The Washington herald., 1919-06-08
POSTAL TELEGRAPH
COMPANY HARD HIT
AS STRIKE SPREADS
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Atlantic Railroad. as spokesman for
union railroad telegraphers in the
Southeast.
German left for New York today
to confer with national officials of
his organization regarding an early
strike order against the Western
Union by the Order of Railroad
Telegraphers. He will urge. backed
by unanimous approval OF South
eastern railroad operators. 1t was
said. that the strike be made ef-
fective at least in the south i'm
mediately.
Western Union statements tonight
place the number of men on strike
I'm the south at less than 500.
Strike leaders assert equally as
positively that more than $500
telegraph workers responded to tn,
STRIKE order. and that the Western
handling teleeI epl, business.
Many Offices are closed because
the company is unable to hire
strikeoreakers TO man the wires,
strike leaders also assert. This.
the Western Union says. is without
Burieson FIatIy Accused.
Charges that Postmaster General
Burleson called in an outside postal
inspector whom ne could trust" to
conduct the investigation into the al
legged dismissal of union telephone
girls because of union affiliation by
the Southern Bell Telephone and Tel
egraph Company, Just as he wanted
1t done" was made tonight by Vice
President Mann. OF the Telegraphers'
Union. in answer to a statement is
sued at Washington by Burleson.
Evidence furnished the local post
office inspectors indicated beyond any
doubt that those girls were discharx-
ed solAy because they were mem
bers of our union" Mann declared.
The local inspectors we're capable
Of handling the investigation, but
Burleson intended that no report ia
vorable to the telephone girls should
be made. Therefore Burleson ordered
in an outside man, whom he could
trust. to conduct the investigation In
line with his convict labor policies"
Mackay Sought as Ally.
ASacSAdAho dEBlHB FTesluenI Sldr-
ence II. Mackay, of the Postal Tele-
graph Co., to recognize the telegraph
ers union an dJoin them in the fight
against the Western Union, were sent
Mackay by striking keymen here to-
day.
I'VE know you were double crossed
by Burleson, Carlton and Vail, Just as
we We're" the kilograms read. Rec
ognize our union and we will help you
bankrupt the Western Union"
No reports Of disorder have been re-
ceived since the strike was called, ex-
cept on the east coast of Florida.
where, according to the Western
Union, some unknown party cut sew
eral wire cables Friday night.
The strike originated in Atlanta
Monday, when approximately 900 tele-
phone girls struck in the exchanges OF
the Southern Bell Telephone and Tele-
graph Co, because of alleged discrim-
ination against union members. II
was extended to the Western Union
Atlanta office Wednesday and to all
southeastern points Thursday night.
Today 1t spread to the Cumber-
land Telephone and Telegraph Com
pany, at New Orleans. when an
proximately $50 linemen, cable
splicers and electricians walked ont
because Of grievances Of their own
and in support of the striking key
men.
Organized crafts of Atlanta have
pledged their support morally and
financially to the striking girls and
telegraphers, according to union
leaders. The Atlanta Federation or
Trades will handle the finances. dis
tributing the funds to needy strik-
ers through its own officers.
A big mass meeting of strikers
and sympathizers will be hold here
tomorrow afternoon in the city
auditorium.
All telephone exchange buildings
and the Western Union offic. here
are heavily picketed by strikers to-
night