Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-05-12
FRENCH POSTAL
EMPLOYEES VOTE
GENERAL STRIKE
CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES POST
PONIES ACTION
FEDERAL TOiLERS ARE DETER.
MINED TO FORCE HAND
Thousands of Men Decide to Cease
Work and Grave Crisis confronts
Natlon-Both Sides Are e.
ResoIute
tRv Associated Press.l

II DARIs, May 1.-THE chamber OIL
deputies, after a stormy session
Il of four hours today, adjourned
the debate on the interpretations on the
postal situation until May Is.
The response of the employees was
quick and decisive. Within half an
hour the federal committee had issued
an order for a general strike and the
railway mail clerks walked out In
body.
An hour later meeting of 5000 postal
employees took up the battle and unam-
mously voted to strike.
No great enthusiasm was shown, but
determination to force the hand or the
government was apparent.
"The government is playing for time;
we must not be caught mapping" was
the spirit of the meeting as expressed
by Pauron, dismissed postal employe,
and one of the most active organizers
of the movement.
During the debate in the chamber
M. Sembal and Willm, Socialists, de-
Tended the strikers, affirming their
right to organize a syndicate as the
only way of redressing their griev-
ances and charging the government
with failure to keep its promises at
the conclusion of the previous strike,
especially with regard to the retire
ment of M. Simyan, under secretary of
posts and telegraphs.
Considers Crisis Grave
M. Deschanel considered the crisis
very grave. He laid responsibility for
the present situation largely on par
liamentarism," which he said, was
working in a vicious way He consid-
cred the remedy would be the intro
duction of real civil service, based on
merit.
M Barthou, minister of public works,
the governments only spokesman in
sisted neither he nor Premier Clemen-
ceau had promised the dismissal of
Secretary Simyan. He produced the
official journal as proof of what he
said. The minister reaffirmed the gov
ernment's unalterable opposition to the
formation of a syndicate among state
employees,
"If parliament asks us to reverse our
attitude" continued M. Barthou, I'VE
will retire and leave to others the abb
dication which would be mortal blow
to the rights that parliament holds
from the nation and the essential, vital
and permanent interests of the nation
itself"
Toward the close of the meeting of
the federal committee the speakers be-
came more excited in their denuncia-
ton of the government. A earicature
hall amid boots and 1eers.
Fighting for Liberty
"You are fighting for liberty of
opinion and liberty of association"
shouted M. Pauron, land you must not
resume work until you have obtained
the right to unite as a syndicate"
A permanent strike and branch COM
mittees were created and delegates
were dispatched to the provinces to
pursue an active propaganda to make
the strike complete.
The secret committee, composed of
men whose names were not made pub
lie, so they might escape the govern
ment's surveillance, was abolished.
Dispatches were received from many
cities announcing the support not only
of the postal employees, but of the va
rious trades unions.
The Miners congress, now in session
at Lens, also pledged their aid.
The president of the committee de-
clared that tomorrow not letter must
leave Paris.