Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-04-22
eraI provided for the handling OF
such questions.

such questions.
The postmastar-general felt that
the method set up by him was q SIM
pie and direct one and that it would
permit prompt decisions The gov
eminent controls and operates the
various telephone. telegraph and ca
be companies. II IS responsible for
all disbursements II connection with
these companies. There IS 20 ques-
ton that inaSEiuch rs the govern
ment has to pay az wages IN con-
nection Herewith. IL should have
some voice II the settlement of wage
questions. Under private ownership
these questions ftrSt went 20 the gen.
eral manager. whose recommenda-
tons had TO be approved by the
president and the board CT direc-
tors. The procedure Sc, up by the
postmaster general provided that the
general manager should first consid-
er the questions presented. and that
he should forward them. together
with his recommendations thereon,
through the operating board To the
Wire Control Board Of the Postmas-
tsr-generags department for final
decision. The postmaster-g general be-
lieved that such a line OF action
would give quicker results than ore
which required that requests tor
wage or other adjustments be sen,
10 him a. Washington. only to be
referred back 10 the operating off,
Gals of the various companies for
analysis and recomne1 catlon, and
then returned for his final decision.
There IS no red tape about -ce
method he Sc, up. It's purpose IS 20
facilitate The wording and adjust
neat of SUCH questions. In some
which S ineXQiica5ie u ne. Il seems
10 have been m.s;nterpreter IN this
case II order 20 make i clear and
understandable. the poxinaster--e1-
ersl sent me here and I vas s!a:
thus early to be able. II his name
20 give approval 70 the agreement
reached.
LAS the questions that have been
~. 20 me by various representa- es
Of the general public indicate that
the post Office department clearly
defined attitude with reference &c
dealing With EN- pioye. of these We
-ious companies is not clearly VI.
.e-srocd I would summarize i as
fellows:
There haS been no retusa. on the
part Of The wire administration &C
allow negotiations by the various
VIC com 2a1ies with Individual eln
pIovascr collective bi-gasnin g them.
sei@"s oy OF through representative.
of urEaI.Za tons OF employees. VINO
ara in the service. concerning work
ing conditions or wages, arI further
more such negotiations, + desired
nav be nrough, direct 10 the wire
control board.
There has been no failure or tbs
part of -ac Wire Administration -
.-..E.t.ly- enforce he order t:,a, there
should ne no discrimination aea!rs;
employees because Of their afilia,:on
! with labor unions.
: The employees Of the wire service
either individually or collectively
speaking through the officials OF tile
wire companies. are afforded every
opportunity 70 adjust differences anC
mag at AL times have their day in
court when they have grievances
which they desire to be considered
The Wire Administration is en-
deavoring as rapidly as possible tc
right unsatisfactory conditions
: where they exist. and also to RICH,
Inadequate wage rates wherever the
revenues Of the particular wire com.
pany will permit it: and where such
revenues are Inadequate the Wire
! Administration IS bending every en-
/ eryy 10 Increase them TO enable /,
I 70 do even handed justice to the en-
: pioyes the public and the company
! involved.
( der government control, the post.
master general will at all times alC
under all circumstances deal fairly
and justly with all the employees. the
owners Of the properties and the
| public. and see that the rights OF
! each are respected by the other al
Ear as it is possible 70 do so.''
| Portland. Me-. April c1-Tele
/ phone operators and electrical work
ers resumed their work today in IN,
| Offices Of the New England Tele
phone & Telegraph Compan,
! throughout the State. upon receip
Of notification that their strike hae
been settled at Boston. and within
a short time long distance and loca