The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-06-26
REFUSES TO CONFER
Western Union Will Not Meet
Former Employees,
SMALL ON WAY TO CHICAGO
President of TelegTaphers' Union May
Push Strike Campaign i'm Windy City
and More Important Eastern Centers.
Situation on Pacific COast Said to
Remain without Change.


both the Western Union and the Postal
Telegraph companies said to-day that the
companies had got such grip on the
situation at San Francisco that they
were handling messages with little delay,
and that the situation was steadily I'm
proving This was AT variance with re-
ports which came to the headquarters Of
the executive board of the Commercial
Telegraphers' Union at the AstOr House.
which were to the effect that the offices
at San Francisco and Oakland. and at
the relay Office Of the Western Union in
Chicago, were piled up with business
awaiting transmission.
Mr.. Barclay Of the Western Union said
the Western Union had l25 men at san
Francisco and Oakland. The messages /
are taken subject to delay, as a precau-
tionary measure" he said, but the con-
ditions are fairly good and the service is
improving every day. We are satisfied
with the conditions, and there is very lit
tie delay in transmitting messages"
Opposed to Conference.
Asked il the company would confer
with a committee Of the strikers in case
a conference was requested, he said.
why should we? They are no longer our
employees We could not confer with a
committee Of outsiders, as the men who
struck, by leaving our employment, have
discharged themselves"
lie was reminded that employers I'm
other branches Of trade had conferred
with committees of striking employees, but
he declared that was a different matter
saying that when there is a strike OF
brlcklayers or Transfers Il only affects
The city in which 81 takes place. while a
strike Of telegraphers affects the business
Of the country :
H. reply 20 a question as 70 whether the
strike at san Francisco would have the
effect OF stopping negotiations with the
tclezraphers. he said. Il decline TO an
swcr that question. / do not know of any
negotiations"
Auny Back I'm Business.
Deputy President B0neukamP, Of the
union. said mat though the executive
committee had not heard directly from
President Small, they had heard from him
indirectly. The committee had received
dispatches 20 the effect that at the relay
station in Chicago. the Western Union
was 800 messages behind. and the pile
was increasing in san Francisco and
Oakland. He said the company was sixty
Eve hours behind I'm business
An open letter was sent 90 Vice Prasi-
dent Nally. Of the Postal Company. to-
day by Depue President Eonenkamp.
of the union, in which he says that in
stead Of the telegTaphers breaking an
agreement by the strike in san Fran
cisco, the telegraphers made an agree
meut with the company covering Chicago
which the company violated.
He declares that the trleETaphers petit
toned the company 20 be heard on Ger
tain grievances and the conditions ia san
Francisco, but We're ignored. lie offers to
meet Mr.. Nally, or any responsible agent
of the company through a committee OF,
II that Is objected to, a committee of en-
plOyes Of the company will be appointed
10 discuss the grievances.
Small Going to Chicago.
Chicago. June 25-Preeideut Samuel J.
Small. of the Commercial Photographers
Union of America, left Oakland early to-
day and is on his way 20 Chicago. on his
arrival here he will take charge of the
strike situation. Since the companies have
declared the positions Of the striking
telegraphers I'm san Francisco and Oak
land vacant it IS now thought that Presl-
dent Small VIII push his campaign OF,
strike against the companies I'm tho more
important telegraph centers, and for that
reason is coming East
The situation in Chicago over the strike
Of the telegraphers Is growing moro war
like because of the crippled condition Of
all Western wires. Business for the Coast
Is from three 20 four hours late There
is much talk among the brokers as TO
how best 20 continue business I'm the
event Of tho strike being declared in
Chicago. Many favor the establishing Of
an independent line. In order 70 do this
It Is thought the independent telephones
could be induced % take the initiative
and allow their properties 10 be equipped
so that Geographic service could be put
on their wires.
Secretary Russell, of the union, declared
to-day that he did not expect the strike
order 10 be issued against Chicago this
week
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