New-York tribune., 1907-06-21
NO TELEGRAPH STRIKE.
Mr.. NELL INTERVENES.
Western Union Grants Most of the
Demands Made by Operators.

missioner, who came here to investigate the
trouble. but also exerted himself quietly to bring
about peace The strike would It is believed. have
also affected the Postal Telegraph Company.
Though Mr.. Neil did not think matters had
reached the stage between the employees OF the
Postal company and its officials 10 justify his in
terventon conciltatory statement was issued by
Vice President Edward J. Nally Of the Postal
company. after the Western Union settlement was
announced. which made strike against the Postal
company unnecessary in the opinion of the union
officials.
The settlement with the Western Union Company
consisted in the acceptance ny Deputy President
Commercial photographers Union of propositions
made through a letter TO Mr.. Neill by Presi-
dent Clowry of the Western Urion Company. The
letter to the union leaders at noon In it
Colonel Clowry gave pledge that the 10 per cent
advance in wages 10 be made on March would be
made universal. extending to those the
waiting list. The sliding scale is he abolished
and there is to be discrimination against union
telegraphers There will also be a regular standard
of wages for all wires
In view of these concessions the telegraphers
waived the demand that the company furnish the
typewriters and the eight hour demand Deputy
President Konenkamp then informed President
Small. wlo had gone to San Francisco 10 take
charge of affairs there that the strike was off
The following the letter from Colonel Clowry
TO Commissioner Nei:
Referring to the conferences between yourself
and me and other officers of the Western Union
Telegraph Company. and having in view the posi-
BILE grave inconvenience to the public following
general interruption to our business, ! glad to
make clear TO you the position occupied by the
Western Union Telegraph Company in regard to
this whole matter
connected with this company that the 10 per cent
increase granted by the telegraph company on
March / last has not been applied 10 all saaried
telegraphers. desire to say that the telegraph
company announced this increase in good faith
and is carrying it out in good faith and that If
any case can be found in which the increase was
not granted it will be corrected at once
The statement also being made that the tele
graph company is endeavorng to neutr4lize the 10
advance hy the apnliCatIOn of n s0-CallHi
sliding scale is without foundation. There is
such practice in effect nor is there any intention
Of putting 1t into effect by the management OF this
company.
The standard salaries for regular positions
established by the increase of March will be
maintained and the company will pay to any
appointed or promoted 10 position the sals ~ at
tached TO that position after that increase and
viii pay 10 extra men the salaries in effect for
their work as OF March !, inclusive of the 10 per
cent increase.
This company has not Disseminated against.
nor will II discriminate against any employe OF
the company because OF ailiation OF -afiiation
with any organization. and if II he shown
rapher because OF niliation with any organization,
such telegrapher Will be restored to his position
without prejudice.
LAS evidence Of the absolute good faith ~ tho
western Union Telegraph Company In IT'S relations
TO It's employees. beg 10 say that If any telegra-
ph"r feels that he has any grievance under any Of
the foregoing conditions. and If cannot secure
satisfactory adjustment OF his complaint with the
officers of the company. we will submit tho matter
to the arbitration ~ three PARTIES TO he Sc
lected by the telcgra pher. ono bv the telegram
company and the third be elected by the two SO
chosen. and. in the event that the two cannot
agree upon third arbitrator within one week we
viii he worry glad 10 have such third arbitrator
chosen ny the chairman of the Interstate Com
merce Commission and the Commissioner OF Labor
acting Jointly
As further evidence Of our entire Willingness
20 dsa fairly and preserve amicable relations di-
rectiy with our own employees. any telesrapher
who at any time has grievance can take ~ I'M
with his superior. either in person or " he wishes
he ma erfnr
other employees Of this company IN the same dis
4 have outlined above in brief the Dosi,ior tho
Western Union Telegraph Company holds in re-
Gard 10 the matters We have discussed and YOU are
liberty 10 make any use OF this letter mat yo,
ht"
Vice President NaIly's statement follows:
Now that all Of the troubles of tho Western
Union Telegraph Company have been adjusted. I
wish 10 say for the Postal Telegraph Company
tnat tho statement that this company refused 10
consider requests or complaints from its employees
either individually or n committee is entirely
untrue. we have always been glad to meet anv Of
our employees and 10 consider any matter which
FOR Instance. our Chicago employees recently
made application for still further increase in
wages inasmuch as We increased the wages of
operators. chief operator and managers 10 per
cent on March l, and on April gave the chief
operators ar additional increase did not feel
justified in making still further increases. and
explained to them the reason. on June l l wrote
letter on that subject TO our general supernten-
dent in Chicago Mr. Capen. as follows:
" Please say To any Of the employees whose
names are signed TO the communication OF recent
date addressed 10 YOU and which you forward TO
me with your letter Of June that Unable
at this time To give favorable consideration 10
their request for shorter hours and increased
wages.
we have already done all that we can afford
to dove cannot in justice 10 the companys in
terests and with business prudence do more.
II in the list OF minor grievances submitted
there any that call for attention and consdera-
ton shall he glad 10 have your and Mr. Car
rolls recommendation TO what you think should
be done i'm each case. If there any rules in
force which may az times work a hardship upon
our employees should do utmost 10 remedy
them. Great should be exercised 10 prevent
the chiefs and others from unfair enforcement of
rules and regulation and from unjust discrmina-
tion and unkind treatment, OF the force
ut is the earnest desire Of the management that
all employees shall he treated with considera-
ton and proper effort be made 10 insure their
health and comfort
The propositions contained in the letter Of Pres-
dent Clowry followed number of conferences be
tween Commissioner Neill and Deputy President
Konenkamp. and between Mr. Neiil and President
Clowry. Mr.. Neill first found what the company
would TO and what the union would accept
and the letter of Colonel C1owry the result
The conferences with the representatives of the
telegrsp pliers were held at the Fifth Avenue Hotel
the City Club and the headquarters OF the Civic
Federation. No. 2Sl Fourth avenue. Ralph NJ
Easley, chairman Of the national executive COM
mIttee of the Civic Federation. and Herman Rob
inson. general organizer of the American Fedora
tion of Labor. from which the Commercial Teleg-
ra piers Union has n charter attended the confer
ences at the Mission Building. and Mr.. Robinson
was instrumental in bringing Mr.. Ne!l and the
telegraphe together.
we consider that we have won n victory" said
Deputy President Konenkamp last evening.
Though gave up two OF demands. the con-
cessions we gained are very important / must
say that both sides and the public indebted to
Mr. Neill, whose tactful management of affairs
brought about the settlement"