New-York tribune., 1918-05-03
Labor Bureau Is to Ques-
tion Western Union
and Postal
War Programme First
Right of Workers to Organize
Recognized; Can't Be
Discharged
staff Correspo7,de7,ce]

WASHINGTON, May 2. - The War
Labor Board will not countenance the
arbitrary and defiant position taken by
graph companies in the controversy
with their employees, now before the
board, and will take drastic steps to
compel adherence by the companies to
the national labor programme If such
action is necessary.
The right of workers to organize is
recognized in the national programme
promulgated by the War Labor Board,
it was pointed out to-day. In public
statement issued by the board and sub
scquently approved by the President
it is stated that this fright shall not
be denied, abridged or interfered with
by employers in any manner whatso-
ever" The national labor programme
further stipulatcs: employers should
not discharge workers for membership
in trade unions nor for legitimate
trade union activities.
This definition Of policy leaves no
room for compromise, it is pointed
out, with the telegraph companies on
the chief subject matter Of the present
controversy. unless the War Labor
Board repudiates its own programme.
This is considered most unlikely.
Carlton Criticised
Newcomb Carlton, president of the
Western Union Company, who yester-
day refused to comply with the War
Labor Boards request that the COM
pany refrain from discharging union
employees until after the board had
passed on the merits of the controversy
between the company and its employees,
was to-day the target for most severe
criticism in official circles.
While the War Labor Board declined
to officially comment on Mr.. Cartons
action, it can be said that individual
members of the board, particularly
those representing capital, have con-
demned Mr.. Cartoons action to him
personally in no uncertain terms. The
embarrassment of the Western Union
head was considerably increased by the
announcement from S. j. Konenkamp,
PRESIDENT OIL LHo OOluIlleICldA Ic1e6 q
piers Union, that he would not sane
ton a strike of union telegraphers
pending the decision of the War Labor
Board.
Mr.. Konenkamp took this action after
learning that the War Labor Board
had authority to summon President
Carlton to appear on May 8 to present
the company's side of the controversy
and had further authority to enforce
its decision.
Taft Spoke His Mind
President Carlton is charged by
members of the War Labor Board with
taking most unpatriotic stand in the
present controversy. His public state
ment in New York yesterday, it is COM
petently asserted, broke q pledge given
Chairman Taft of the Labor Board that
no public announcement would be made
either by the board or the parties in
dispute until after the hearing on May
s. 1t is understood that former Presi-
dent Taft made this phase of the situa-
tion the occasion for some very strong
comment to the Western Union head.
1t is probable that the War Labo,
Board will issue temporary order
the Western Union or Postal Tele-
graph companies be dismissed for
union afiliation until decision in the
controversy is reached. The Western
Union Company is charged by repre-
sentatives of its employees with lock
ing out approximately 600 men during
the last three weeks. This practice is
continuing, it is said, despite the fact
that the company some months age
requested exemption from military
service for its employees on the ground
that there was shortage of operators
and that they were Indispensable to
the government war work.
No explanation for President Carl
toms action could be secured at the
War Labor Board Representatives OF
the telegraphers' union ventured the
opinion that the Western Union head
wished, to bring about government
operation Of the telegraph companies
Strike Threat Looms
Union leaders here expressed the
hope that a decision on the matter in
controversy would be issued promptly
by the War Labor Board next week
1t will be impossible to prevent strikes
unless early action is taken, it is
stated.
Members of the War Labor Board
are equally alive to the serious posi-
bility of widespread sympathetic
strikes affecting important branches of
the war programme in the event the
telegraph dispute is not promptly ad-
lusted. For this reason, it is expected
the board will not hesitate to take
Ndrastic action, if that is necessary.