The daily times. [volume] (Wilson, N.C.) 1902-1936, 1919-06-06
BUR[ES0N RE-.
TURNS WIRES
Did 1t Without Asking Con-
gress Anything About it
While They Were
PREPARING LEGISLATION

New York June 6-Employees of
the Western Union Telegraph Com
pany, who Joined the telegraphers
union on the assurance of the Post
master-General that there would be
no discrimination of employees join
ing unions will not be taken back
if they strike, Newcomb Carlton,
President of the company announced
today. He pointed out that the Post
master General now had turned the
Western Unions over to the Company
ito operate as we think best for the
interest of the business
Immediately after Mr.. Burleson s
order was issued last night the
President of the telegraphers' un-
the union employed by the Western
Union Telegraph Company in the
ten southern states and reports from
the chief cities in that territoy
ell as some clerks and messengers,
have quit their posts. Officials or
the Company at Atlanta said that
with the wires again under COM
pany operation there would be
finish fight while those of the union
intimated that if necessary a nation
wide strike would be called.
Washington, June 6.-Postmaster
General Burleson's order abolishing
the fire control board in New York
and restoring the operation of the
telephone and telegraph properties
to officials of the companies, acting
as agents of the Government was
attacked today by members of con-
gress, one of whom said that Mr..
Burleson has "pessed the buck"
because of the threatened nation
wide strike of members of the COM
mercial telegraphic union of Amer
lea.
Washington, June 5.-Postmast-
er General Burleson today issued an
order returning the telephone and
telegraph systems of the country to
private ownership, effective imme-
diately. In statement accompany
ing the formal order, the Postmaster
General declared that the existing
rates would remain in effect and
that orders forbidding discharge of
because of union affilia-
tions also would stand.
1.-THE President having recon-
the return of the wire sys-
TENS and the control of the owning
companies with certain legislation
designed to stabilize their opera
tion," Mr.. Burleson said, 'and the
Senate committee having taken ac-
ton looking to their Immediate re-
turn, and the House committee in
its hearings on the proposed 1egisla-
tion having indicated concurrence
in the suggestion of immediate re-
turn with or without legislation so
I feel it my duty to
now return the actual control of op-
erations to the companies.
Some days ago I directed the nee
essary orders to be prepared t. ac-
this and have today issued
same. These orders do not affect
questions of rates and finance with
which the Congress may determine
to deal. The rates now in force and
he financial relations between the
and the companies, and
The order of October 2, 1918, pro-
1ibiting discrimination because of
union Affiliations, will continue un-
less the Congress in it's wisdom may
decide to change them or the '.emer- |
yency'' is terminated by the procla- |
nation of peace.
"By the action now taken, how |
ever, the wire companies resume ac-
.ual control of operations of their |
property, and are free to |
formulate and put into effect their /
own policies unrestricted by gov
control, which is to continue
n any case but a few weeks, and
.hus will be able to prepare them
selves for complete resumption of I
he management of their property.
It will be necessary for each COM
,any to so keep its accounts during
he continuance oS government con-
.rol that it's books may be closed on