The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-06-16
Burleson Denies Calling Con-
ference ON Photographers Strike
Orders Action To Hear Phone
Employees Complaints.
BIG PHONE STRIKE ON COAST
st. Louis Service Paralyzed To.
Experimentation Order Late.
Oklahoma City Is Isolated by
Telegraph Tieup.

Washington, June 16.-Ail tele-
phone companies are directed to APP
point Immediately an officer to re-
ceive complaints from employees, in
an order issued today by Postmaster
General Burleson.
Notice of the designation of such
officer is to be placed on a bulletin
board. Complaint officers are also di-
rected to make careful notes at the
time each complaint is received.
This will make clear to employees,
Burleson points out, the proper Of
ficials with whom to take up their
Denies Key Strike Report.
Postmaster General Burleson to-
day said there is no truth" in the
report that he has taken steps to
bring about conference between
striking telegraph operators and Of
ficials of the Western Union and Pos
tai Telegraph companies.
Burleson also denied a report that
he had requested Rail Director Hines
to cause the discharge of railroad
telegraph operators who refuse to
handle commercial messages rendered
by the Western Union or oPstal Tele-
graph companies.
Applies to Keymen, Too?
Atlantic City, June 16.-Postmaster
| General Burlespn's order granting the
right of collective bargaining to cleo
trical and telephone workers, signing
| of which on Saturday averted a ma
tion-wide strike, applies to all other
employees under the postoffice depart
| ment including telegraph operators
and postal employees, according to
report made today to the convention
of the American Federation of Labor
/ by P. H. Mccarthy. of San Francisco,
chairman of the committee that went
to Washington under direction of the
convention.
Phone Strike on Coast.
Los Angeles. June 16.-Linemen and
switchboard men, members of the In
ternational Brotherhood of Electrical
Workers. left their work in the plants
of the Southern California Telephone
Co. here today at O'Clock, accord
ing to their officers.
Big Tie-up in ST. Louis.
l. st. Louis. June 16.-Striking tele-
phone operators and electrician workers
who walked out here early today and
practically paralyzed telephone serv-
ice. were ordered to return to work
shortly before noon today by union
Officials. The strikers, however, voted
not TO return to work until tomorrow
morning. The strike which went into
effect here ct a. M. today. had COM
Telephone Co. and crippled service of
the Southwestern Bell Co. several
hours later.
/ The telephone workers in ST. Louis
were called out despite orders issued
calling off nationwide strike set for
today.
/ Springfield, Ill, June 16.-That all
sections. of the country may be
formally advised of the calling off of
the nationwide strike of electrical
ternational brotherhood has sent
500 messages on the settlement to all
parts of the country.
Oklahoma City Isolated.
I Oklahoma City, June 16.--With the
i Western Union and Texas Postal tele-
graph offices closed since yesterday
morning, the city practically was cut
off from communication with outside
points. The Mackay Telegraph COM
pany. known elsewhere as the New
York oPstal. was receiving MESA ges
subject to indefinite delays. and able
to use only two operators.
New York, June 16.--Officials of
both the Western Union and Postal
Telegraph companies today declared
their belief that the strike of telegra-
pliers was practically over with most
of the key men back on their jobs.
Await Further Word.
4 Chicago, June 16.-Both sides in
the strike of telegraphers today
awaited amplification of the stateme nt
Frank Morrison, secretary of the
American Federation of Labor, that
Postmaster General Burleson had
promised to issue orders which would
result in conferences between officials
of the telegraph companies and the
union.
II am glad to hear that" said S. ].
Konenkamp. president. of the Com
Imercial photographers union, VIII IN
4 told of the proposed conferences. Il
am trying to learn some more about
lit.''
/ The proposed strike of electrical
workers set for today, in which some
1900 persons were to be involved,
did not take place. having been called
off, after Postmaster General Burleson
granted their demands for collective
bargaining and adjustment of wage
I scales. Electrical workers on the Pa
cific coast, however, intend to walk
out today despite the order calling off
the strike. according to Fred Spencer.
member of the executive board of
local No. $40, at Los Angeles.