The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1918-06-14
REJECT WAR BOARDS
OFFER TO ARBITRATE

NEW 1ORh, June Cine con-
troversy arising between the off
Gals of the Western Union Tcle-
graph company and the representa-
tives of the Commercial Telegraph
ers' Union over the discharge of its
members by the company because
they joined the union, has been fl
nally disposed of by the national
war labor board, to which President
S. J. Konekamp of the Commercial
photographers Union, referred it,
hoping thereby to avert a threaten
ed strike that might have involved
a large number of the telegraph OPP
orators of the entire country. In
agreeing to accept the findings of
the board he pledged himself to use
every possible influence to induce the
members of the union to fully COM
ply with it, in order to prevent the
development of any serious inter-
ferences with telegraphic communi-
cation or in any way hamper the
government in the transportation of
troops or the shipping of war sup
plies.
The Western Union Telegraph
Company, when approached on the
proposition to submit the dispute to
arbitration, refused to give its as
sent or agree to be in any way
bound by any finding of the board
after full hearing on the dis
puted points at issue. 1t did, how
ever, offer it's objections to its en-
plOyes becoming members of the
union, and was persistent in refusing
to reinstate those who had been dis
missed for their union activities, a
policy the company has relentlessly
pursued for years past.
The labor war board, through
Frank p. Walsh and William H.
Taft. who represent the public, call
ed a special executive session in this
city for the purpose of arriving at
4 decision on the disputed points
despite the fact that the Western
Union telegraph Company had flat
ly and positively refused to submit
its side of the dispute for the con-
sidelation of the board
When the board urged Newcomh
Carlton and Chairman Virgins of
the executive board of the directors
of the company to be represented at
the boards hearing and make de-
Tense, they refused to recognize its
jurisdiction. Finding that the COM
pany was unwilling to render any
assistance that might lead to an
amicable adjustment, report was
made to the full board with a rec
ommcndation that vote be taken
on the approval or disapproval of
the proposition submitted to the
company.
1t being clearly proven that the
company would make no concessions
whatever that might lead up to an
adjustment, the boards joint chair
men submitted recommendation
disappearing the policy of the COM
nany and asked the board to APP
prove their action. That was done.
The five representatives of labor
and the two representing the public
voted to sustain the contention of
The telegraphers for the reinstate-
ment of men who had been dis
charged. The representatives of
the employers voted to support the
action of the company nj declining
The recognize the boards jurisdic-
ion in the controversy.
President Konenkamp stated that
the refusal of the employers on the
board to agree to a decision based
on the principles laid down for the
guidance of the national labor war
board. and the refusal of the presi-
dent of the company to abide by the
decision rendered by the board, may
result in strike of the employees of
the company to enforce the decision
rendered.