The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-06-09
STRIKE LEADER
SAYS BURLESON
PLAYS POLITICS
Giving Up Wires in Part,
He Asserts, Was to Save
Democrats From Blame.
GOVERNMENT MUST PAY
Percy Thomas Assails Post.
master-G General in Attack on
Western Unions Heads


Direct responsibility for the nation
vide telegraphers' strike, which In called
for wednesday morning. was placed at
the door of Postmaster-General BurIe-
son yesterday by officials OF the Com
rnercial Telegraphers' Union, who met
IN this city TO plan the details of the
Walkout.
Percy Thomas. deputy international
president of the union. emphatically ds.
ciared that the only reason Mr.. Burle-
son returned the control of the wires
TO The Western Union and other cont
penies at the time he did was to have
tho strike fought by privately ownel
companies instead Of the United States
Government. He added that inasmuch
as the financial arrangement with the
western Union continues to be the SAME
as when It was governmentally' con-
troued. the Government will Ray for the
strike. Mr. Thomas said:
The reason why Mr.. Burleson re-
turned control of the wires to Mr.. Cart
TON president OF the Western Union. was
because he feared a strike would take
the Western Union. so that the Demo-
cratic Administration would not be held
responsible. AS a matter OF fact, the
8 per cent. is still paid the Western
Union under guaranty of the financial
arrangement entered into when the Gov
eminent took over the wires. II the
entire Western Union shut down, tis
company would still get it's per cent.
from tho Govern ment. Burleson is hand
in glove with the Carlton-Vail combina-
ton, and now they may fight labor as
hard as they want to at the expense Of
the Government.
The Wire Operating Board is abol-
iBhed. and OF course the men operating
that board have gone back to their re-
munerative snaps: but the Wire Con.
troll Board. composed of Burlesoa's
friends. is not abolished.
Burleson's Course Criticized.
Government operation never had a
chance. Men absolutely opposed to
public ownership Of telegraph and tele-
phone systems were put In charge OF
these industries by a man protesting to
believe in Government ownership. Gov
eminent control of the wires could have
been pushed forward TO practical. sue
oessful operation. and would have been
OF our country, but was killed by those
opposed to 1t, who were singularly
placed in control. for ut the very birth
OF Its opportunity Il was thrown among
the money lions. Government MESA ges
and messages to the general public and
newspaper dispatches were delayed even
10 the limit OF the day by the operating
of1ciais. and the public. which has no
time 10 investigate causes was critical
hn NJ no
ment control. There has not beeu day
stnSe the war began or before when II
telegraph and telephone officials had
paid good wages to their employees and
given them good treatment that excel
lent service could not have been fur
nished to the people by the companies
Union officials purpose watching the
Western Union methods OF handling
business, II they are able to handle any
business at all during the strike, for
the Government had not brought the
Western Union to trial on the Indictment
OF last year for suitcasing messages,
l. E., sending kilograms from one point
TO another by train through the medium
Of messengers"
Mr.. Thomas corroborated the state
ment made In The Sun that more than
100 operators had been discharged Sat
urday when II was ascertained by the
chief operator that they would strike
when the walkout was ordered. He said
the number was 1875. AS a result of the
dismissal, he said. a Government cir
quit remained uncovered by operators
for several hours and the business OF
the public generally was permitted to
suffer. He said a number of operators
were sent to Southern points to take
he place OF those who went on strike
and that this delayed delivery of mes
sages.
Had Declared They Would Strike
Newcomb Carlton. president of the
Western Union, pointed out yesterday
that the men and women who were dis
missed had been let go not because they
we're members of the Commercial Teleg-
raphers Union. but because they de-
clared their intention to join the strike
Mr.. Thomas replied that this was but
one Of the many violations Of Mr.. Burle'
sons many pledges of protection &c
union men.
Answering Mr.. Cartons statement
that there are only 7l0 members of the
union in the United States employed bS
the Western Union who would be az
fected by a strike order. Mr.. Thomas
declared there are more than that mum
Der in Mr.. Cartons main Office. II,
the Eastern section, over which he ii
president.
At the meeting OF telegraphers yes.
terday afternoon II was decided to en-
list the sympathy of the Typographical
Union and other labor organization
which have to do with telegraphers
work, TO protest against the employ
ment OF non-union labor.
The strike order sent out by Mr.
Thomas yesterday affects managers, su
pefvisors, clerks. operators. mechanics
iinemen and inside and outside wire
mon.
Tho demands are: THE right to be
long TO a labor union without restric
ton: collective bargaining through
trade unions. and not through associa
lions organized by the company to de
feat the aiRs OF the workers; reinstate
ment OF all workers discharged in recen
times for legitimate trade union activi
ties; increases in pay sufficient to NEE
increased cost OF living since 1915
rules governing working conditions
whereby the rights OF the workers will
be defined and Justice to them guaran
teed."