stay out or go back.
There are about go members In the
Washington local. but since about fifty
! Of these are now at work for railroad
companies or have gone into other busi-
ness. the vote TO be cast. will number
about 200 From the interest manifested
at headquarters last night. It Is evident
/ that the vote viii all be in by early even
ing, so that the result viii be known be-
fore the night has far progressed.
Favor Fighting Ii Out.
The sentiment among the strikers yes
terday was stronger than ever against
any weakening or any return 10 work
/ OF the great number who came drifting
into headquarters during the afternoon
there was not one who expressed. at
| least openly q wish 20 return 10 work
Mr.. Beattie. who seemed 10 voice the
views OF most Of the men. said that they
have so far stayed out two months; that
they are almost on the eve Of victory,
and that giving up now would be the
poorest sort Of policy
The strikers say that only a few days
more were necessary 10 bring the com
panies around 10 4 compromise. and feel
that the action OF locals throughout the
country. as reported to them. in dlsre-
garding the orders OF President Small.
is an indication that the same sentiment
OF staying out till the end Is not merely
local, but general
So far as could be learned, there has
been no rush Of striking operators 10
get positions with either Of the two COM
panies and most Of the strikers say that
no such rush Will be made, even II the
local union decides 10 return TO work.
Operators emit the Business.
Many Of the oldest and best operators
formerly In the employ Of the two com
panies, have sought other lines of work.
and are, il IS said, making more money
than they did when pounding keys. Many
Of the crack men in washington who
have not sought other kinds OF work.
viii not return for the wages given by
the two companies. even If the strike
falls to the ground.
Strikers kept coming into headquarters
all afternoon yesterday, and not a few
Of them voiced sentiments radically op-
posed to anything like giving up at this
/ stage Of the fight
President Groves said that he desires
every striker 10 vote, and hopes that
every one who does vote will express
himself against any yielding to the COM
oanies, unless some overtures. exhibiting
a desire upon the part of the latter to
compromise, are made.
Old men who We're in the strike OF 'S3.
when the operators lost, are as defiant
as ever. and swear in no uncertain terms
| that they, at least will not 20 back to
work under the present scale of wages or
without some advances from the two
companies
The local men say that financially they
are in good shape, and ii is known that
the regular strike benefits were paid in
this city on Saturday. They claim, too,
| that the many moves made in the last
few weeks, or about to be made by their
chiefs, are strong cards. and that they
would eventually have forced the com
panies 10 come "a terms.
Government Action to Go On.
Government proceedings already asked
for by the strikers. 1t is believed. cannot
In any way be affected by the attitude of
President Small or by the attitude Of
any local union. These proceedings. asked
for on the grounds that the two CONNER
cial companies are violating the law
cannot bee stopped by the action of the
union, unless they desire to withdraw the
charges and refuse to submit the evil
denCe they have collected.
Every one yesterday seemed TO be hope
ful, and many of the strikers declared
that as much light was discernible at
present as there ever has been in the
past. There is no discouragement among
the men, but there is a feeling that Presi-
dent Small is down and out, so far as the
telegraphers are concerned.
The local men say that if the reports
from New York are true, and a request
has been officially made to all locals. il
viii now become necessary to use all
means at their disposal TO fight the two
companies. That this means the fling OF
additional complaints, held by Vice Presi-
dent Beattie, and possibly the calling out
Of other operators not affected at present,
is probable. Until the meeting this after
noon. however its outcome may be pre-
dicted. there is no certainty as TO what
viii be done by the men In this city.