The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-08-18

Samuel Gompers, Of the American Fed
GRAFTON Of Labor and Charles P. Neil,
Commissioner of Labor. from Chicago.
worked no change in the conditions Of the
local biographies strike yesterday.
Neither official would discuss the strike
situation
Mr.. Gompers will attend the meeting
Of the general executive board of the
American Federation Of Labor, which
convenes here tomorrow morning. but
win not be present at Il meeting Of the
telegraphers ;his afternoon, because Of an
engagement
Commissioner Nell likewise refused 10
discuss the situation and his future
plans. but it is gathered that he will
leave for New York early this morning
and so to Oyster Bay. where he viii con-
fer with the President
This action is looked on by the strik-
ers as an indication that arbitration is
likely to follow, as they did not expect
that the President would take any action
until he had consulted with Mr.. Neil.
The strikers are confident that an arbi-
trati0n board VIII decide in their favor.
Vice President Beattie and President
Groves held themselves in readiness yes
terday afternoon. after they learned OF
the arrival Of President Gompers and
Commissioners NELL, TO be called into con-
ference with these officials. but no notice
came 10 them. It is probable that Mr..
Gompers viii confer with the two local
; officers on Tuesday, but no change in the
conditions is expected TO result
situation About same.
So far as Washington is concerned the
strike situation remains practically IN
changed. although. Notwithstanding the
unions insistence that they are gaining.
the companies are undoubtedly in better
shape than they have been since the strike
orders were issued. There was little ac-
ton on either side yesterday, and there
have been practically no developments
since the issuance Of the general strike
order.
Although it is difficult TO learn just how
the kilograms of private citizens are
faring, certain 1t is that the government
business is being handled with the usual
panieS have to take. and without apparent
heed Of expense on the part OF the COM
panies.
The newspaper bureaus also are meet
ing with success in fling their messages.
All the local Chicago correspondents
have used the telegraph companies for
their messages. and find that the news
Is safely in their papers the next morn
ing. Other correspondents. notably those
from New York, say that for the past
few days they have not been seriously
affected by the strike
Claims of Union Men.
The union men claim that special ef-
forts are being made to take care of gov
eminent and newspaper dispatches, but
that the messages Of private citizens and
business men are suffering It is said
at the company Offices that there are
many points which can be reached now
without delay. and that few messages
need be taken subject to delay. This
latter course is only necessary, they
claim when the city or town TO which
they are sending the messages is badly
tied up. and these they claim are bec0m-
ing fewer and fewer.
The strikers make contrary statements,
but II seems certain that Washington is
in better position TO send its messages
than it has been az any stage Of the
strike.
The Associated Press managers seem
10 be having little trouble, and, although
some leased wire owners have signed the
union scale, others have refused to do
SO, and claim TO be using the telegraph
companies with satisfaction
The report circulated yesterday that the
government business in the Treasury De-
paTtment was badly affected was con-
tradicted at the building yesterday after
noon, and il was said that the messages
sent by Uncle sam We're reaching their
destinations without delay.
Russell Claims Victory.
Vice President Beattie. Of the Interna-
tional Telegraphers' Union, received the
following telegram from Secretary Rus
sell yesterday afternoon:
''Ninety-fve per cent of the Western
Union and Postal operators are out all
over the United States. Victory is ours"
This announcement was the cause of
much jubilation at strike headquarters
last night
Mr.. Beattie said last night: Il have re-
ceived Official Information from local
unions in forty-fve centers and they state
that the tle-up IS as complete as could
be desired"
Referring 10 claims OF the companies |
that they could send kilograms to all parts /
Of the country, Mr.. Beattie said: Just
try TO get a telegram TO the West. and
you will find the falsity of this state
ment"
When told that the newspaper men were |
having no difficulty in getting their mes
sages 10 Chicago, Mr.. Beattie said that /.
the newspapers were better taken care /
OF than private citizens.
Assistant Manager Bresnahan, of the 1
Western Union Company said. in re- /
ferring 10 the situation: I'VE only know
that the general strike order has been
Issued by what We see IN the papers. It 4
has not affected US in the least, and since |
Its issuance we have gained. instead of 1
lost I do not know how they are faring |
N the West but as far as our circuits go. /
they are working with great satisfaction /
10 US
PrOsser Is Sanguine.
Manager Prosser. Of the Postal Com
pany. supplemented the above statement
with the remark that the strike mad
proved great failure and that all the
men who went out did so before President
Smalfs order was issued.
President Groves, of the local union,
has not yet decided when the first bene-
TT meeting viii be given here. Il was
his intention 20 go through the strike
without calling on the public but at that
time he thought that it would be over Il
sooner. Now that a hard fight is as |
sured, he intends calling mass meetings Il
and in other ways augmenting the treas
urv of the strikers