The sun., 1918-07-08
WIREMEN HALT
STRIKE TO LET
CONGRESS- ACT
Labor Secretary Wilson's
Last. Minute Plea Prevents
Walkout To-day.
GOMPERS SENDS APPEAL
Telegraphers Told They Will
Imperil Own Cause by TAX
ing Hasty Action.
GOMPERS SENDS APPEAL

WARRINGTON, July 1.--1ndehnite post
ponement OF the strike OF telegraphers
employed by the Western Union Tele-
graph Company, called to begin to-mor-
row, was announced tonight by Seere-
tary OF Labor Wilson after he had con-
ferred ovef the long distance telephone
with s. j. Konenkamp. president Of the
Commercial Telegraphers Union.
Secretary Wilson said that Mr.. Konen-
kamp, who is in Chicago. had given every
assurance TO him that the strike order
would not be put into effect tomorrow
and that the walkout would be postponed
indefinitely. 1t was understood that the
union president agreed to this course
because Consress now Is considering a
resolution authorizing the President to
take over and operate during the war
all telegraph. telephone. cable and radio
systems
Final Efforts to stay strike.
In final effort to avert the strike Mr..
Wilson sent to Mr.. Konenkamp a tele-
gram to-day urging delay and later
called in Samuel Gompers. president Of
the American Federation Of Labor. who
also sent telegram to the union pres
ident urging postponement Of the strike.
Later Mr.. Wilson got into communica-
ton with Konsnkamp on the telephone.
Mr.. Wilson'S telegram 10 Mr.. Konen-
kamp said:
Il earnestly request. in view Of the
general situation and the imperative
necessity of avoiding interference with
the prompt transmission OF communica-
tlons which may be OF vital importance
In the prosecution of the war, that steps
to prevent any strike be taken until
can have a conference with you and
others. Since the strike vote OF your
organization was taken the circum-
stances surrounding the situation have
materially changed.
You know that ii 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 is now dealing with
the subject and undoubtedly exact JUS
tice will be done all ths parties at in
terest This request is made in the In
terest of our country. feel sure II will
be needed by you"
Gompers Also Advises Delay.
Mr., Gompers's telegram follows:
This afternoon Secretary Wilson OF
the Department OF Labor invited me to
confer with him In regard td the threat
ened telegraphic situation and he showed
me the telegram he sent you. am in
entire accord with the views he ex-
presses. A strike of the telegraphers at
this time and while there is a fair
chance for an early. fair and honorable
adjustment, would be most unfortunate,
and generally held to be unjustifiable
and perhaps defeat its very objects.
You. as well az the telegraphers,
know how thoroughly am in accord
with you and them In the proven and
admitted wrongs the telegraphers have
endured. and my earnest desire to have
the wrong rectified and to avoid any
hindrance to our Governments war pro-
gramme. even in the slightest is my
warrant TO urge you TO at once exercise
your every power 10 postpone the strike
for time and give every agency the op-
portunity OF making good and doing JUS
tice."
The strike OF the telegraphers was
called after the Western Union COM
pany had refused to accept decisions OF
the National War Labor Board on COM
plants of employees of the company
that they had been dismissed because
they affiliated with the union