New-York tribune., 1907-07-14
AWAIT ORDERS TO QUIT
WIRE STRIKE IMMINENT.
Local Photographers Expect Instruc-
tiOns from San Francisco.

The strike feeling among the members Of
local No. 16 of the Commercial Teiegraphers'
Union who were at the local headquarters, at
no. sc Pine street, yesterday seemed 10 be in
creasing. A number Of messages were received
by the local executive committee. which had
prolonged meeting. after which the following
official statement. authorized by the executive
committee. was issued by President Joseph F.
Ahearn of the local:
The telegraph situation Is extremely critical at
this time. President Robert {. CloWTy OF the
Western Union telegraph Company issued a state
ment On July g. in which he said tnat the agree
ment entered into with Labor Commissioner Nell
would be carried out by the Western Union Tee
graph Company.
The same afternoon ! sent one Of the discharged
employees 10 see Superintendent =. NJ milford. at
No lS5 Broadway. with copy of the public state
made by President Clowry. He told this
man that he would not put him back to work un-
less he severed his connection with Local No. lS
and he laughed heartily when he saw Colonel
Clowry's statement. This has been the treatment
received by eight other discharged employees in
cluding four women The petty discrimination
continues at the main Office Of the Western Union
In this city and our men and women feel that We
must take some action 10 protect member
ship We have secured over - per cent Of the
operators in the Western Union offices throughout
greater New York I am in receipt Of q long
cipher telegram from San Francisco. Commis-
Eioner Neill with the executive committee is on
the ground, ana viii attend monster mass meet
.ng be held there tonight which all labor
organizations and prominent business men, we'll
as the president Of the Stock Exchange and heads
OF various other enterprises. will speak The West
ern Union officials have been invited attend this
meeting. The Chicago operators are ready 10 call
mass meeting tomorrow if word is received
from San Francisco Ia do SO. We have excellent
seclllies IN New York for reaching our men III a
Hurry, and viii take similar action if so in
Etructed.
Secretary McInerney Of Local 16 was busy
yesterday answering queries by members as 70
the latest news. A number Of dispatches which
came from members Of the national committee
indicated no change UP the present in the
situation.
1t was stated by the officers OF the local that
:ts present system Of organization enables The
members to be informed quickly Of any order
(which may require immediate action. They
stated that the local is divided into thrty-nine
districts. each Of which has number of cap
talns. who are responsible for number of mem
bers and keep them informed of matters Of i'm
mediate Importance In case Of ? sudden strike
order the captains only would have 10 be in
formed. and they in turn would instruct the
members under their charge The lists Of dis
1ricts and captains are revised when it IS
thought necessary.
None Of the officers Of the Western Union
Company could be seen yesterday after the
statement authorized by the executive commit
Tee, Of the union was issued II was stated at
the main office Of the Western Union Company
that Superintendent Afulford was out OF town
and would not be back for day or two.
President Ahearn said last night:
We have not sought for trouble at any time. but
81 looks if unless the meeting at San
Francisco results in some satisfactory guarantee
that the company will deal fairly with the men.
the strike must take place The situation is
now than il has been any time since the trouble
began The company has said that the strike in
San Francisco has not crippled the service there
The decision of the business attend
meeting in San Francisco arises from the fact that
the service is so badly crippled that they want
have something done that will relieve the sit
uation. II is vital matter 70 the business inter
fc 0f ha n In
e normal condition.
san Francisco. July 13.-With the arrival last
night of United States Labor Commissioner
Charles P Neill of Washington. and Weep
idents J. Konenkamp. NJ, .. Reidy and Joseph
NJ Sullivan, of the national executive committee
Of the Commercial Teegra piers Union. the
suits Of the final effort TO. prevent extension
Of the telegraphers' strike viii be known proba-
bly, tomorrow Monday. Commissioner Neill
lost time in getting in touch with the local
situation, and last night held conferences in
Oakland with representatives of both sides TO
the controversy.