Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-06-12
Tnion Leaders Confident It Ex-
ists-Company Officials Say
That Nationwide Walkout
Movement Has Failed
BUSINESS AS USUAL
Prospering-Says Teicgraphers VIII
Fight to Prevent Discrimination
Against Union Workers

Chicago, June n.-Union leaders de-
ared tonight that the first days re-
,onse to the call for a nationwide
rike of commercial telegraph opera
prs gave promise that the tie-up will
complete in three days, despite claims
company officials that the strike has
,iled
Reports received by the Associated
ress from many towns in various sec
ons OF the country indicate that COM
hercial telegraph business was not seri-
isly interrupted in most districts.
a statement by President Carlton of
he Western Union Telegraph company
nat only about 166 persons, 121 of them
perators, answered the strike call
Fought from S. ]. Konenkamp, inter-
ational president of the Commercial
elegraphers' Union of America, a re-
bark that more than that number of
Western Union employees in Chicago alone
ad joined the strike by noon to-day.
Reports up to late to-day point to a 80
pr cent. response in the Postal Telegraph
bmpany service and a 70 per cent. re-
ponse from Western Union employees" +"
bid konenkamp in a statement to the
associated Press tonight. THE East has
nown up surprisingly well and in the
butheast alone the number of strikers
ow exceeds 5000 The telephone workers
ave added to the strikers numbers in
lhiladel, New Orleans, Columbia, S. c.,
nd Brunswick Ga, he said.
In statement declaring only a few
Festern Union operators had quit Edward
Wach, deputy vice-president of the
association of Western Union Employees,
bid the 10000 members OF that organiza-
on were not concerned with the c. T. u.
demands. SiXty-flve per cent. of all
Western Union employees are reported to
he association he said
1.-THE association has an agreement with
he Western Union whereby it is recog-
ICED and is permitted to bargain col
hctvely for wages and hours" he said.
We obtained five and ten per cent. in
rease under Postmaster General Bur-
eson and are promised adjustment of GER
ain parts Of a schedule entered into
nth the company which was not fulfilled
y the postmaster-general.
reports from locals in all sections of
he country show Western Union en-
loyes on the job with a few exceptions
Which are negligible"
To substantiate his claims. Mr.. Wach
displayed kilograms from association off,
ials in various districts saying condi-
ions were normal.
He said that not a single operator in
he Western Union Chicago office struck.
nd explained that empty chairs were
hereby for use when emergency relay
cts were in operation. To this Konen-
lamp asserted that "the vacant chairs
we're occupied yesterday"
E. w. Collins, general superintendent
|f the Postal Telegraph company in
thicago. admitted that large number
Il their 300 operators had quit, but in
listed that if the "agitators about the
building were driven away, many en-
loyes would come to work.
Police protection was asked by the
Western Union president after numerous
treet clashes of a minor character. De-
VERY service was hampered late In the
ay when all Western Union messenger
oys at the main office, with the excep-
ion of four, Joined the strike 1t was
harged that they had been intimidated
nd messages taken from them. Many
e the Postal messengers here also struck
sympathy.
Mr.. Collins said he did not know what
he general situation was as to Posta
trikers, but that the company had no
>een seriously affected. I'VE expect i'm.
brovement," he said.
Speaking at a meeting of strikers to-
hight Konenkamp said the telegrapher!
would fight all the way to preven
hrther discrimination against unor
workers."
1--WE want the right to organize ant
he right to bargain collectively through
legitimate trade union" he said. "Witl
hese principles established all othe
auestions would be quickly disposed o
by some fair tribunal.