The Washington times., 1907-08-17
.LabOrCOmmiSSioner
IS to Report at
Once.
Prospects of General
WaLkOEt Hape
Increased.
American Fedora
ton to Suggest
Strike Meas
UTeS.

President Samuel Gompers, Of
the American Federation Of Labor,
and Labor Commissioner Neil
reached Washington today from
Chicago, where they have been in
attendance upon the conference
called among labor leaders incident
to the great telegraphers' strike now
on.
Mr.. GOmpers will attend the
meeting of the general executive
board Of the American Federation
Of Labor, which convenes here on
Monday morning, to close the work
Of the current year, prior to the na-
tonal convention in Norfolk.
The presence of President Comp
erS in the city viii incite great inter
est among The strikers, as the as
suTance Of President Gompers that
the telegTapherS' stfike would re-
ceive the moral and financial support
Of the American Federation Of
Labor, influenced the calling of the
general strike by President Small.
DECLINES TO TALK.
President GOmperS declined this
afternoon to have anything to say
for the present upon the strike stu
alton, and up TO a late house this af-
tenOon, none Of the local labor lead
ers have had the opportunity Of con-
feTing with him upon the subject.
President GOmPers stated that an
Out-of-tOwn engagement would pre-
vent him accepting an invitation TO
attend the meeting Of the strikers
tomorrow afternoon at Typograph-
ical Temple, but that he would re-
turn 70 the city by Monday.
Secretary Morrison is In the East
on bushes for the American FEEDER
alton OF Labor, but viii reach Wash
ington tomorrow e-ening.
Commissioner Of labor NefU de-
clined TO discuss the strike situa-
ton.
It IS expected that he viii 60 to
New York tonight, and that he viii
consult with the President at
Oyster Bay.
Chicago's vast army Of unionists. rep
resenting every nationality and trade,
IS ready for a sympathetic strike,
should such a step be necessary to win
the battle for the telegraphers.
One hundred electricians employed BIZ
tho Drainage canal received instructions
to quit work today, and other labor
bodies have under consideration similar
action
Big Labor Meeting Tomorrow.
It is expected that the Chicago Fed
GRAFTON Of Labor at its meeting tomor-
row VIII start the ball rolling. The
question OF ordering cut a certain num-
Der OF tradesmen who are affiliated with
the federation. Il was admitted today.
viii be the principal subject discussed.
The strike on the drainage canal has
been ordered for two reasons-frst that
the telegraph companies are negotiating
a contract for power from the canal:
second. that the sympathies OF the men
for the operators are stronger than their
desire 10 work under present conditions.
The leaders admit today that the
prospects OF a general walk-out have
Increased with such alarming rapidlty
within the past few hours that they
fear that some OF the more radical un-
ion members may act on their own fni-
uatiVe.
1t Is for the purpose Of preventing
unwtSe, haSty action thar the labor
federation Will meet tomorrow.
Developments IN the way Of peace
negotiations are expected today by ths
| flying trip 10 the East OF COmmissiot.s g
OF labor Neill. and President GomtCIs,
| OF the American Federation of Labor
Adoption OF q form OF general instruc-