The sun., 1909-05-07
FRENCH POSTMEN DEFIANT
FORM UNION AS DIRECT CHAL-
LENGE TO GOVERNMENT.
Deputation Made Futile Call at Ministry
ss Interior SC De:s.s::::a: F:.!n!!::e: cs
Promises and Then Decided to Or
ganize-A strike Not Inevitable.

ss Interior sc Demand F!,!t!!:,:e:.t 9
Promises and Then Decided to Or
gauize-A strike Not Inevitable,
Special Cable Dtspatth 10 THE sun.
PARIS. May GA delegation Of seven
postal employees, the same men whose
Interview with Premier Clemenceau and
Minister Bathou resulted in a settlement
OF the recent strike, went to the Ministry
Of the Interior this morning to interview
the Premier
They are credited with having had the
intention Of presenting an ultimatum te
him summoning him to fulfil the promises
explicit and implied, which were given al
the interview at which the strike was
settled and which are said to have in
cluded the retirement Of NJ. Simyan, the
unpopular Under Secretary Of Posts ano
T Telegraphs,
When the delegation arrived at the
Ministry building they found Premier
Clemenceau absent, as he Is still ill. His
chief clerk. NJ. Mauian, had left the Minis
try half an hour before. The delegation
left the building and held meeting at
which trade union for postal and tele-
graph Government employees was formed
The bylaws Of the new union were de-
posted at the Prefecture of the Seine,
according to law. They are preceded by a
declaration claiming the same rights for
workers in public administrations under
the State as industrial employees have
under their employers.
At the prefecture question arose
as to whether an official receipt could
be given for the bylaws. but when it
was learned that the bylaws must be
forwarded to the Prooureur Of the Repub-
lie the receipt was given. A communica-
ton was made later to the press that the
deputation had formed trade union
in order to anticipate any change in the
law which might prevent the formation
of such union.
1t was added that the deputation's
action would remain purely formal until
the general association had been con-
verted into a trade union. Nevertheless
to-day action is direct challenge to
the Government. which has declares;
that the law of 1884. allowing professional
syndicates to be formed. does not apply
to State employees. Some such syndi-
Gates already exist, and the Government
has agreed that these will be tolerated
until Parliament has passed statute
dealing with civil servants. but no new
ones were to be formed The General
Association OF Postal. Telegraph and
Telephone Employees. which is prac-
ticaiiy a syndicate. was permitted. but
it was declared to be incapable Of being
affiliated with the General Labor Con-
federation.
All the postal employees are not favor
able to the formation Of syndicate.
Some are entirely opposed to it. Others
believe that congress representing all
classes OF employees alone would be
qualified TO decide the question.
The leaders in to-day's action are
mostly men under suspension. who are
very likely to be dismissed from the
service by the Council Of Discipline
They have little to loose and the present
effervescence does not mean that a strike
is inevitable. 1t was because it was not
preceded by similar talk. votes. DC. that
the last strike occurred.
Marck, treasurer of the General Labor
Confederation. and Torton. secretary OF
the Rouen Labor Exchange, have been
sentenced to four and three months
Imprisonment respectively at Rouen for
speeches made at May day meeting.
The postal employees Of Toulouse.
Grenoble, Lyons. Dijon and other provin-
cial towns have protested against the
Governments repressiye measures.
The employees Of the central telegraph
station. where the last telegraph strike
originated. met this evening and voted
sympathy with their comrades. who.
they declared. were being unjustly prose-
cuted. The Formation Of a trade union
was approved. The meeting considered
that a strike was the employees only
weapon. but the data OF strike was left
to the decision OF the federal committee
The Government has notified Pauron
secretary of the Postal and Telegraphic
Lineworkers Union. that he must appear
before the Council Of Discipline for not
presenting himself for service after having
been summoned to do so. Pauron is one
OF the most important leaders in the pres
ent movement.
The Railway Workers Union, which
is now holding a national congreas in
Paris, after hearing to-day "a represen-
tative of the postal employees voted a
Of sympathy with their civil
service comrs des struggling for the right
to form unio and for liberty Of opinion
and promised them support