The Washington herald., 1907-10-13

New York. Oct 12-The great strike
Of commercial telegraphers which has
lasted for nearly ten weeks and tied up
business in many parts of the country
viii probably be voted off by the oper-
ators tomorrow or Monday.
An order to all local unions to vote
on the subject of calling of the strike
was sent out by President Small. Of the
Commercial Operators Union, to-day.
President Small tonight confirmed
report TO this effect. He contented him
self with saying such an order had been
sent out, but declined to discuss the
matter further. He would not say
whether OF not the executive board OF
the union had authorized the submission
Of the question to the locals.
At the union headquarters it WIS stated
the vote Of locals will probably be taken
tomorrow. as all the unions hold meet
ings on Sunday. The result may be
known by the national officers tomorrow
night If the vote favors calling OF
of the strike this action will follow.
Lack of funds to carry on the fight
against the Western Union and Postal
companies longer is believed to have
caused the calling Of the vote. II the
strike is voted of, it means the op-
orators have lost. The resources of the
companies. it is believed. proved too
much for the union. which entered upon
the strike without great preparation for
the struggle.
Union Weakness shown.
Operators to whom the news of the
order for vote became known tonight
expressed the opinion however. that their
cause is by no means a lost one. The
union viii be preserved. they say,
strengthened. and in the future may hope
TO test conclusions with the companies
with better prospects Of success. The
present strike has shown the weaknesses
OF the union. These viii be overcome and
the union placed on a basis 10 protect its
interests mere enectuaIly In TIE future
The first news Of the order for a vote
came from operators who had heard that
The New York union viii vote tomorrow
President Small was seen at the AstOr
House. here. AT headquarters
You may say that I confirm the report
that a vote Of the locals has been order
ed. he said. The order was sent out
to-day That is all I have TO say about
the matter" To all other questions he
declined 10 give answers. After seeing
reporters. Small locked the door Of his
room. turned out the lights, and announced
he was going to bed.
officials Are Reticent.
Other officers of the union who could
be found were equally as reticent about
to-day's order as Small Small explained
his unwillingness to say anything more.
was because he did not wish TO influence
the vote of locals in any way.
About the telegraph headquarters the
general view expressed was that the
vote of locals VIII favor a calling off Of
the strike. The fact that the question
has been put TO them IS an indication. il
is pointed out that the national officers
believe it is useless to continue the fight
Whether the order to vote explains the
reasons for the move or gives state
ment of the financial standing of the
union could not be learned tonight.
These matters are expected 10 be ex-
planned TO members Of the larger unions
at to-morrow's meetings when the vote
will be taken.
Many Expect 10 Go Back.
BY calling off the strike now. operators
here profess to believe much viii be saved
to the operators who left their keys It is
believed the companies will take back
the majority OF the strikers and on the
old terms Of employment. With the in
creased business OF the companies ex-
pected to follow the calling off Of the
strike. it is explained, many operators
viii be needed.
The strike in New York began on Au-
gust p. when the men in the Western
Union and Postal Offices left their keys
at a whistle signal The strike had really
been precipitated, however, by the ac-
ton of Chicago operators in walking out
several nights previously when asked to
work with nonunion operators in Cali
fornia offices, where the union men had
left their keys because of local difficult
ties.
President Small was in California try
ing to adjust differences when this oc-
CURED. he sanctioned the WalkOutS, and
the executive board likewise approved
them. The general strike order followed.
The number of men who obeyed the
order did not come up TO expectations in
some Of the larger cities. In the South
and West the tie-up was worse. and in
many sections hardly a message has been
transmitted since the strike was called.
other Officers Bitter.
officers and members of the New
York local are bitter against President
Small His action, they say, amounts
TO calling of the strike While the
call was sent all over the country. 1t
was not given to the local here. Small
eontented himself with asking the Of
fcers to secure a large attendance at
to-morrow's meeting. saying he would
have an important announcement to
make then.
Such is the temper of the men that
hot fight will doubtless result at to-
morrow's meeting. Some members
openly asserted that the union will
vote down Small's proposition.
Local men are the most bitter be-
cause, they declare, the strike was
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