New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-20
W. i. STRIKE THREAT.
Photographers Put GrieUances in
Hands of ErccutiUe Committee.

general strike within week ten days IS
threatened by the Commercial Telegraphers'
Union OF America against the Western Union Com
pany to force the doing away with several alleged
grievances. The officers OF the union say that the
10 per cent advance which the company promised
give March l has been given 10 less than 80
per cent OF the teegraphers and they say that the
company must keep its promise or there will be a
strike. The strike may be followed by a sympa-
thetlc strike Of the Postal Telegraph Company's
employees. and altogether 500 may be in
volved.
An indignation meeting OF men and women teleg-
raphers employed by the company held yes
terday afternoon in Arlington Hall. No. 70 St
Marks Place. S. ]. Small national president OF
the union. said before the meeting that the men
and women who wear union buttons We're discrnl-
mated against in every way
They are arbitrarily removed" he said. from
good places comparatively. to positions whore they
earn in some less than one-half OF what they
were getting. This nu1es any effect of the in
crease in wages. Five and four women who
have made their complaints 70 The company with
out any redress discharged simply for be-
longing to the union
AS result of the meeting. which filed the hall
the national executive committee of tho union will
meet In this city on Thursday and decide on what
steps are TO be taken II said that 4 strike
might DO ordered week later unless the griev-
ances are remedied and all the men and women
discharged for belonging to the union renstated-
The meeting yesterday was opened by President
Sohh Joseph Il. Ahearn or Local No. 16, Of this
city, who described the grievances. He said that
all complaints had been ignored by the company
l.. s. Heller who was introduced as one OF the
nine union members discharged. addressed the
meeting. The officials OF the company he said
had a list OF union men and women and had given
orders that none OF the employees should join the
union.
This only caused a rush of applicants to tho
union. he said. and the Barclay street depart-
ment Joined the union in body. Union buttons
were worn everywhere"
Several speakers said that Colonel CIowry tho
general manager. had paid no attention at all to
any appeals. a series OF long resolutions was
passed indorsing the action of members who
Thomas Nj. Brennan "a hireng OF the masters
of an unworthy company" They called for Ax-
pressions OF the views of telegraphers throushout
the country regarding the apprentice system
me resolutions also denounced the alleged limit
ing or the wage increase to a little more than one
hair or the telegraphers, while. IL was said the
tolls were increased The introduction of the slid
Ing scale and split trick systems was denounced
Members OF the union in every part Of the country
We're called on to strengthen their organization
II was said that the Commercial Telegraphers'
Union stood ready TO take sympathetic action
Some of the speakers said that Colonel CioU,rv
had received petitions asking for the reinstatement
or the nine men and women who were DISCHARGED
and the redress of other grievances but had Dafd
no attention to them. f