The Washington herald., 1907-08-11
TELEGRAPH STRIKE SPREADS RAPIDLY.

cities. is Illegal. because Of the lack of
confirmation and appreciation from the
executive body Of the union, II appears
that President Small and his associates
have lost control Of the individual units
OF the organization.
The telephone girls, whose services had
been requisitoned by the telegraph com
panies to telephone messages to outside
towns where free wire connections could
be had, sent expressions Of regret 10 the
telegraphers. but did not carry their union
principles further.
Vice President Charles Adams, OF the
Postal Telegraph Company. gave out a
statement late to-day. He said:
All indications point to a general strike
on both companies. Many OF the large
relay Offices east and west arc refusing
to work with the offices already affected
wherein nonun.on men have been in
stalled. This morning the Birmingham
(Ala.) local voted unanimously to refuse
to work on the same wire with nonunion
men. and the same action was taken by
the unions at Memphis, Cleveland. Den
yer, and Kansas City. At Memphis and
Kansas City all union operators left their
keys Immediately. and We expect t. hear
at any time that those in the other cities
mentioned are out sls0.
We will have 20 difficulty In filing
the strikers places. We have received
offers of aid from many Of our former
employees, now engaged IN other business.
and we have also MANY applications from
all parts Of the country from operators
wanting to fill the strikers positions
These men are engaged. and many are
now en- route 10 Chicago and the other
points affected.
There viii be decidedly no compro-
mise with the unions. They brought on
the strike. and they can settle Il by going
back to work whenever they please.
To-day we have had six circuits op-
Grating between New York and Chicago
The normal number is ten or twelve. We
are taking messages subject to delay 20
points affected by the strike only: all
other business is going normally.
We dc not know what may happen
in New York, though the New York op-
orators may follow the example set by
the men in Chicago and other places
We have had absolutely no indication Of
dissatisfaction among the men employed
by the Postal On the contrary. it is
admitted BY representative men Of the
New York union that they have no gfiev-
ance. Manager Norton. o9 the central
operating room. asked an operator by
the name Of Sullivan. on the executive
committee Of the national body OF the
telegrapheTs' union. this morning TO name
any reasonable grievance or cause for
dissatisfaction on the part Of the union
inen against the Postal Telegraph Com
pany. and this official frankly admitted
that he knew Of no grievance, ard of
no grounds upon which a grievance could
be justly founded.
Every one Of the strikes called so far
in the various cities has been illegal and
contrary TO the rules Of the union. That
is an evidence that this wholesale walk
out movement has not been prearranged
In every instance the union men have
ignored the officers Of the national or
ganization, the president of which. while
deploring their hasty action. has done
nothing else but send messages that he
was behind the strikers"
Mr. Adams intinated strongly that his
company was already making prepara-
tions against the impending strike which
the telegraph companies expect in New
York tomorrow OF Monday. He said that
the Postal would have enough loyal men
at hand TO get the wires into operation
within a day or two after the strike is de-
clared.
Assistant General Manager J. G. Bar
clay. OF the Western Union. said to-day
that the same number Of wires were
working between New York and Chicago
as on the preceding night. and that by
Monday there would be go strike-breakers
at work in the Chicago office.
I'VE are not worrying over the situa-
tion," said Mr.. Barclay. In fact, we are
sorry for the deluded strikers. who have
been called out by hot-hesded leaders
without stopping to reason. There is moth
ing for the company to discuss with the
men. They are the ones to do any talk
ing. In the event Of the strike spreading
to New York we believe we would be
crippled only for a period OF one or two
days. We VIII have no trouble in filling
the places Of those that quit