The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1907-08-14
STRIKE SITUATION BAD
Continued From Page One.)

Two great corporations, the eWstern
Union and Postal Telegraph compan
les. figuratively speaking, the pulse of
the business world, are engaged in d
bitter struggle with their thousands
of employees throughout the United
States. Not since the famous walkout
of the telegraphers in 1888, when al
most to a man every operator left
his key, have the telegraph companies
been confronted with a condition of
affairs such as now exist. In 1888
the operators last. This time the bal
ance appears to be in their favor
Conditions today are not what they
were % years ago. At the time OF
the tie-up in 1883 the public did not
depend upon the telegraph to the ex-
tent that a complete decentralization of
business occurred, although much in
convenience was felt in many dis
tricts.
In the present crisis the situation is
different. The rapid growth of the
country in the last two decades has
made the telegraph wire a necessary
adjunct. to quick dispatch of commu-
nications between every business firm
and individual in the United States
and Canada. The telegraph has kept
pace with the spirit of the times and
today network of wires extends
from every metropolis touching every
village and hamlet from the Atlantic
to the Pacific and from the Gulf to
of these wires has caused AMIDST a
total paralyzation of business. Stock
markets, brokers, grain exchanges,
merchants and the public in general
them almost back to the days when
stage coaches and one train a day were
the only means of conveying commu-
nications.
Struggle Began March l..
The struggle that is now engaging
officials and labor unions over the en-
tire country began March L. last, when
10 per cent advance in wages was
announced by both the Western Union
and Postal Telegraph companies. This
was made at a time when the Com
mercial Telegraphers' Union of Ameri-
ca was making great inroads among
the operators, securing hundreds of
members with view of presenting
their grievances to the telegraph COM
panies.
Immediately following the advance
March 1, the operators alleged that
the advance was not impartially given
and demand TO further concessions
was made which resulted in a strike
Western Union operators in Oakland
and San Francisco being called by
President Small, of the union, June 81.
Through the intercession of Commits
sioner Neill, of the United States de-
partment of labor, this strike was set
tied several weeks later
The telegraphers assert the compan-
les agreed to re-emplOy all striking
men without discrimination but the
companies allege they agreed to re-
employ the strikers only on conditions
satisfactory to themselves.
Operator Was Discharged.
Western Union operator was dis
charged at Los Angeles last week, the
cause being given as INSTRUMENTATION.
The entire Western Union force walk
ed out. Soon afterward the Los An
geles Postal forces Joined in the
movement. An effort to compel the
Chicago forces of both companies to
work with nonunion men at Los An
geles resulted in the Chicago offices
striking. Within three days the strike
has extended throughout the United
States and Canada, even to the Assoc
ciated Press men, who We're not ex.
pected to take an active part at least
not at present.