The Washington times., 1907-08-12
EXPECT POSTAL STRIKE;
OPERATORS AWAIT ORDERS
CONTINUED from First PageO

Estimates show that there are about
2l5 men employed by the Western Union
and Postal Companies in Washington
who will obey the strike order when
called. II is said that the operators
haLdling Press Association wires ana
Government operators will not be re-
quired 70 obey the general strike order
Conferences between the men were
many after the meeting, and during the
evening President Groves, of the local
union. and First international Vice
President Beattie were several times IN
communication with strike headquar-
ters IN Chicago by long distance tel
ephone Mr. Beattie was called up by
General Secretary-Treasurer Wesley
Russell. who IS directing the strike. and
was told tnat the situation was eX-
Ceedingly grave. President Small then
being en- route TO Chicago from the Pa
ciic coast.
Will Support Local Union.
Mr.. Russell is said to have also ip-
formed Mr.. BeatJie. that the national
body would support the local union IN
event a strike was called IN Washing
ton, for the reasons before stated Mr.
Russell also requested Vice President
Beattie TO ascertain the whereabouts
OF Labor Commissioner Charles p. Neil,
as the national officials wished 10 get
in communication with him
AS the evening progressed both Pres
ident Grove and Mr.. Beattie were IN
communication with New 4ork ana
other points. The nature of these con-
ft-rences was not made public
over 70 per cent of the operators here
hold union cards, IN addition 10 possibly
about thlrty-f1ve operators who have re-
tired, among the latter class being many
who are acting as correspondents for
out-of-town papers or who are employed
in the departments.
Will Embarrass Government.
That the strike will seriously eulbar-
rass the Federal Government is evident.
Operators are employed IN almost every
department and bureau In addition,
the crop and weather reports depend
almost entirely upon uninterrupted tele-
graphic service. Those in touch with
such matters fear that a general strike
here might seriously interfere with nav
igation at sea, especially as the hurri-
cane season on the Atlantic is approach
ing, and mariners depend a great deal
upon the Government reports as 10
weather conditions.
Already the Weather Bureau is feeling
the effects OF the strike IN other places.
the reports being delayed and in some
instances missing altogether. The in
reference with the crop report would,
trade IN general as New York prices on
wheat and other commodities OF like
nature are mainly dependent at this sea
son OF the year upon the reports OF the
Government as 10 frost and other con-
ditlOns.
Demand IS Per Cent Increase.
1t was brought out al the meeting yes
terday that the strike IN Washington
should not be considered by the men as
a sympathetic move, but that the union
Is demanding a 10 per cent increase IN
salary In addition TO the 10 per cent
granted some weeks ago. and that an
eIght-hour day Is demanded; also that
women operators should Re paid the
same scale as the men.
In explanation OF the demand for the
- per cent increase. II was said this
morning by President Groves that the
original demand Of the telegraphers was
for - pCr cent Increase IN salary, and
that they were only granted 10 per cent
ny the telegraph companies The ad-
GitiOnal Is per cent 3ow demanded is.
therefore, the original demand