Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-06-16
Senate Probe Promised.

Senate Probe Promised.
Senator Watson did not promise that
he would introduce the resolution for
an investigation, but he assured Mr..
Mcdowell that an investigation by the
Senate would be made in the near
future. following a conference be-
tween him and other senators.
Members Of the post office commit
tee Of the House and virtually every
senator at his ONCE this morning were
presented with memoranda of the sit
uation by a committee of seventy
striking telegraphers under the lead
ership OF s. ]. Small, former interna-
tional president of the Commercial
Telegraphers' Union.
Reasons for Strike Given.
I'VE claim. as justification for the
strike, that the Postmaster General
since he assumed control Of the wire
systems, has at all times refused
to receive and consider our COM
plants of discrimination against
union employees and suggestions for
stead. has adopted policy of re-
taliation by inaugurating rules and
ratings which reduced our earnings
and increased our daily performance.
|
ready acute, declared the memoranda.
I'VE also claim that Mr.. Burleson has
used his personal and official influence
to prevent an adjustment OF differ
ences between the workers and their
employers.
1--WE demand the right to belong to
labor union and the right to bargain
collectively; reinstatement of all
workers discharged in 1913 and 1919
for membership IN trade union or
for legitimate trade union activities:
Standardization of salaries that will
being practiced through indiscr.mi-
nate dismissals and re-employments,
this being known as the sliding
scale.
Says $4,000 Offices Are Closed.
I'VE call your attention to the fact
that approximately $4,000 CONNER
cial offices at railroad stations in this
country are closed to the public as
a result Of the strike, that CONNER
cial messages and cablegrams are be-
ing sent by mail and suit case mes
sengers out of New oYrk; that the
situation from an industrial view
point Is becoming more alarming daily
and we ask you what is your posi-
ton in this matter"
The actual strike situation remains
unchanged today. Strikers claim that
stacks Of business are piled high and
untouched in the receiving Offices.
They, claim that kilograms to the
west are unanswered for seventy two
hours. On the other hand. officials of
the Western Union declare that q
normal force is on hand. and business
is proceeding with the usual celebrity.
Points to Railroad Order.
A meeting of telegraphers yesterday
afternoon charged Postmaster Gen.
eral Burleson had requested Director
General Hines to order the dismissal
Of all railroad telegraphers who re-
fused to handle commercial messages
during the strike of Western Union
and Postal employees.
Strikers declare that this order will
mean an automatic walkout OF rail-
road telegraphers.
8. ]. Small declared that il the
| Postmaster General sought to extend
| the privileges of collective bargaining
granted to electrical workers in his
order Of Saturday 90 the employees Of
| the telegraph companies. he would
como into conflict with Carlton OF the
Western Union" Mr.. Small doubted,
therefore, that this would be at
tempted The order granting the
privileges OF Individual or collective