The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-06-07
NATIONWIDE
STRIKE Of THE
TELEGRAPH

WASHINGTON. June 6.-Prestdent 5.
J. Konenkamp. Of the Commercial
TelegrapherS Union Of America. an
noanced tonight tht ne would call a
nationwide strike Of members OF the
union tomorrow. He said that neither
the date Of the proposed walk-out. nor
whether II would affect both the Postal
Telegraph Cable Company and the west
ern Union Telegraph and Cable COM
pany had been decided
The strike. President Kononkamp SAID.
would be called In support Of union en-
ployes OF the Western Union company
in ten southeastern states. who w"r"
requested by him TO leave their WORK
last night following return. by order OF
Postmaster General Buricson. OF the
wire spstems OF the country to private
operation.
Postorficc officials while intimattnS
that whereas, the wire systems no"
were being operated by the companies
the department was not directly con-
cerned in the controversy. expressed nc
belief that the strike. II called ""u'o
not seriously affect COMMUNICATION
Western Union officials her" pointed I"
the statement in New York today. on
Sewconb Carlton president OF the com
pany. that out OF 4o.ooh employees eilei-
bic to Join the Commercial Telegraph
erx' Union. only no were members.
Mr.. Konenkamp planned TO leave
washington shortly after midnight for
Chicago.
Leaders in congress. despite tho post
master generals order returning IN"
wires to private operation. went for
ward with their plans for legislation for
repeal OF the wire control resolution.
Reopening the hearings on the bill
by Senator kellogg. Republican Of Min
nesota. for repeal Of the wire resolution.
the senate Interstate commerce commit
tee questioned ". c. KiRgshury. Vicc
president Of the American Telephone
and Telegraph Company. as to the lcg1s-
lation necessary to protect Tho wire
companies During the hearing. some
members Of the committee charged that
the postmaster general. confronted by n
strike. issued the return order for the
;purrose OF passing the buck.
Mr.. RurlcsCr in letter TO Chairman
CumminS 81 tho Scrate COMMITTEES. de-
clared that his order has been misinter-
prrted and that the actual control or the
wire systems had rot passed from the
department but only operation had been
rciinqu,Shcd.
Tho committee ~ tho close Of its hear
inrs agreed To amend the Kellogg hill 81
as TO continue existing telephone rates
IN effect for ninety days after m" wires
arr returned instead Of sixty da%s ~
roginiallv proposed. Shortl" before tho
senate adjourned lac today until Mon
day thch bill was called UP and placed in
position with privileged status for con-
sideration Monday.
Chairman Fsch. Of IN" house inter
state commerce COMMITTEES. announced
after a meeting Of tn" committee today.
A. WHO tho postmaster -cneraTs action
WIS not discussed. tina; actual framing
OF Legislation for return Of tn" lines
wouIG r. considered M"nIav.
ATLANTA. June S.--I'on;inuatt"n ~
the tclcgrapherS' strike in ten southeast
erh state was marked today by contra
dictory statements from Western Union
Telegraph COMPANY oft;cialS and Sir'""
i,nders as to is effect and extent.
II 6. WORKMAN general manager OF
tho Western Union southern division.
said thct loss than 900 operators had
lrft. while Charles E Mann. represent
ing rho Atlanta Trl"gra 7hrrs union.
SAIL th, number was 1000. tn" Vice.
crr T.a;o, confirmed 20 hrndlr rn""S1ZcS.
\n,vsrap"- reports through IN" daE
ir,'icatcd that sora" smaller office" OF
tho western Inicn N tho territory at'
fer.ch had closed. hu' thu: Il larger
cities = majority ot tho employees were
st.u n du,".
Demands rradc by th~ strikers IN Tho
comranv Include r"cnEuit on nf Tho right
-: men 70 belong TO tho union. co'f"Cr W
bargaining. reinstatement "f workers
divcharsad N 1915. aTd better pay and
Wort; .HS conditions.