The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-08-12
STRIKE HELD IN ADEYANCE
(Continued from First Page.)

| The meeting of the local telegraph CTS union to-day was punctuated with | acrimonious discussion on the ques- tion of deferring action on a strike, and it was only after three-hour ar gument, in which the local union off, cers used all their efforts for defer ment, that the decision was finally arrived at, giving the local executive committee full power to call strike If the Chicago conference failed to re- suit in material concessions to the To- cal employees of the Western Union and Postal Telegraph companies.
 Several hundred telegraphers were present when Joseph Ahearn, presi- dent of the local union No. 16 eonven- ed the meeting at Manhattan lyceum this afternoon. There had been much strike talk during the day and the operators were strongly of the opin- ion that @ walk out would be called. Deputy President Thomas, who was delegated yesterday by President Small to direct the situation in the east, made short speech in which he said that he was willing to abide by any decision of the meeting. Several warm speeches declaring for a strike were made by members after Presi- dent Thomas had concluded and mo- ton to call strike was about to be made when Chairman Ahearn an- Inounced that James P Archbold, sec retary of the National Civic Fedora ton, and member of the Brother hood of Painters, had an important statement to make. Mir Archbold said that he had received a telegram from United States Labor Commissioner Charles P. Neil at Washington that he was proceeding to Chicago imme- diately at the request of President Roosevelt to confer with President Smith of the Photographers union; Samuel Gompers president of the American Federation of Labor, and Ralph M. Easley, chairman of the ex- Iecutive council of the National Civic Federation, to try to effect a settle- ment of the difficulties between the telegraph companies and their em- lployes. MT. Archbold told the meet ling that Commissioner Neil desired that the local operators make no lStrike declaration at this time. Several men were on their feet in an instant and strong effort was made to bring the meeting to vote declaring that the time had passed for barley and that nothing could come of the Chica- go conference. Several of the older linen counselled delay and in the heat ed argument that followed Chairman Ahearn had to rap repeatedly for or der. An amended resolution was fin- Ially adopted that '1n view of the statement of MT. Archbold, immediate action on the question of calling a strike be deferred and that the local Iunion notify both telegraph compan- les that if they continue trying to re- Icruit strike breakers In New York summary action would be taken, and further, that the mediators now on their way to Chicago be given until Friday noon to conduct negotiations. If by that time they have failed to Isecure material and favorable conces- sions, the New York local president is l6HlpOMG Gu LO CClt q oIllhC fly.
 Deputy President Thomas said after the meeting that President Small and the national executive committee of the union would hold a meeting in Chicago Thursday to consider the ad- visibility of calling general strike.
 D. J. Nally, vice-president and gen. eral manager of the Postal company, to-day sent out to all Postal offices the following statement;
 We shall take firm stand in deal ing with the situation You are au- thcrlzed to advise managers at the points where strike conditions prevail to say to our loyal men who stand by us in our difficulties that all operators will be paid their regular salaries as a bonus and their services at the keys will be computed as extra on a basis of seven hours per day or night, and where you deem 1t wise to do so, you may also furnish free meals and lodg-
 rgs until we return to our normal condition"
 The members of the national execu- tive board who are proceeding to Chi cago to take part in the negotiations are Chairman R. J. Fowler of Mem- phis, M. J. Reidy of Boston, Joseph M, Sullivan of New York, s. J. Konen- kamp of Pittsburg and c. E. Hill oi Toronto.
 It was stated by union men that the commercial telegraphers have work ing agreement with the Order of Rail- way Photographers by which the latter are pledged to support them. The rail road telegraphets are credited with having in their treasury the second largest labor union reserve fund of the country.
 The strike of union commercial tel. egraphers will be universal throughout the United States and Cafada wlthir tNenty-four hours, according to Ma. ticnal Secretary Russell of the Com. mercial Photographers Union of Ameri. ca This statement was made by MT Russell tonight after he had been in. formed of the action taken by New Ycrk union telegraphers, who at z meo ting to-day decided to hold a walk out in abeyance until the latter par
 of the week.
 This strike movement" said Rus
 sell, "has come to the point where there can be no backing down. The photographers nave been trodden or long enough by the companies ant now that we have the opportunity W, are going to lse all our strength tc enforce our demands. For severa weeks President Small and myself hay, haen hnldinp the telegranhers and hnvi