New-York tribune., 1919-06-09
Thomas, Telegraphers'
Leader, Says People
Must Stand Cost No
Matter How Bad Tie-up
.POstoMce Head
Bitterly Scored
Charge Made That Feder-
al Power Is Invoked to
Aid in Crushing Labor

The United States government will
be obliged to bear any loss which may
result from the nationwide wire strike,
called for day after tomorrow, Percy
Thomas, deputy international president
of the Commercial Telegraphers'
Union, declared here last night.
Attacking Postmaster General Burle-
son, who, he said, returned the operat-
ing control of the wires to their own
ers because he feared a strike and
"preferred to have it take place under
the auspices of the companies, so that
it wouldn't hurt the Democratic admin
istration," Mr.. Thomas pointed out
that, under existing financial arrange
ments, the guarantees the government
is bound to give the companies would
reimburse them for any loss they may
sustain by virtue of the strike"
Says United States Pays Cost
'In other words, the government
pays the cost of crushing labor" said
Mr.. Thomas. "Mr. Burleson, who has
worked hand-in-hand with the Vail
Carlton interests, hands them back the
wires so that they can fight labor as
hard as they wish at the expense of the
government"
| Under the present arrangement the
government pays all operating and
maintenance expenses Of the COM
panies, as we'll as interest on bonds,
and is pledged to compensate the West
ern Union Company with $8,OOO,OOO an
nually, sum sufficient to enable the
company to pay per cent interest on
Its capital stock and to expend $1,000
600 for wire extensions. The American
Telephone and Telegraph Company was
guaranteed approximately $65,00O, 900
annually, which will enable it to pay
per cent on it's stock. The Postal
system was awarded S1,680,OOo an
nually, which it is now contesting as
inadequate and confiscatory The fore
going figures were furnished last night
by William j. Deegan, of the Postal
system.
Incomes Assured
The companies are assured these in
comes, no matter what tie-up may en-
sue, Mr.. Thomas said, adding:
"lf the Western Union system goes
dead for three months, the government
would still provide the company with
its guarantees, thus giving it funds
with which to fight labor"
The union official attacked Mr..
Burleson's administration of the wires,
declaring that under the Postmaster
General government operation never
had a chance" and that "men opposed
to public ownership were put in charge
of the wires by man processing be-
lief in government ownership"
Government messages, general public
business and newspaper dispatches, Mr..
Thomas declared, were delayed "to the
I limit Of the day" under Mr.. Burleson s
regime, adding that if good wages and
proper treatment had been given wire
employees excellent service could have
been furnished every day during the
war period.
Government Pays Bill
Mr.. Thomas's statement follows:
"Newcomb Carlton, president of the
Western Union Company, says the
Commercial Telegraphers' Union has a
membership of ITO in the United
States. We have more than that num-
ber in his main Office in New York
City. do not care to state how many
members we have in the Eastern sec
ton, which includes New York and the
New England states, but prefer to
abide by Mr.. Cartons famous phrase
Time will tell.'
"The union appreciates exactly why
Mr.. Burleson last week returned
operating control of the wires to Mr.
Carlton. He feared a strike would take
place and wanted it to take place un.
der the auspices Of the Western Union
company, so it wouldn't hurt the
Democratic Administration. Incident.
ally, the government pays the Western
Union guarantees, reimbursing it fol
any loss it may sustain by virtue Of
this very strike. This is true Of all
the. wire systems. Tho government
pays the cost Of crushing labor.
Mr.. Burleson, who has been work
ing hand-in-hand with the Vail-Carl
ton interests, hands them back the
wires 80 they can fight labor as hard
as they wish at the expense Of the
government.
Under his recent order the wire
operating board is abolished, and OF
course tho men operating that board
will so back to their remunerative
snaps with. the various companies. But
the wire control board will continue
The men on this board ara Mr.. Bur.
lesons. friends.
Government operation never had a
chance. Msn opposed to public own
ership were put In charge Of these
Oentinusd on p1gs tivss