Evening journal., 1918-07-06
v. j. CHIEFS YIELD
Strike PRIVILEGE
Agree to Formation of Union
With Inclusion of Walk
out Right
BIG CONCESSION
BY THE COMPANY

NEW YORK, July 6.-With the long
threatened and much advertised nation
wide telegraphers' strike scheduled TO
begin Monday morning, President New
comb Carlton has granted to his en-
ployes the privilege OF forming any
kind OF a union or association among
themselves they see ut. and TO embody
In its constitution a clause permitting
them to go out on strike II they desire.
Announcement TO this effect was made
last night by r. G. Miller and C. o. Pan
cake, employees Of the company who
have bee Inactive in the formation OF the
Association OF Western Union En-
ployes, which Is TO be perfected at a
convention in Chicago July 10.
Just how much Mr.. Carlton has yield
cd in granting this concession Is evi-
dent from the fact that up until recent
ly he was unalterably opposed~~to his
men joining or forming any organiza-
tiOn that used the strike as a weapon.
On June "a he placed himself on record
20 this effect in the following state
ment:
I'VE say that our men shall not Join
a union that employs n strike. II they
believe IL Ia unlon) affords them pro-
lection, we've got 10 give them some
equal or better protection, without the
jeopardy OF a strike, and give them the
right OF collective bargaining. This Is
not a plan to fight union, but TO give
our people what they are entitled to
aud never Naturalization and protec-
tion against tyranny
The idea OF the new organization
with the inclusion Of the strike clause,
It was said last night, originated not
with Mr.. Carlton but with a group Of
employees OF the company in Chicago,
1000 OF whom signed the petition which
was forwarded to the President The
employees. It was added, believe impllc-
itly in Mr.. Cartons good faith in
granting this petition and intend to
give the new scheme a two weeks
trial IT, however. there are any cvl2
denGes Of insincerity on the part OF the
company after this period OF grace the
employees viii Join the Commercial
Telegraphers' Union Of America, accord
ing to Mr.. Miller, who will attend the
convention in Chicago az one OF the
two delegates from the Western Union
ONCE in this city.
I'VE believe Mr.. Carlton IS on the
square with US and we are going to
organize the Association OF Western
Union Employees on that assumption"
said Mr.. Miller. THAT association Will
be. 10 all lntents and purposes a labor
union. We will know after two
weeks, whether the Western Union Is
on the square with its employees, but II
we ind after that time that II is trying
10 bunco all OF its employees and the
United states Government as well, we
will be ready to a man to Join the c. T..
u. OF A Until that time I'VE think we
are capable OF taking care OF our OVID
affairs.
"The Idea OF organizing the Associa-
tion Of Western Union Employees orig
mated in the ranks Of the company's
employees. Mr.. Carlton told them they
were free to form a union and issued
tentative suggestions for its organlza-
ton on June 1. These suggestions,
however. were not thoroughly under
stood and a committee OF employees
was appointed to call on Mr.. Carlton
recently. They were then told that
they might organize any kind Of an as
sociatlon or union they saw flt and II
they wanted the strike clause included
they could have il, for they might need
H."