New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-08-09
DESERT CHICAGO KEYS
WIRE STRIKE SPREADS.
Western Union Operators Walh
Ont at Midnight.

Chicago Aug. 9.-The telegraph operators en-
ployed by the Western Union Telegraph Com
pany In Chicago went on strike last night at II
O'Clock The waIk-out was brought on by the
Los Angeles strike, which began two days ago.
The executive board of Chicago Local No L
of the Commercial Telegraphers of America
met last night and passed resolutions request
ing the men to refuse to work wires with
non-union operators in Los Angeles. All oper-
ators employed in the overland division of the
local office followed this request. and Assistant
Night Chief Harry Price ordered all who re-
fused to work to leave the office He then went
into other divisions and requested the men to
go into the overland division In every case he
was met with refusal until over seventy
men had been sent home.
The grievance committee of the union then
gave notice to Mr.. Price that unless every man
was renstated by midnight every union oper-
ator in the office would be called out. This de-
mand was refused. and promptly at midnight a
whistle was blown and all the operators en-
ployed in the main office. with the exception OF
ST xwire and loop chiefs. including Night Mana
ger Price and his two assistants. left their keys
and with round of cheers filed out of the office
The men employed by the company at various
morning newspaper offices had been informed of
the contemplated strike and also quit work
The local officials of the union say that the
day force employed by the company. most of
whom belong to the union, will refuse to go TO
work this morning. This will also include all
branch offices in the city.
As soon the operators in the Chicago oflce
of the Western Union Telegraph Company went
out this morning the company's trunk lines d.
rectly connecting Chicago and this city were
ordered closed for the night They will be re-
opened tomorrow. and such New York-Chicaso
business handled as the company is able to dis
patch.
None of the officers of the company here
would discuss the situation E. NJ Milford
superintendent of the eastern division, re-
ceived unofficial notice of the strike after MD
night but would make no comment
The move at Chicago was not wholly sur
prise to the members OF the Commercial Teles-
raphers' Union here. They had received an IN
timation that the trouble at Los Angeles was
likely to involve men working in the ofnces OF
the company In other cities. and developments
NJ tho last two days had not appeared favorable
to friendly settlement of the dispute on tIe
Coast No official statement was made to-nght
by representatives of the union
Whether the New York offices would be drawn
into the strike as was the Chicago office. no
one would hazard a prediction. 1t was, now
ever pointed out that the same point raised
in Chicago would naturally arise mere Inc
Chicago men had refused to work wires manneu
! at the Los Angeles ends by non-union men, H.
n was said non-union men were now put to
work in the Chicago office. IT was hardly 10 De
| expacted that union men here would work with
| them
Los Angeles Aug 8-The strike of the West
ern Union telegraph operators in this city. which
WAS called last night following the discharge of
| Iobn RYAN union operator on the charge OF
| deliberately delaying business" continued to-
day According to the men, about sixty iVe
out of a total of seventy-hv are out The COM
nanv however is fairly we'll supplied with oper-
| stors and is taking care of all business or
| fered.
| At a meeting Of fifty striking operators a
letter from Manager Miller was read. saying
that the men could return to work. and that a
hearing would be given to a committee
IT was decided that none of the operators
would return to work unless Ryan went with
| them Steps looking to negotiations with Man
| ager Miller on this basis were taken.
| President s. j. Small of the Commercial Teleg-
raphers' Union sent the following from Oakland:
..Deplore hasty action. but realize justfhable
VIII stand behind Los Angeles II trouble not
settled I'm forty-tyo hours Will go there.
Eighteen operators were at work In the ofhce
| of the Western Union Company to-day. Addi-
! tionai operators are being brought in as rapid
lv as possible The company closed ali Its city
| branches and brought such operators as would
| come TO the main office. and put them to work.
| The outside operators all women Several
Joined the strikers