The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-08-13
POSTAL ISSUES WARNING.
w. 7. Capen. General Superintendent,
Sends Letter to Strike Operators.

w. I. Capen. General Superintendent,
Sends Letter to Strike Operators.
w. L Capen, general superintendent
of the Postal Telegraph company in
Chicago, has sent out the following
open letter to the striking employees of
the company:
Chicago, Aug. 10, 19O7-To Our
Employees: Now that the officers Of
| the union, of which a large number
| OF our employees are members have
declared a strike, I feel it my duty to
call your attention to the seriousn ess
or the leaving of an employment by
which many of our men have been
able TO earn a good living for their
families and themselves. for years, un-
der good conditions and pleasant sur
roundfngs.
Go where you may. better quarters
and fairer treatment can not be
found This say without fear of be-
ing contradicted by any man who has
done his part as he should in the Chi
cago office.
There is, and probably always will
be, malcontents and strife-make
among our employees, ever ready to
find fault with those holding higher
positions, and making mountains out
of mole hills.
to warn any man with family. par
ent or others dependent upon him for
support Agitators with waggfng
| tongues cause men to leave positions.
Oul iIlcy ldIl 10 provide 1000 and shell
| ter for families. and nine times out OF
| ten the agitators hold some union no.
sition, drawing salary and expense
money out of the fund to which YOU
have contributed a part
The Postal Telegraph Cable com
pany has not only furnished you with
steady employment, at as remunera
tive wages as it could afford to. but il
mas provided way to help along all
those who have given faithful service
for a reasonable number Of wears
should accident or illness unfit Won for
Iurtner service Can you afford to give
up this insurance? think not
While the company desires vour
services, and Is willing to nav the
highest market price for them. Vet
you are not bound to work for it a dav
longer than you wish
Look on the other side The union
ornclaIs, whom you are paying. com
mand you to give up your position with
out being able to assure Won anvthfnp
In return, and you are bound to obey
because OF holding a card in the union
In plain words, you are not free to ex-
erclse your judgment. but you are a
slave to the union and being led by II
know positively that the majority
of our really good men do not want 70
quit work. and will do so only because
they are men OF their word. No one
adInlres man whose word is as good
as MS pond more than I do, but I do
counsel you to give this very serious
you talk it over with your wife and
ram1Iy quietly at home before it is too
late, and then If you reach the decfs-
lon you are about to take the wrong
step, resign from the union as Won
nave perfect right to do, and con-
tlnue your connection with the com
pany.
Particular points to be borne IN mind
are these: " ------N
Are you at an age where you can
afford TO start anew?
Could you possibly expect to earn as
much money in any vocation as you are
now receiving, even if you should ex-
perience no trouble in securing en-
ployment which you cannot hope to
find readily?
Do you realize that length of previ-
Gus service Will not be considered
should you secure re-empIoyment in
this company's service?
Remember that only 2S Postal men
had anything TO do with the decision
to present the unreasonable, unwar-
ranted, and utterly inconsistent sche-
dule and that only few of these have
families dependent upon their labor.
The fact that almost our entire force
remained away from the meeting at
which the schedule was voted upon, in
dicates there are few responsible teleg-
raphers in favor of II.
1t is to be regretted that those in
command of the union are misleading
you as to the increase of the COM
panys rates in giving you to under
stand that they were general throughout
the country, which they were not; these
cant grievances which really amount to
notning until they look to you like
enormous propositions.
IN conclusion, I assure you the Postal
Telegraph Cable company will stand by
Continued on Page -6N