Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-18
Western Union
Spurns u. S. Plan
Continued from Page One

unanimous conclusion. If II cannot
do this, then it shall select an umpire.
board. review the issues and render
his award
In view Of this required procedure.
| think we are entitled to state the
facts. which are that the Taft-Walsh
plaza. wr'ch has been rAfs rrCd - a.
the decision of the board. was rejected
by the board under the above pro.
Cedure by five votes. Following this
failure of unanimous action, tiicrc was
10 appointment Of an umpire. and.
therefore. under the prescribed no
ceduIe Of the board itself no ierisun.
Not to share Responsibilt%
We desire to be perfectly fair with
YOU. sir, as we have been with the
board We are not favorable Ia
sharing the responsibility Of conduit
ing q great public service. with the
peculiar features of the telegraph,
which the eXigencies of the war have
increased MANIFOLD, with members uf
an outside organization. whose inter"
ests are personal rather than public.
Under the plan of Mr.. Walsh. con-
Cured in by Mr.. Taft. an outside
union. which has for many years been
frankly hostile To the company. would,
under the preteXt of war emergency.
waive its rights to strike during the
war but carry on propaganda for
the purpose of enlisting sufficient of
the company's employees for no possible
result lndt II COul0 attain during the
war. but only that II might furnish
the nucleus for the disorganization of
our service through demoralized dis.
cipline and the use of the strike inn
mediately after the eXigencies OF the
wsr had ceased and released II from
its promises. As indicative of the
character and temper of this union.
permit me to quote the following
words from an official circular issued
ny 1ynt IT, calling meeting in Chicago for
sary.' u '''N
Aim at Continued Service
Il need nol remind you. sir, that
the primary obligations of a tele-
graph service are to provide CON
tinuity and competence. and that we
desire TO protect these essentials not
only during this emergency. but at
all times. To this end there are. it
One. compulsory arbitration, which
as we recall. you urged upon Congress
at the time the great railway strike
was imminent. The other is found
in the suggestion OF our employees
that they form their own union or
organization. upon the theory that the
normal relationship between employer
and cmploye Is that Of peace and mu-
. tual cooperation in the adjustment
of their relations and nol that of
OIL llt' anu tiidl d spirit OIL nOSllllly
and efforts of warfare are not neCes-
sary for industrial progress or the
adjustment Of mutual relations
Distinction In Unions
Now that our employees have deter
mined upon their own association
am sure they would be glad to hay
the advice and counsel of the Nations
War Labor Board in the formation {
! their organization. to the end that,
may be representative of the employe
interests. as well as free from any il
| f1uenCe that might limit its effective
ness in dealing with the rights an
privileges of the employees. Nothin
| that can be accomplished by the Walsh
Taft plan is not accomplished by I'll
employees association, but there is th
! important distinction-that unionisf
under conditions of coercion and hos
! tlity is not the same thing as I'll
! right to bargain collectively, rigf
which is given the employees by the
J association.
I'VE ask you TO believe that OF
! view is based upon "A most careful r,
examination of our experience in III
operation of telegraph service. Thei
! is no dispute between the company an
its employees over pay or hours
labor. There is no likelihood of a Strik
Of our employees, Il body of men an
, women OF high patriotism, who hay
! borne great burdens unCompla iningl
rs part of their contribution to III
nations cause"
The letter places the matter squareI
/ before the President for decision