Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-06-15
CLAIMS FAR APART
AS TO WIRE STRIKE
No Inconvenience, Compa-
MES Say-Communication
Paralyzed, Union Asserts.
K0NENKAMP SEES TlE-UP
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
CHICAGO, June 14.-With officials
of the commercial telegraph compa-
MES claiming that the order to rail-
road telegraphers to discontinue
handling commercial telegraph bust
ness had caused virtually no incon-
venience, strike leaders tonight as
serted that telegraphic communica-
ton with some $4,000 towns and
cssies had shssp. parsassss easssNsss
Omcials OF the Commercial Teisgra-
phers Union Of America. who are DE-
recting the nationwide strike Of COM
mercial operators. claimed that the
small amount Of Western Union tele-
grams moved over railroad wires had
suffered delays of from six to eight
hours. They further claimed their re-
ports showed great congestion OF
commercial business at points that
relay over railroad wires.
Say $4,000 Are obeying Order.
The headquarters of the Order Of
Railroad Telegraphers in st. Louis
also announced that reports indicated
the order to refuse commercial BUSH
ness had been carried out by the So
900 members of the organization.
Postal Telegraph Company officials
stated that the order did not affect
that company, which transmits only
small part of it's business over rail-
road wires.
Report Few Following Orders.
Oficers of the Association Of West
ern Union Employees, which represents
65 per cent Of the workers of that
company. said their reprots showed
that the railroad operators had. with
few exceptions, failed to follow the
Instructions Of their union leaders.
Members of the association did, how
ever, wire E. J. Manion. head OF the
Order of Railway Telegraphers. ask
ing that the instructions be rescinded.
The telegram sent to headquarters Of
the organization at st. Louis explain
ed that the Western Union men were
not on strike and that the order
nlaced the railroad telegraphers on
record as opposing the Western Union
workers.
A reply was received asking whether
the Association Of Western Union
Employees was a union organization
and SO recognized by unionists." 1t
requested that reference along this
line be furnished.
Officers of the Association Of West
ern Union Employees expressed the
belief that the reply had not come
from Mr.. Manion. but from some ir-
responsible who had drafted the reply
without authority. The message then
was sent to Mr.. Manion direct at
Atlantic City. N. j.
$4,000 Out, Konenkamp Says.
Claims and counter claims were
made AS to the extent of the strike.
The commercial companies announced
that they were accepting business
without restrictions as to delivery
and operating on normal basis. S. ].
Konenkamp, international president
of the commercial telegraphers. who
are striking for 1.-The right Of collec-
tive bargaining" and for certain wage
adjustments. placed the number Of
strikers at not less than $4,000. He
asserted that the strike is spreading
hourly" and the tie-up will be COM
Meta early next week.
Calling off of the electrical workers
strike which had been set for Monday,
following an order issued by Post
master General Burleson permitting
telephone employees the right to bar
gain with their employers and to or
ganize, will only lend encouragement
to the striking commercial teleg-
raphers, Mr.. Konenkamp asserted to-
night.
A referendum Is being taken among
operators Of the brokers division to
determine whether they shall join the
strike in sympathy. it was announced.