Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-07-24
AWAIT FEDERAL
DECISION UPON
WAGE DISPUTES
Congressman Graham Wires Assist
ant Postmaster General is
Working on Strike.

With federal action ordered but
not taken on the strike of 200 girl
telephone operators and all line
men in Rock Island, Moline and
East Moline, the situation was to-
day practically the same as yester-
day.
The latest telegram received by
Mayor H. NJ. Schriver, in answer TO
several communications sent cut
asking government intervention,
states as did another telegram yes
terday that the government will
take action on the strike. No details
of action have so far been received
by the mayor, and further notices
are expected at any moment.
The telegram is from Congress
man W. J. Graham, dated July %,
following:
Have tried repeatedly since your
telegram to get definite information
from postoffice department Just
what they will do as telephone
strike comes under their juriso1c-
tion. Department of labor informed
that postoffice department could
handle situation alone. So far can
get nothing definitely only that first
assistant postmaster general is on
job and doing everything possible.
Will be on his trail until I get
definite information. VIII wire
later.
"W. J. GRAHAM"
A communication to The Argus
from Springfield states that infor-
nation has been received there by
John P. Noonan, vice president of
the International Brotherhood of
Electrical Workers, that the federal
wire control board at Washington
had agreed to the demand Of Pa
cifc coast telephone operators and
electrical workers for wage m
creases retroactive to Jan. 1, last,
and that all Of the employees return
ed to work Monday, following
strike.
It is expected by the union that
similar action may be taken on the
Rock Island situation.
No Conference Yesterday.
An endeavor by the Central Union
Telephone company to arbitrate
wage demands of the telephone OPP
orators and members of Interna-
tional Brotherhood of Electrical
Workers, local No 100, has brought
no results.
A conference between the two
parties which was scheduled for
yesterday afternoon was not held.
The union members decided that if
the company would not deal with
them as a recognized union, there
was no use in a conference.
Further efforts are being made by
the union members to effect a com
plete close down Of all offices In the
three cities. Pickets were placed at
the Davenport exchange, and It was
reported that the operators there
were anxious to be affiliated with
the union here.
The telephone company has sue
ceeded in maintaining phone COM
today, despite the fact
that practically all operators had
walked out. Girls were being
brought to the exchange in a ecm-
Dany automobile, and it is not def
fnitely known where they were
brought from.
Vigilance OF the operators and
Semen is still at its height, while
company Is putting up a so-far
2, 1sful battle in operating
~ eatS'
- Present Demands.
II He'd demands of the girls
W 20 lawn up at a meeting of the
: aISbmmittee this morning, head
q. Rose Kenney, and scheduled
I presented to the company to-
d hey desire SIS per week TO
and wage Of $50 at the end
~ che first year, a raise of about
IS. The Iinemens' demands mean an
increase Of approximately $50 per
month.