The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1917-06-30
URGE END TO
PHONE DISPUTE
100 BUSINESS MEN AGREE NOT TO
HAVE PHONES REMOVED.
PICKETING CONTINUES.
LABOR WILL FIGHT
Strike Committee Chairman Says Real
Fight for Existence of Organized La
Dor VIII BE Observation-Disclosures
Telephone System Proposed.

A resolution implying that no bust
ness house permit its telephone to be
taken out was passed without a dis
senting vote at a meeting of 100 bust
ness men held yesterday at the court
house. The business men refuse to rec
ognize any factional fight between the
Pioneer Telephone & Telegraph Compa.
ny and its employees and hold that it is
against good business principles and
detrimental to the best interest of the
city at large to continue the present
agitation. With three exceptions all
present signed the resolution.
The meeting was called at O'Clock.
Members Of the strike committee and
representatives of the Pioneer Tele.
phone & Telegraph Company presented
their side of the case after which they
withdrew and the merchants made their
decision. Several merchants and bust.
ness men who were unable TO attend the
meeting have since called at the court
house and signed the agreement. Il
was the sense Of the meeting that the
agitation should stop and that the pro.
gress OF the city go On without any
interruption.
I'VE regret that the business men Of
Ardmore have taken the stand in this
matter that they have" said K. r. Ro-
land, chairman Of the strike committee.
when informed concerning the action
of the business men. when a chance
was given them to adjust the matter
and stop what they term agitation,
they have, only added fuel to the fire.
Among the ranks Of organized. labor Of
Ardmore are some OF Ardmore's, best
citizens. They own property and have
the best interests Of Ardmore at heart.
The action of the merchants of Ard.
more has invited organized labor to lay
down the fight or prepare for a real
fight for its existence, and we propose
to fight. A number OF merchants have
had their phones taken out when asked
by the unions and they will receive the
unqualified support Of organized labor"
Propose Municipal System.
At the close OF the mass meeting held
at Central Park last night 2SO sigma.
lures were secured for a petition ad.
dressed to Mayor Roberts and the city
commission, asking that the question
be submitted to Ardmore voters wheth.
er or not the city of Ardmore shall is.
sue bonds for the purpose OF construct.
ing installing, maintaining and operat.
ing a municipal telephone system and
exchange. Speeches were made at the
meeting by r. X. Roland, chairman Of
the strike committee. and by Frank
stark. business manager Of the car.
penters' local.
we are out 10 win the fight for rec.
ognition and are going to fight the
hardest, cleanest fight we know how to
fight" That was the burden OF the
speeches delivered last night. The
state federation Of labor Is TO assist in
the fight. Letters are now being writ.
ten at the headquarters OF the state
federation OF labor. nj Oklahoma City.
to every local affiliated with the fed.
Grafton asking that all union men have
their phone service discontinued II the
trouble In Apdmore is not adjusted al
once" Mr. Roland said. Dates for the
statewide removal have not been def.
nitely set"
Picketing is to continue In Ardmore
along the same lines announced at the
beginning OF the dispute.