Evening journal., 1918-06-03
TELECRAPHERSS
NOW Seems CERTAIN
Western Unions Refusal to
Permit Men TO Join Union
Precipitatss Trouble
10000 WORKERS
MAY BE AFFECTED
BY The United Press.

BY The United Press.
WASHINGTON, June. SIS. ]. Konen-
Ramp, president OF the Commercial
Telesraphers' Union. was TO appear
here today for a conference with sam
uel Gompers. president Of The Ameri-
can Federation Of Labor. before call
ing strike OF 5000 tclegraphers fol
lowing the refusal Of the Western
Union Company to permit their men
TO join the union.
The matter has been before the Ma
tional War Labor Board for several
weeks, and pending mediation efforts
Of William Howard Taft and Frank p.
Walsh, Joint chairmen OF the board,
konenkamp refused 20 call a strike, de-
spite threats from several divisions OF
the union 10 strike Independently. Fol
towing the request Of the board to the
Western Union 10 'abide by the princi-
pies contained in the Presidents
proclamation against dlschargtng union
men," the telegraph company dis
charged more employees and yesterday
decided definitely not TO support the
board in its policy.
NEW YORK. June s.-The National
War Labor Board announced yes
terday that u had found the
Western Union Company unwilling 20
conform with the principles OF The
board in the matter OF relations be
tween employers and employees. and.
therefore, the board could not mediate
the question ~ the discharge OF more
than 500 employees OF ne Western
Union Company because they had in
sisted upon Joining a union. Being
without power 90 take any action on
It's decision, the National War Labor
Board considered 1t advisable 70 go no
further than 10 make public its report
on the results OF the deliberations,
Indicating therein TO the public its re-
port on the results OF the refusal OF
the Western Union Company 90 accept
a proffered compromise upon which a
satisfactory settlement might have
been reached
The attitude Of the Western Union
Company stirred labor leaders yester-
day 10 immediate action. Not only was
II announced that confidential instruo-
tlons would be sent al once 20 tele-
graphers in 200 cities to prepare for
general strike ON short notice, but
campaign was begun for immediate leg
lslation that would place the telegraph
lines under federal control. 6. J. KO-
nenkamp, OF New York, president of
the Commercial Telegraphers Union OF
America, left for. Washington last night,
stating before his departure that he
was on his way 20 attend a conference
with President Gompers OF the Aneri-
can Federation OF Labor before declar-
lng a strike.
Mr.. Konenkamp said a strike might
be declared against the Postal Tele-
graph and Commercial Cable Company
as well as the Western Union n that
company shows no more favorable dis
position toward its workers than had
been shown by the Western Union
He predicted that the strike. II declared
would Involve about 10000 commercial
operators. and that 10000 railroad
operators would not be asked 90 strike.
but would be requested not 20 handle
Western Union messages. This conces-
sion. he declared, would be made In
order that the strike might interfere as
little as possible with war work
Newromb Carlton. president OF the 1
Western Union Telegraph Company. |
said OF the boards report:
The National War Labor Board has
no legal power to enforce its decision, i
but none Of its previous decisions has
been questioned. The board was ere /
sted without compulsory powers by
President Wilson's proclamation a
l. La. A. Nrff
And / do hereby urge upon all en- |
ployers and employees within the United
States the necessity OF utilizing the
means and methods thus provided for
the adjustment Of the industrial dis
putes, and request that during the
pending OF mediation or arbitration
through the said means and methods
there shall be no dlscontinuance Of In
duslrial operations which would result
in curtallment OF the production Of war
necessities"
shortly after the discharge Of the
Western Union employees, William How
ard TAFT and Frank p. Walsh, Joint
chairmen OF the National War Labor
Board, were designated by the board
az a committee TO attempt mediation
and Cancellation on Saturday they re-
turned 10 the board with q report on
their activities, IN which they Informed
the board that the Western Union de-
cllned TO accept a compromise settle
mpnt. and would not recognize the jur-
isdlctlon OF the board 20 mediate the
mIestlon between the company and It's
employees any further.
The Western Union. according 10 the
report, held strictly 30 the principle
that Il would IN no circumstances rec
ognlze rs employees as members OF the
Commercial Telegraphers' Union. New
comb Carlton. president OF the Wst-
ern Union, informed the mediators that
the company reached the conclusion
thst the government and the public
could not be assured an uninterrupted
and competent telegraph service II tele-
eraph operators were members Of the
q. 4. L. According 10 Mr.. Carlton, the
company was willing 10 put II 10 the
vote OF IT'S employees as TO whether
thew wished 10 become members OF the
C. T. U. II the majority voted yes,
Mr.. Carlton stated, the company would
withdraw It's objection to that union
and membershlp would no longer be
cause for dismissal, but, on the other
hand, the company would not recog-
nize the union OF feel called upon 10
deal with the officers Of the union as
such. II the majority voted no,
then the present policy OF the oom-
pany respecting membership OF its en-
ployes in the C. T. U, would be con-
tinued.