The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-05-02
SAY WILL Be NO
TELEGRAPH STRIKE
VIII Await Decision Of Western Union
and Postal Men Before War
Labor Board.
w. L. REFUSES TO STOP LAYoFTs
President of the Commercial Telc-
Sraphers' Union Refuses TO Sane
ton Walkout OF Opcrator~-Wants
to show Labor Is LOYAL.

Washington. May There will be
no strike of commercial telegraph
operators pending the appearance of
Representatives OF Western Union and
Postal Telegraph companies next
Wednesday. before the national war
Ia Dor board.
Announcement TO this effect was
made tonight by S. J.. konenkamp,
president of the Commercial -Tele-
sraphers' union. following earnest So
l~icitation Of the board.
Early in the day the Western Union
had hatly refused the request OF the
BOARD that il stop d~ischarging union
employees pending an adjustment Of
the dispute.
The labor members of the ma
tional wal labor board have urged me
not TO sanction a strike despite the
attitude OF the telegraph companies
in refusing to establish a truce be-
tween now and next Wednesday and
! have consented TO await the decision
OF the labor board" said Mr.. Konen-
kamp tonight.
The Ia hor members laid stress
upon the necessity OF complying with
the presidents proclamation even
though such a course involved even
greater n more extensive 1ockouts
than have already taken place. so
that 1t might be shown to the nation
that labor is loyal TO the government
at all times. In taking this step I
realize that il will meet with some
criticism from our members. who re-
sent the arrogant attitude oil the off -
Gals OF the Western Union and Postal
Telegra ph companies. The assurance
that the board has the power to sus-
tain its decision, however, will give
our DAonlA anhfanoa fha 4hntr rk~bfa
will be recognized in the end"
Carlton Makes Reply.
The refusal OF the Western Union
10 abide by the request OF the board
was delivered by Newcomh Carlton,
president Of the company. He is un-
derstood to have spoken also for the
Postal company.
Carlton was called on the long dis
tance telephone by VILLA m Fl. Taft.
or the hoard. and asked &c agree that
his company maintain the status
quo" not to dismiss any more men
because OF their union Affiliations.
Cartons reply was telegra phed.
He said he did not feel there was any
reason for a change in the attitude OF
his company. The Postal company
is understood to have assumed the
same position.
Carlton agreed 10 appear before the
Spafd next Wednesday morning TO
present the Western Unions side
Edward Reynolds. vice president oil
the Postal, also will be present.
Following this. Konenkamp was
called into closed conference with the
labor members OF the board. follow.
ing which he announced that there
would be no strike.
Operators Meet on Sunday.
Further organization meetings wtt
be held by the operators in all Of the
larger cities Of the country next sun
day. h men now claim they hav.
enough members to cripple the com.
mercaal ompanies and new member
are coming in constantly.
The companies reiterated TO tn,
board that their huSin ess is not ma
teriafy affected by the trouble ant
they anticipate no serious difficulty If
the event of = strike.
The lockout inaugurated Sunda,
continued today. k~onenkamp said
Large numbers of men and women a.
over the country are being dis.
charged.