The Washington herald., 1918-07-08
FUTURE HANGS ON
FATE OF WIRE BILL
Phone Talk with Chicago
! Forestalls Walk-out
Set for Today.
SENATORS SAID TO FEAR
HIGH TELEGRAPH RATES
May Amend Resolution for Govern
- ment Control to Provide
Against Increase.

kamp, president of the Commercial
Telesraphers' Union Of America,
, tonight announced that the strike
called against the Western Union
Telegraph Company and set for
tomorrow morning had been de-
ferred. He took action following
a request for the delay from Sec
retary of Labor Wilson.
The commercial telcgraphers'
strike has been postponed, pend
ing acton by Congress to give
the President authority to take
over the lines.
Action to this effect came late
last evening, after Secretary of
Labor Wilson, at the instance of
President Wilson. had made spe-
cial request of S. J. Konenkamp,
president of the Commercial
Telegraphers' Union.
Secretary Wilson allied Konen-
kamp on the 1ong-distance tele-
phone at Chicago. where he was
even then in conference with
union leaders laying the final
plans for the walkout in the morn
ing.
Secretary Wilson had been
working on the situation since
J o'clock in the afternoon, and
was understood to have been in
conference at the White House.
Read kilograms on Phone.
His request to Konenkamp was
backed up by Samuel Gompers,
president Of the American Fedora
ton of Labor. kilograms from Sec
retary Wilson and Gompers to Kon-
epkamp had been prepared when
the Secretary got the telegraphers'
head on the wire. He read both.
and Konenkamp assured him that as
soon as they were received formal
action would be taken. Konenkamp
said he would have to consult his
committee then in session and also
would have to telegraph to his New
York committee.
After further conversation, the
secretary announced that Konen-
kapm had assured him that the
strike call prepared for this morn
ing would be withdrawn and that
) Congress would be given time to
complete its deliberation in the
matter. The House has already
passed the resolution authorizing
the President to take over. the lines
n and the Senate Interstate Commerce
kEommittee Is planning hearings on
L. 1t was expected at the Capitol
Nfast night when Congress adjourned
over Sunday that It would take the
Senate about two weeks to COM
4 pIete its Investigations.
What They Wired.
rhe message which Secretary Will
son read to Konenkamp over the tele-
phone and later telegraphed him fol-
low. His own was:
II earnestly request, in view of the
general situation. and the imperative
necessity OF avoiding interference with
y the prompt transmission of communi-
cations which may be of vital import
auC6 NlC PAOocCullOh OL lhc wal
that steps to prevent any strike be
7 taken, until / can have conferences
with you and others. Since the strike
vote Of your organization was taken,
the circumstances surrounding the sit
Duation have materially changed. You
know that IL Is generally agreed and
that the President several times has
declared that IN this crucial time no
: strike is justified II any other means
of adjusting grievances are available
or In sight. The Congress Il now deal
ing with the subject and undoubted-
Iy exact Justice win be done all the
parties at interest. This request Is
made in the interest Of our country. I
feel sure IL win be needed by you"
The message of Samuel Gompers
read:
This afternoon Secretary Wilson,
OF the Department of Labor, invited
me to confer with him in regard to
the threatened telegraph. situation
and he showed me the telegram he
Eep< y1u- I am in entire accord with
the <&ws he expresses. A strike OF
the Iclegraphers at. this time and
VII there is q fair chance for an.
esrI< fair and honorable adjustment
w6Hd be most unfortunate and gem
cosrIsuED ON PAGE THREE. =