The San Francisco call., 1907-06-27

lftuA Atf4i AClS u AAt SALlAAAAAS
cial telegraphers yesterday and the
rank and file of the union, as well as
the executive officers. were unanimous
in declaring full faith in ultimate VIC
tory. The men asserted that the teie-
graph companies were still badly Grip
pied that every makeshift was being
adopted TO care FOR the most important
business ano that hundreds OF mes
ssges were piling up daily at the ming
Offices
The strikers declared that at best
any ability Of the companies 10 get
their lines into operation could be but
a matter OF temporary success, as II
was necessary TO draw men from other
points 10 I'll positions. and that such a
policy resulted in weakening service 10
the extent that reserves could be kept
81 work bst a short time.
Rumors were current about the
strikers headquarters yesterday that
the telegraphers in Chicago and other
large cities were TO be called out, but
this was positively denied by President
Small al the headquarters In Oakland.
Small reiterated his former statements
that Il was the desire of the union
of1cfsts 10 prevent a general strike, but
that If fl was found necessary to call
out the men at other points no hint Of
such intention would be given until the
order calling the men out was actually
transmitted.
Interest was manifested about the
Oakland headquarters concerning the
report published yesterday that Strike
Breaker Powellson, who is to the
telegraphers' union what James Farley
is to the Garments union. had left Los
Angeles for Oakland. Powellson, who
is said TO have participated in the re-
cent trouble in Houston, Tex, is de-
scribed as a gun fighter as well as an
expert on the key and the typewriter.
PTCKETS ARE DISPERSED
PiclSets were ordered not to congre-
gate in the nave Of the ferry building
Yesterday. Instead OF Is or 20 men
the force or sentinels was reduced TO
two. and these removed the buttons
from the lapels OF their coats. There
viii be no more white and blue insig
Mas Of the union seen in the ferry. ex
cept as the men pass through on their
WAY to or from the headquarters in
Oakland.
The harbor commissioners gave in
structions that the men of the union
were not TO be allowed to gather in
the building. tt was true that no act
Of violence was attempted nor contem-
plated, but the order was issued and
the patrolmen of the state police
warned the pickets off the premises.
The first check was received by the
union yesterday from the national
headquarters. II was for $1,000 and
with it came word that there would lie
another one sent for perhaps a larger
sum each week until the strike was de-
clared off The money is placed at the
disposal of the operators who are out
on strike. There is no formality to be
gone through, says President S. 7.
Small, who is handling the strike. Any
operator who needs money can get II.
s W. Swain, traffic chief. had an
operator in Los Angeles lifted" yes
terday because he "sent" too fast
Swain has been filing an official post
ton for some time and was placed back
at the key when the strike was de-
clared. The union telegraphers tell
with much enjoyment how a brother
member in Los Angeles. knowing he
was sending to an operator who had
forgotten much that he used to know
and was sadly out of practice, pasted"
him. He sent so fast that the official
had TO cry for mercy. The operator in
Los Angeles was stubborn. however,
and kept on sending so rapidly that he
was ordered off the key. or lifted"
and another, not so quick, finished the
messages TO the San Francisco official
Quarters for the pickets were estab-
lished yesterday on this side of the bay.
land, but for the convenience of the
men doing picket duty in San Fran
cisco an Office was rented at East
street 1t viii be in charge OF c. w.
OFT, who is under Chairman Allen, the
strike manager on this side.
Much comment was made yesterday
by the union telegraphers about the ac-
tion of Mrs. J. Y. O'Brien, the bride of
the city manager of the Postal She
"a xFFo rArAnfIu
She was formerly a "Wheatstone'
operator. that is, she worked at a
ticker taking the messages from the
tape The fact that she was the re-
cipient of a handsome silver set a few
weeks ago when she was married to
the city manager was the subject of
the adverse comment Some of the
union men think she should not have
gone TO work again, but others say
that the wedding ties were union bonds
after ali.
Offcials of the Western Union and
Postal companies claimed yesterday
that the work was caught up with and
that there was no delay in getting
their business on the. wires. The West
ern Union continues 20 send its tele-
grams across the bay by messenger for
wiring at the Oakland mole. Both COM
psnies declare they are taking more
operators on every day and that they
arc suffering no serious discomfort on
account Of the strike.
SMALL'S STATEMENT
At the meeting Of the telegraphers at
Sunset hail in Oakland yesterday
morning President S. J. Small gave out
the following statement:
] am hopeful the present strike win not be
prolonged. We are very anxious TO avoid any
kind Of trouble but when forced to IT we will
ri IfFF hat Nc IL -
the two telegraph companies refuse to meet
their operators in order TO adjust the diferene s
now existing there Is no doubt IN the world tha I
the struggle VIII continue until we can force A
government investigation. The people of this
country. and particularly those in California
are not In mood to tolerate ''strong arm
methods. We claim that the telegraph com
psnies are using strong methods to in
crease their earnings.
When they tax the public 20 20 30 per cent
creasing OF the employee wages they are in
feet double crossing those same employees for
the 10 per cent increase promised them last
March has not materfalized.
We are willing and anxious to DO anything
in reason 70 adjust the present trouble The
union need not appear In the adjustment at all
and. ae has often been stated before II the
employers Of the telegraphers will deal honestly
end honorahlx uvifh their ,rersfors thes- ---ti,
never hear OF the union. We claim the sliding
scale. blacklist and the employment OF women
at less than win pay their living expenses Is
In W.