Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1907-08-22
Click Men From Coast to Coast
Desert Their Keys; Busi-
ness Suffer.
SITUATION GROWS DARK
American Federation Of Labor Prob
ably Behind the Movement
Trouble Extends to
Printers.

va
point Of the employees OF the teleg-
raphers the strike situation last night
was declared to be improved consid-
crably and steadily improving. The Of
ficials OF both the Western Union and
the Postal announced themselves to be
more than satisfied with the progress
that has been made during the day
and in the early hours OF the night
toward the restoration of wire COM
m%un1cation throughout the country.
1T is now not SO much a question
of restoring communication" declared
one official, las it Is OF re-establishing
normal conditions"
The officials were frank to admit
that some surprise was occasioned by
the action of their operators In add
tional cities going out, but declared
that none of the day strikes left then
with an entirely crippled force.
Enough men have remained in ev-
cry Office they said. Ito nable us to
handle all ordinary traffic and to at
tend to the technical and Administered
i've ends of the business"
These statements on behalf of the
companies were declared to be based
on reports from all over the country
anu CIV " W N'>
in the general offices In New York.
Telesraphers Express Confidence.
The officials of the telegraphers'
union. on the other hand. expressed
confidence and satisfaction with the
progress of the strike. They pointed
to the cities In which a number OF op-
orators of both the big companies had
left their keys and predicted that their
example would influence other offices in
which tho mon ho vo hoan wa VprinR TO
Join the ranks OF the strikers.
AS far as the situation in New York
is concerned. but two new features de-
veloped yesterday. One was a meet
ing of the Wall street chapel OF the
Commercial T~elegraphers' union. at
which 1T was decided to present to their
employers a demand for a contract for
a minimum weekly wage scale OF $50.
The Wall street chapel has about 500
members. all men who operate brokers'
leased wires In his and nearby cities.
The present contract to run for one
year, but no time is set for its sigma
ture.
Mediator Would Help.
Another was an offer by A. j. Rea-
gan. state mediator of the department
of labor of the state Of New York. to
lend his good offices to bring about a
settlement. Mr.. Reagan called on the
officials of the companies. General
Superintendent Brooks. of the West
ern Union. declared his company had
of the Postal. made practically the
same reply. George F. Ahearn. pres
ident Of the local union, said thai he
had told Mr.. Reagon the operators
were perfectly willing to submit their
case to sincere arbitration" n would
readily appoint a man to act for them
II the companies would do the same.
Thus far the employers have. however,
given no indication hat they will do
SO. and maintain the position that so
far as their men are concerned there
is nothing to arbitrate.
Twenty-six More Out.
T. Percy Thomas. deputy national
president of the telegraphers' union.
said: "Twenty-six cities in he United
States and canada struck yesterday.
The situation last night was satisfac-
tory in every way to the national Of
~f1cers."
Chicago. Aug. 14.-With the Western
Union and Postal Telegraph employees
out in practically every big city OF
the country and in many of the small
er ones. the strike situation this after
noon is rapidly growing darker. Many
lines Of business are feeling the loss
of wire service keenly. and trade from
coast to coast bids fair TO be badly
tIiPii-1 OSAOtS stIlOtiiGI IOTly .eIknl
hours.
Bell and independent telephone con-
panies throughout the country are
overtaxed II cannot begin TO keep
up with the business demanded.
A ray of hope Is offered in the move
started here to get the national gov
nmen to temporarily at least take
over the telegraph business.
Labor Commissioner NELL and Secre-
tary Easley of the National Civic Fed
GRAFTON arrived In the city about mid
day.
General Secretary Russell has sent
out the following bulletin:
ITO All Locals On Strike-Stand firm
and d no circumstance return to
work until officially sanctioned. Pres
ident Small n the executive board
will meet here Wednesday night. All
points are solid as a rock. Many union
contracts are being signed by brokers
and press associations. Chicago Is
absolutely closed up. No strike break
trary Notwithstanding. We have the
battle on"
An Eager Young Striker.
Omaha. Neb.. Aug. 13.-One messen-
ger boy in the employ of the Associated
Press didn't propose to work a minute
longer han the telegraphers stayed at
their posts. AS soon as the keys quit
clicking he called up one OF the local
papers and said:
Say. there's some cop over here for
you fellows. IL you want 1t. come and
get It."
At no point in the west is the tele-
graphers' strike OF more Importance
tlan in Omaha. Forming a gateway
TO the Pacific coast for both Of the
On this city was Of greater effect on