Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-08-08
PHONE CONCERN
IS FACING FIGHT
I'm ROCK ISLAND
Labor Union Leaders Order 10000
Phone Ont and Ask General
Public TO Do Likewise.
THE PHONE STRIKE.


Union Telephone company has
been given impetus in an order
issued By all union Organiza-
tons for the removal of 10000
phones.
While it is not believed the
company will make any early
mutual agreements with the
strikers, it is expected that
company officials viii be forced
to make concessions or face
ruin at the hands Of The public.
Subscriptions are being re-
ceiyed at the rate of $4,000 per
week for the benefit of home
less operators during the strike.
The Central Union Telephone
company is now facing a combined
fight of practically all union organ
izations in Rock Island and neigh
Boring cities, as well as other citi-
'zens, as the outcome of the COM
pany's attitude in refusing to recog-
nize the union Of 125 strikers.
Last night practically 10000 tele-
phones were ordered from union
mems homes at a mass meeting at
Industrial hall. The presidents and
secretaries of 80 unions agreed to
+ plan of removing the company's
phones which will so injure the
company's business in Rock Island,
Moline, East Moline and Silvis that
they predict the company will be
forced to grant the wage demands
of the strikers or allow complete
disruption of business.
A fine of from $40 to $50 will be
placed upon all union men who fail
to live up to the pledge of their
leaders. Girl operators will make
a canvass of their homes with pa
pers to be filed out as notices to
the company for removal OF tele-
phones. The papers are to be sign
ed by members, one copy to be sent
in to the company as official notice
and another to be turned in to the
strikers headquarters for file. All
union men who fail to comply with
the order will lose their cards.
Aside from measures taken last
night in fighting the company, II. d.
Smith, business agent for the
strikers. said today that subscrip-
lions had been received from unions
out Of Rock Island amounting to
several hundreds of dollars.
A plan has been agreed to where
by all union men will donate so
cents each wee9 for the benefit of
homeless girl operators during the
period of the strike.
Altogether. approximately s15,-
900 is being secured each week
from donations and benefit cam
paigns, which is sufficient to the
strikers campaign.
McCaskrin Fights Company.
Aside from the efforts of the
many citizens are up in arms.
H. NJ. McCaskrin has announced
his intentions of bringing suit
against the company next Friday in
Justice c. ]. Schroeder's court to
recover money paid for service not
rendered. If the case. is a success
Mr.. McCaskrin announces he will
handle all cases of the public
against the company free of charge.
A benefit exhibition bout planned
b. the telephone strikers for next
night at the ball park has
been called off, on account of con
hicting dates
A dance is to be held in Moline
tonight for the benefit OF the girl
operators.
Officers TO Be Installed.
The installation of the following
officers of the recently organized 10
cal operators union will take place
at Industrial hall tomorrow:
President-MTs. Rose Kinney.
Vice president - Mrs. Esther
Young.
Recording secretary-Miss Helen
MohI.
Financial secretary-Iiss Amy
Trustees-Miss Alice Chandler, !