Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-04-16
TUMULTY'S SUGGESTION

Boston. April 15.-Joseph P. Tu-
muity, secretary 10 President VIII
son. sent a telegram to Miss Julia
S. O'Conror president Of the tele-
phone operators department. tonight
proposing .ha: the striking operators
n New England submit their wage
scale 70 William R. Driver, Jr., sem
erai manager u the New England
Telephone & Telegraph Co. Miss
O'Connor. in a -eply. said that the
operators would submit their scale
70 Mr.. Driver, provided they were
given the assurance Of the federal
government that ne had been given
the full power 20 settle wage scales.
retroactive 70 Dec. 81, the date upon
which the wage agreement between
me company and the operators ex-
pired.
Mr. Driver. when informed Of Sec
rotary Tumulty's telegram that ne
!. had no authority 10 adjust wage
scales. He said:
II they submit their demands 20
me I would have 70 send them 10 the
postmaster general. l have no au-
thor,ry 20 act, but l could make
recommendations III sending the de-
rnands TO Mr.. Burleson
Miss O'Connor received The follow
ing telegram tonight from Samuel
Gompe-s of the American Fedora
lion Of Labor.
No one acquainted with :he sit
uai!on can fail 10 appreciate the
grievances which telephone opera,-
ors have had 20 endure and ye, in
fur-i:eran!ce Of the effort 10 remove
grievances and for the achievement
Of rights. l strongly urge that you
maintain 1elf-cont-oI and give op-
portuni,v 20 those who are in a po-
sition 70 bring about honorable adj
;ustmen,.'
Secretary TumrIty's telegram fol-
lows:
Allow me 70 suggest that il Mss
June and her associates on n. op-
orators committee Will promptly sub
init the application for the change Of
wage scale 10 Mr.. Driver. general
nanag ger of the telephone company
at Boston prompt action viii be TAX
en- by hirn thereon. II operators are
dissatisfied with his action prompt
appeal can then be taken and the
whole matter settled on a basis Of
justice and fairness PERM, me 70
lrgs tha, this action be taken
Miss Mary E. June is a member of
the adjustment board Of the Boston
Operators Union.
Miss O'Connors telegram in reply
said:
Telegram received advising p-cnp,
submission Of schedule to Mr. Driver
by committee. Committee desires 10
inquire ex;ea, OF power OF Mr.. Driver
10 reach settlement. TO whom should
appeal be taken? State on. wiling
ness 20 negotiate with Mr.. Driver pro-
rided he ha- sufficient power 20 def
nlteiy reach settlement upon which We
can agree. retroactive 10 December =.
gaining
Miss 0'Connor announced tonight tha.
the strike committee would take irnme-
date action in case = satisfactory re-
ply from the government concerning
the power OF Mr., Driver TO negotiate
were received
She said rhe strike was 4 success and
that every union operator and man not
AFFILIATED with the Union had observed
the strike order.
The spirit OF the girls she said.
"'has been splendid Picke.ing is being
carried ont in an orderly manner
The strike committee announced that
Some girls had been offered 80 week
and bonus, but had refused 20 20 10 !
work
Gable Splicers' Union. Local So. and |
inside Workers Union. Local 7.e. will /
strike at O'Clock tomorrow morning. ,
according 20 notice which tlle.- served |
on comrany officials TODAY About lase !
men who are employed abou, the ex- |
changes in the metropolitan distric; will
be affected
The New england Ioint council Of /
telephone workers will NEE, here TO-
morrow morning TO consider the strike |
situation.
Many exchanges IN the metropolitan |
district were closed tonight for the arst
time since they were opened.