Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-07-08
STRIKE CALLEDOFF
BY TELEGRAPHERS
OF WESTERN UNION
Action Follows Telephone
Conference of Leaders
With Secretary Wilson.
PROBABLE ACTION OF U. S.
CONGRESS Is CONSIDERED
President Gornpers Also Prevails
Upon Konenkamp to
Halt Walkout.
DECLARES ACTION is UNFAIR
Promise Every Effort Will BE Made
TO Have All Wrongs Endured
by Men Rectifi
PROBABLE ACTION OF U. S.
CONGRESS Is CONSIDERED
DECLARES ACTION is UNFAIR
Promise Every Effort Will BE Made
TO Have All Wrongs Endured
by Men Rectfficd.


WASlJ1NCiTON. July 7.-Indoiin!te
poStponemcntN Of the strike OF tclc.
Graphers employed by tho Western
Union Telegraph Company, called to
begin tomorrow, was announced to.
night by Secretary of Labor Wilson
after he had conferred over the long
distance telephone with s. ]. konen-
kamp. president OF the Commercial
TeleSrapherS' Union.
Secretary Wilson said that Mr. kon-
cnkamp. who is In Chicago. had given
him every assurance that the strike
order would not be put into effect to-
morrow. and that any walkout would
be postponed indefinitely. II was un-
ders'ood that the union president
agreed TO this course because Congress
row i3 considering new resolution
authorizing tho President to take over
and operate during the war all tclc-
graph. telephone. cable and radio
s,stems
In a final onnr, 10 aver, tho strike.
Mr.. Wilson sent MIR. konenkamp a
'eicEram to-day urging delay and later
called In Samuel Gompers. president OF
the American Federation OF Labor.
who also sent a telegram to the union
president urging postponcmcnt Of the
strike. Later Mr.. Wilson got into COM
munication with Mr.. koncnkamp on
the telephone. Mr.. Wilson's telegram
to Mr.. konenkamp said:
II earnestly request. in view Of tho
general situation and the imperative
necessity OF avoiding Interference with
tho prompt trarsmiss!on of cofnmunica-
lions which may be of vital import
ance in the prosecution OF Tho war. that
steps to prevent amy strike be taken
rntil | can have a conference with YOU
and others. Since the strike vote OF
:our organization was taken the cir
cumstanccs surrounding the situation
have materially changed You know
mat IL IL generally agreed and that
me resident several times has de-
cared that in this crucial time no
strike Is JUSTIFIED IL any other means
OF adjusting grievances arc available
or In sight. The Congress is now deal.
'hS with the subject. and undoubtc,ily
exact justice viii be done an the
PaFtes al interest This request is
made in the interest Of our country.
'"el sure t Viii bc needed by you
PRESIDENT unMPEnS ALSO
SENDS ISiOS APrEAI.
MIR. Gompcrs's telegram follows:
This afternoon Secretary Wilson. o!
tac Department OF Labor, invited inc
TO confer with him in regard to the
threatened ;clcsraphic situation. and
nc showed me the telegram he sent
you. am In entire accord win! the
views he expresses. y strike OF ;hc
ieleEraphcrs at this time and while
'hcre is fair chance Tor an carly.
ialr and honorable Adjustment. would
oo most unfortunate. and generally
Eeid TO be unjustifia BILE and perhaps
-tfeat It's very objects. You, as we'll
as the teicsraphers. know how thor
ouShlS am IN accord with YOU and
''"h IN inc proven and admitted
wrongs the teicSrapilcra have endured.
ana my earnest desire TO have the
wrongs rcctificd and 10 avoid anv
h1nnrancc To our governments war
program even in the slightest is my
warrant 10 urge You to 1T once cXcr-
Csc your every power TO postpone the
sirikc for time and give every
agency the opportunity of msk;nC ro,,d
and doing Justice"
The strike of the tclcsraphe-s Vas
called after the Western Union re,c-
graph Company had refused T., scc,. -
the decisions of the National Var
Labor Board on complaints Of en-.
ployees of the company that they had
tecn dismissed because they affiliated
with the uniop