The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-08-12
GRIEF WAITS ON STRIKE.
Death Tidings Refused by Operators
and MOurners Depart i'm Despair.

Chicago, Aug. 12.-Death tidings
summons to anxious friends, marriage
| announcements and news of the baby's
birth sounded alike Saturday to the
| telegraph operators on strike.
There was no discrimination made by
the men and women who have been
wont to tap the keys with news of
warning, happiness or sorrow. Upon
deaf ears fell alike the pleas of grief
stricken relatives and the demands of
disappointed spectators.
Il am sorry, we can do nothing for
you" was a frequent response made
by the operators in the substations. in
the hotels and in the business blocks
as they wound up their affairs prepar-
atory to joining the strike.
Weeping girls and women and anxi-
Gus men sought to jam through mes
sages which meant that the sender was
on his way to the bedside of dying
must take the next train to Chicago
for last word or a final look at the
face of loved one, but without avail.
Tragic Message Refused.
Before the Postal office closed at the
Sherman House because of the strike
woman wrote this message;
Mother:-Fred is very low and can
not live very long He is calling for
You. Come at once.-Kate."
Kate was the sister of the young
man. Miss Margaret Weber was the
operator about to go on strike and was
checking up her accounts.
Miss Weber was unable to tighten the
grief of the sister, who pleaded that
mother must reach here tonight if she
wants to see Fred alive, and he wants
her so badly
Miss Weber explained the situation
and also told her that the Postal lines
did not connect with the town desired.
A long-distance telephone failed to give
the proper connections.
Miss Adelaide Sohlen. who Joined
the strike from her post at the Great
Northern hotel, was confronted with
the proposition that her failure to for
ward a message for a st. Louis man
would cost him 100000.
Pleas Have No Effect.
'I have an option which expires at
he cried2 franticalIy. You
st. Louis party until ? O'Clock by long
distance telephone. If this continues
for two days will be a ruined man."
Miss Sohlen was unable to do any
thing for the man. and left him be-
wailing his fate.
Miss Blanche Colson left her desk in
the Royal Trust building surrounded
by anxious would-be customers of the
Union. who had a sheaf of
cablegrams written out, as did Miss
Edith Johnson of the Postal office at
and Adams streets. The branch
offices of both the Western Union and
Postal offices were closed all over the
city.
Miss Ella Flynn was ordered by the
Western Union to come into the main
office from the Sherman house. AL
though she is a nonunion operator,
she refused and was Immediately dis
by wire. The union. it is re-
ported. will take care of her.
In the disrupted conditions which |
exist criminals over the country are |
skipping about with glee. 1t is diff |
cult for the various police departments |
to keep up communication under ex- |
stin~ circumstances. and men who are |
desirious of putting long distances be- |
tween themselves and Chicago are |
taking advantage of the chance.
Messengers in High Glee.
Beyond the reach of the policemen. |
the striking messenger boys held car
nival yesterday in the vicinity of the |
main offices of the companies. Mock |
mass meetings were addressed by !
strike leaders and enthusiasm was
generated until it brought on the on
slaughts of the police. New boys were
broken In during the day in punches, /
he labor of breaking in adding to the |
1iscomforts of the telegraph officials.
Up in the Western Union building is
restaurant, wont to appease the APP
oetites of the operators now on strike.
Two price lists are reported TO be in
service at the restaurant. which Is
by a former operator. The
Usual rates are for those of the "old
boys" who can pass the police Gordon.
The revised and doubled rates are for
he benefit of the strike breakers en-
oloyed in the building.