New-York tribune., 1918-06-03
compers Will Appeal to
wilson to Avert Teleg-
raphers' Strike
Company Denies
Right to Organize
Will Stand by Position,
Despite War Board,
Says Carlton

| Tho Western Union Telegraph
lr0np.ny has refused to recognize the
,nri.d,ction Of the National War Labor
BOARD. 1t will not follow the recon-
..nd.tion Of the Board, which was
made public yesterday, and cease dis
.h.,oinr its employees for joining q
,.hor organization. So an appeal Will
,,w he made to President Wilson, as
~. court of last resort, to prevent a
nationwide strike.
This appeal will be made through
c.uuel Gompers, president OF the
American Federation of Labor. At Mr..
Comuers's request by telephone from
Washington yesterday S. j. Konen-
,.mc International president of the
commercial Telegraphers Union OF
America, held up orders to put into
effect the strike, voted some time ago.
Mr. Konenkamp left New York for
Washington last night and will see
Mr.. Gompers this morning.
Before he left he told reporters that
anv strike order would affect men en-
Moved in the Postal Telegraph Com
pany as we'll az all men on government
work.
sIf the Western Union can lock out
men engaged on war work because
they join the union" said he, "it is
clear that the union has the right to
order men SO engaged TO strike. What
is sauce for the goose is sauce for the
gander"
Say Company Will Not Yield
President Carlton Of the Western
Union said last night that the com
psny intended to stand by its position
declaring that If it should come to a
question of allowings its members to
join the Commercial Telegraphers
Union or turning the company's prop
erty over to the government he would
advise the directors to choose the latter
course.
This position. he said, did not mean
that the company or himself was op-
posed to the principle of collective bar
gaining, but because it felt that it
could not maintain a continuous ser
wee If its employees were permitted to
JOIN any organization which included
the strike among its weapons to secure
collective bargaining.
Our position" said he, "is that of
tie Postofice Department"
reminded that postal employees have
aoor organizations, Mr. Carlton re-
lefred to Postmaster General Burle-
SONS declaration against this as CON
trary to law.
But, said a reporter, "you have
among your employees many members
l y the Order of Railway Telegraphers
VINO no use the strike as a weapon"
That said he, sis true. But these
employees are not in a position to
seriously interfere with the business
the company; they are not essen
me Commercial Telegraphers Union
would be-
Strike Question Brought Forward
The strike question. in allegiance
snee the National War Labor Board
.osmed by President Wilson to pre-
s"e industrial peace during the war
~ brought to the front by the pub
sssIon Of the report Of the board OF
Mfsilure of its efforts to bring about
aaeeful adjustment. As stated in
'M Tribune yesterday, the board by a
We Of to had upheld the rights OF
snsloyes TO organize.
o,!s,aie report, written by ex-President
wwa,'iam Howard Taft, with Frank P
as,sh, the representative of the gen.
va s.s public on the board, made public
iisss;esday, shows that the Western
TTs'oa rejected proposal made by Mr.
sGs., G involving the reinstatement Of
sasployes discharged for joining The
nss.on, the abandonment of the com.
NAYS policy of so discharging EN-
AYES and that the company recognize
~ ~ !uli right of its employees to or.
ssssue ssse Tor collective bargaining. In re.
,,stne sa the company was to be guaranteed
'sS'ast any strike.
soSewcomb Carlton, president of the
saSYpany.. rejected this proposal, anc
yesa yesaiged one involving a referendum
wos,S s 81 ITS employees as to whether the,
fos-s 'oin the union now existing ol
mna one TO be made up wholly of com
rT employees, which should bind it
sts..hoe NOT to strike under any circum
fs,aSs. In the event of the employe!
sonaa an outside union the compan,
sssl' sl'a . not recognize it in any way o.
.ent..;lIn wlIn its own employees as repre-
sa'ssves Of the union.
MIR. Taft's Reply
4 Ssa S' counter proposal was disposed
n dr..: telegram from Mr.. Taft, ad
Il Cki.ssSu 70 Mr. Carlton and sent from
j sYs0 YAK last Monday, in which he said;
Blssss1 oeny to majority of your EN-.
n.ls 4 sas other hand. think the nronosa
/ - walsh and presented by me
! .-s.'axed on Page 4, Colamm ~