New-York tribune., 1919-07-03
Walkout of Telegraphers,
Which Began June IL,
Comes to an End; No
Concessions to Workers
Leader Blames Burleson
Failure to Receive the Sup
port Expected Is Given
as Reason for His Action

CHICAGO, July 2-The strike of
telegraphers, which began June II,
was called off at noon today by S. J..
Konenkamp, president of the CONNER
cial Telegraphers' Union of America.
President Konenkamp, who returned
from Washington this morning, called
off the strike after he had conferred
with other officials Of the Union.
kOnenkamp Issues Statement
statement addressed to the men,
bers of the organization by President
Konenkamp read in part:
when the present strike was de-
clared against the telegraph companies
under control of the wire adminstra-
tion it was understood that it would
not be made an endurance contest.
The strike was to be the final protest
against the unfair and unjust treat
ment we have received since August,
1918, at the hands of the wire adminis-
tration.
eve realized that in order to make this
protest effective it would be necessary
to make the strike sufficiently acute
to compel action. This does not seem
possible now either through our efforts
or the effort of others we relied upon
many who are vital,y interested in the
success of the strike, and they agree
with me that to submit the proposition
to vote of the membership would re-
suit in serious delay and disorganiza-
tion. Acting upon this conclusion, and
with a view to serving your best in
terests, I hereby declare the strike at
an end. and you are instructed to work
without further delay. You have
do
rights as American workingmen and
women.
Unfair Methods Charged
sYou have sought minimum of the
things which the present government
administration says all workers should
enjoy. You have not only been denied
these rights, but governmental agen-
cies have been used to prevent you
getting them by exercising your own
economic strength.
owe find that sending kilograms
from city to city in suit cases is now
permissible, although Western Union
officials were arrested for doing so a
year ago. We find that telegrams are
being mailed without restriction. The
telegraph officials say the government
is footing the strike losses, thereby
adding this factor to our opposing
forces.
eve are doubly unfortunate in hav-
ing to deal with governmental rep
resentative in the person of Mr.. Burl-
eson, who will yield no concession to
the workers unless it is forced from
him, and in not being able to muster
enough strength within our own ranks
to compel him to give us a square
deal. Despite all of his high sound
ing words, the fact remains that
Burleson has fought us and aided the
telegraph companies at every turn, and
his party must take the blame.
Renewed Struggle Predicted
"Our struggle of ever half a century
for the right to organize and 20 bar
gain collectively will have to be con-
tinued. The Western Union propa-
ganda of the past year prompted by
its paid agents has fooled too many Of
our co-workers into believing that
there is an easier way Of securing
justice than has been found by organ
lied labor through years of expert
ence. The Postal Telegraph officials
declined to furnish any tangible evil
different from what it has been in the
past years. This is deep disappoint-
ment to many who are really and truly
anxious to establish reciprocal rela-
tions between that company and the
union telegraph workers of the United
States and Canada.
"The future, however, is not without
hope. The principles for which we
contend are going to prevail in the end.
They must prevail because they are
right. The union will continue it's
fight for the elemental rights Of in
dustrial freedom. We urge you as q
loyal member to continue to do your
part.
Some REORGANIZATION of the union may
be necessary but our banner flung to
the breeze in 1902 will never be
f,r1odt