The sun., 1907-08-20
STRIKE ARBIIRATORS NAMED
BUT THEY MAY HAVE NOTHING
10 DO At AL.


10 Act In settle TeIe graph TrOubte.
but Companies Won't Deal WIN the
Union No They Appear 20 he Useless.
Word came from Washington last night
that Samuel Gompers. president OF the
American Federation Of Labor, with John
Mitchell president Of the United Mine Work.
ers. and Daniel j. Keefe, president Of the
international Longshoremen's Union. had
been selected by President Small Of the Com
mercial Telegraphers' Union of America
az arbitrators for the striking telegraph
operators.
Mr.. Gompers said in Washington: I'VE
are to attempt TO get an honorable adjust
ment with the telegraph companies whom
the opportune time arrives. This may be
in an hour or in a week. or il may neve r
come"
The three labor leaders are members Of
the executive council.
1t 10 thought likely that President Small
will be in Washington in day or two to talk
with the srbitrators.
The strike leaders here said during the
day that they had been informed that
Gompers. Mitchell and Keefe were coming
here to try to settle the strike. They
also said that Small and United States
IldpoE SOHb1tSelOncT NclII were CDUllUK
along on the same mission.
+. ]. Nslly, vice-president Of the Postal
company. said yesterday:
Moon reports from all points east. west
north and south in dicated that we started
this morning under almost normal con-
ditions. with improved traffic and increased
force; not a single place in the oompany's
system this morning where we are not
giving good service and where we are not
prepared TO give prompt handling to any
business the public may file with us. So far
as the Postal Telegraph Cable Company is
concerned the strike is over.
There have been no demands on the
company. II Small came here we could
have no dealings with him. The talk Of a
settlement is absurd. There is nothing to
settle. The telegraphers simply walked
ont. We could srbitrate only with the men
al individuals. II a man wants 10 come
back We will srbitrate az to whether to
take him back but will not deal with the
men as a union. II Mr.. Neill comes here
] will see him. but there can be no arbitra-
ton"
President Adams Of the Postal
company said that three-fourths Of the
normal force was employed. The COM
pHIY WAS DCklnnlnK 10 btnu telcRTdDDeTb
to the branch Offices because they were
no longer needed at the main ONCE. The
messages were still taken subject TO delay
az precautionary measure, he said, but
the delays were very slight. The Chicago
messages we're about forty minutes behind
the normal.
Supt. Brooks of the Western Union
company said that the idea of committee
Of labor men arbitrating the strike. espe-
cially a strike where the strikers did not
know what they wanted, was absurd.
He said he could see no good reason why
the strikers should think that the bringing
Of Small here would do them any good.
The company would have nothing what
ever to do with Small or any man who came
as a labor leader.
How could they ask for arbitration"
he said. -The whole situation is prepos-
ferrous. On June 20 they made an agree
ment through Mr.. Neill, sighed and sealed,
and Small ordered a strike in San Francisco
on June p. That was settled in the same
way, through Mr. Neill. and they went on
No general strike of brokers' operators
was ordered yesterday. IL was reported
that in the Offices of three brokers men had
walked out
There was no meeting Of the strikers yes
terday in the Manhattan I,yceum. Strate-
gist Russell went to see Attorney General
jackson. Russell il to send TO the Office Of
the Attoney-General a copy of the opinion
local No. l6 got from lawyer as to the
responsibility of the telegraph companies
in case they failed 20 carry out their con-
tracts with the public.
Mr.. jackson left for Albany in the after
noon.
MIR. Russell called on me in reference to
the liability Of telegraph companies and
what they are legally responsible for, but
he had nothing definite to put up" said
the Attoney-General. before leaving He
is to give me an opinion by lawyer. pre-
suyne the opinion published in some of the
newspapers last week. which I have not
read. | have nothing TO go on in the way
of specific complaint. and would have 10
look into the question very closely in case
complaints are made. | will be back on
Wednesday or Thursday and will telephone
Mr.. Russell on my arrival. IL any point
il raised which iustifes me in taking any
action. OF course. I will do 30. but at pres
ent there is nothing for me to discuss"
Four Of the check boys in the Western
Union walked out yesterday. declaring
themselves on strike. They walked out
after a signal whistle, quite like the tele-
graph operators.