New-York tribune., 1907-06-16
TRY TO AVOID STRIKE
BUSINESS MEN .fROtSED
.Isk President and Telegraph Com
panies to Auert Trouble.

The threat of a strike of the telegraphers
against the Western Union and Postal IeiesraPl
COM MES has stirred up the mercantile ih'eI
ests throughout the country. as troube ""ui"
lead 10 many complications in the transac''o'
Of business 4 feeling IS spreading that " -
.n the interest % every business man to urge
.e4,,er,ea- and the national executive commit
tee Of the Commercial Telegraphers Union re-
ceived word from its locals yesterday that boaros
of trade and other bodies were taking the mat
ter up.
The Chicago local informed the committee
that the Chicago Board of Trade had sent dis
patct 10 President Roosevelt requesting him 10
take steps 10 avoid the impending disastrous
Interference with legitimate business"
Messages Of a similar kind were sent from
boards of trade IN Toledo and other cities and
from representatives. of the New York Stock EX-
change 10 President Roosevelt. to President
Clovyry of the Western Union company and
President Mackay of the Postal company. The
committee said that Mr.. Ciowry had replied to
one of the messages that the Western Union
company had absolutely no disagreement with
its men.
@'The report being circulated by certain parties
not I'm the employ Of this company TO the effect
that the 10 per cent increase made on March l is
not being carried out in good faith. is absolutely
untrue in every particular said Mr.. Clowry
yesterday.
The officers Of the union said that in case Of
strike the call would be sent out in cipher This
step will not be taken, it is said, until every
possible means to bring about conference with
the officials OF the company has failed.
President c. w. Post OF the Citizens Indus
trial Association issued statement yesterday.
IN which he said
The effort of the Commercial Telegrap piers
Union TO induce the employers TO sign a closed
shop agreement is so opposed TO the Interests of
/ the public that every should resent IL.
This demand is made by union labor leaders in
Their open attempt to secure control of all af-
fairs through the union members by tying in
dustries up to the unions.
The employees have the right TO quit work
when dissatisfied, but any attempt 10 prevent
other men taking their places or any Of the
usual labor union disturbance. or any con-
spiracy in an effort TO stop the regular transac-
ton Of interstate business Will interest the Ma
subject viii be brought before any United States
district attorney within whose Jurisdiction this
combination 10 interrupt destroy Interstate
commerce becomes apparent.
The executive committee denied that the teleg-
raphers were trying to induce the companies to
sign closed shop agreement.
President Small said the men were still trying
10 gain their demands without strike The
suggestion that there would be a strike in Chi
cago was purely guesswork he said Chicago
Was not he said, considered nearly so vulnera bic
2 spot as New York Galveston when loss in
tolls was considered.
member Of the executive committee when
asked When the strike was likely take place
replied; We will keep the companies guessing
II may be week or it may be later In fact we
40 not know ourselves just now