New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-08-11
MAY STRIKE TO-DAY.
Union Here Thinks Trouble Likely
Com pany Pre- pared.

II was regarded as highly probable by the officials
Of the New York Photographers Union yesterday
that the general mass meeting of the teiegraphers
az Manhattan Lyceum. No. 66 East 4th street, to-
day. would order q general strike. Although e%-
pectng a general strike order. President Joseph f.
Ahearn of Local No 16 of the Commercial feles-
raphers' Union of America, said that should the
mass meeting decide TO delay strike order. there
might yet be some possibility of a peaceanie ao-
iustrnent of grievances in view of the fact that
Percy Thomas. of the New York local. had been
appointed deputy president during the absence OF
the national president. S j. Small, who is In the
West.
Il regard the appointment OF Mr.. Thomas as
deputy president as of some significance said
President Ahearn yesterday. II don't say that the
meeting tomorrow will not order general
strike. but ] believe that Mr.. Thomass appoint
ment might yet pave the way to peace negoua-
lions with the Western Union and Postal 1ele-
graph companies
President Ahearn made public part of telegram
he received from Secretary Treasurer Wesley Rus
sell of the Commercial Telegraphers Union OF
America. who said:
Situation daily growing more serious. Our mem
hers rebellion against bad faith and duplicty
displayed by the Western Union from the begin
ming of the negotiations UP to the present time at
New York, Chicago and San Francisco, and against
the Postal Telegraph Company on account OF vio-
latiOns of agreement entered into last SepteihDer
with Chicago Local No. l.
The main grievance OF the New York telegra-
pliers. according TO the officials of the local union
legrephers presenting grievances for adjustment
Ex-President Russell of Local No. 16 said:
The companies claim that they have conceded
the right of arbitration. but this is not So when
a telegra pher connected with the union presents a
grievance he is discharged and If he persists In
demanding hearing he is told that he is no longer
an employee of the company, and therefore mas no
right to make any demand for arbitration.
I'VE demand the reinstatement OF the nine
union members who were discharged at the
beginning of the controversy with the Western
Union. Should strike il will be to force the
telegraph companies TO keep their agreement TO
arbitrate all grievances presented by any OF 'he
telegraphers
THE companies virtually forcing the present
national strike movement because they know that
If they let us adhere plans they will tie
more easily defeated than if there is strike at
present. The telegraph business has had bad
season this year and the companies know thae
the telegraphers are not In the condition TOT a
strike which they would be next year strike
next year could be in walk. but strike
this year will be somewhat OF a struggle
I'm view of this condition of affairs the COM
panies are leaving nothing undone to force the
telegraphers in all parts Of the country to go on
piers organization. and if this be not possible
cripple II least. In spite Of the ctrcum-
stances. however. we will make the night OF our
lives and force the companies to keep their agree
ments in the future.
THE companies have evidently forestalled us.
suspecting that were secretly preparing Tor
some big move
STRIKE NOT FEARED" SAYS BARCLAY.
Just before leaving his Office at the western
Union last night Assistant General Manager Bar
clay asked II he going 10 remain at the
Office all night expected 10 come back again.
If any one else of the officials of the company
would be deck all night
''Why should any else remain here later
than usual" lie replied. NO. ! am going right
away and ] am tho last Of the officials here
and shall not return until Monday morning"
But what about the possibility OF a general
strike being declared was asked.
'As this company is concerned. we know
hc,tt usrflra and a
our business usual
How about Chicago7' asked
I'VE all cleaned up at Chicago and have
transacted all the business that was offered US
there"
How about the other towns?"
we have trouble anywhere: We are right
up to date and not worrying about anything
President Ahearn. when told Of Mr. Barclays
statement laughed and said: The facts disprove
the statement all around. Either Mr.. Barclay is
misinformed else lie is taking liberties with the
truth for the purpose Of making huge bluff
Everybody knows that the business at Chicago is
practically tied up. and the same condition pre-
walls in other Western and Southern towns"
Mr.. Ahearn said that he had nothing TO say re-
garding the meeting OF the executive committee
last night in advance of the meeting.
THE results OF deliberations Will become
known through the action we will decide upon at
the meeting to-day. where a free discussion of
position will be had and some definite plan decided
on" he said.
COMPANIES PREPARED.
officials of both companies. who Friday
pressed the the strike in Chicago would
prove local in its nature. said yesterday pri-
vately that the situation was such that prepare
lions WERE being made to handle the business in
case the rhen walked out Minor officials and clerks
of both companies. who have worked at the
keys for years Will be called upon TO man the
wires while nOn-unOn men who remain at work
will have opportunities of working double time.
When a strike threatened several weeks ago
the Western Union purchased scores of cots to take
care of the strike breakers I'm the main office Of
ha at1rFts rt{tn
believe that they will effecualy break the strike.
should Il be called, a short time. They say that
the union does control more than 30 per cent of
the telegTaphers here. and that the treasury or the
union is empty
Colonel r. &. Clowry. president and general man
age of the Western Union. did not to the
erai Offices OF the company yesterday. He said
that he felt that the situation did not demand his
perscaal presence He remained at his country
horra a : Elberon n. J. The general officers of the
company expressed themselves quite content
with the situation: they sending great deal
sef business between New York and Chicago and
thew thought that the situation would be distinctly
better by tomorrow.
Local headquarters of the Commercial Teleg-
raphers' Union. Local No. 16 busy place all
day. There an air of tension about the place
and an atmosphere OF getting ready for the In
eyitable The members OF the union coming
and going all morning, and the general topic
tho meeting TO be held to-day. In advance of the
action to be taken this meeting the officials OF
the union were unwilling to commit themselves
but unof1cially the members of the union freely
admitted that they thought strike more than
likely and that they were getting ready to meet
the emergency
The members of the union are unanimous In the
belief that the Western Union company by it's
attitude in refusing live up 10 it's agreement
with the union trying 10 force a strike
10 disrupt the union The men say the com
pany has neen for months preparing for strike
and is now almost ready for lockout.
IF we go strike are bound to win said
one member 1T will not be like the strike of
1888. We are better organized now. and viii
have the backing OF other strong unions. We have