The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1907-08-23
SMALL ORDERS A
GENERAL STT|KE
PRESIDENT OF TELEGRAPHERS'
UNION CALLS OUT ALL oP-
ORATORS.
CONFER WITH LABOR LEADERS
ASSOCIATED PRESS MAKES DE-
cIDED IMPROVEMENT IN ITS
SERVICE.

Chicago, Aug. IFS. ]. Small, presi.
dent of the Commercial Telegraphers'
union, this morning issued a general
order to all commercial operators to
cease work Immediately where con-
tracts with the union have not been
signed. Mr.. Small arrived in Chi
cago early In the evening and an
hour later was in conference with
Samuel Gompers, president Of the
American Federation of Labor. George
w. Perkins, president of the cigar
national secretary of the telegraphers'
union were also present at the confer
ence. Labor Commissioner Neill will
leave for Washington to-day. He took
no part in last nights conference and
said that he would make no effort to
do SO until a request for such action
had been made. During the day both
telegraph companies made a material
increase In their board Of trade force
and the occasion was greeted with
lutsy cheers by the traders.
A. P. Service Improves.
Decided improvement was made yes
terday on the condition Of the Associ-
ated Press wires. The entire leased
wire circuit between San Francisco
and New York was placed in operation
shortly after 6 o'clock last night. Up
to that time the Western wires had
terminated ut Denver. A number of
operators who went out on Monday re-
turned to their work during the day.
No Change In New York.
New York, Aug. 16.-There we're no
developments OF moment in the teleg-
raphers' strike in this city and at near.
by points yesterday. The Wall street
brokers and their operators were elimi.
mated from the contest last night when
the local te%legraphers' union met and
for the second time tabled a resolution
calling upon the operators Of the finan.
cial district to go out.
Say More Wires Are Working.
Chicago, Aug. 18.-No progress was
made yesterday by certain labor lead
ers who interviewed to bring about a
settlement Of the telegraphers' strike
by arbitration. President Small Of the
~telegraphers' organization met Samuel
Gompers of the American Federation
of Labor and Labor Commissioner
Neill during the day, but last night
sair it was only in a social way and
that 1t was too early in the fight to
talk of arbitration.
Increase Working Force.
Despite the general strike order
sent out early yesterday, both tele-
graph companies, by actual test, were
able to handle business with greater
promptness than at any time hereto
fore since the Inauguration Of the
strike.
The officials Of both companies de-
clared that instead Of assertions in re-
Spouse to the strike order, the reverse
vas the true state of affairs, as many
recruits had been added to the work.
ing forces of both companies during
the past t%wenty-four hours.
Few Respond to Call.
New York, Aug. 17.-Interest in the
telegraphic strike centered yesterday
in the probable effect Of the general
strike order issued by President
Small. Throughout the East there
were few If any responses to the call.
This was explained on the ground that
all operators who would strike had al.
ready quit work, and here the strike
order was given importance only as
affording official sanction Of the action
already taken by the strikers without
the previous approval of the national
officers.
Wires Work Better.
Both the Western Union and the
Postal companies claimed not to have
been affected by President Small's call
and to be working their wires better
yesterday than since the strike was
declared. The Associated Press was
not affected adversely.
Both Sides Play a Waiting Come.
New York, Aug. 20. As though by
mutual agreement the parties to the
strike of telegraphers took things
easier yesterday, and the usual claims
and counter-claims of the days devel-
opments were not made public. There
was little doing at strike headquarters
and nearly all of the higher officials of
the Western Union and Postal COM
panies spent the day out of town.
Those left in charge of the companies
Offices said that business was moving
smoothly. Reports OF the strikers
stated that reports received were IA
vorable from the standpoint of the
men who are out.
Demands on Brokers.
The local union met last night, and
later 1t was announced that it had
been decided to make certain demands