Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-06-07
union HEAD READY TO CALL
NATION IDE TIEUP ASMEN
INMANY STATES Join MOVE
Konenkamp BUSHES to
Chicago to Call Walk
out of All Operators.

w dSulHBlOus June t.-IIESluEIL
S. J. Kohenkamp. Of the CONNER
cial Telegraphers' Union of Amer
lea, who today is enroute to Chi
cago. announced before his de-
parture last night that he would
call a nationwide strike of union
telegraphers upon his arrival IN
Chicago late today. The strike is
proposed in support Of the West
ern Union Telegraph company's
employees in 10 southern states
who went on strike Thursday
night.
Until he reaches Chicago, Mr..
Konenkamp stated, it would not be
decided whether the spread Of the
strike would be confined, to the
Western Union or include the
Postal Telegraph-Cable company
He will also decide the date of the
proposed strike which also has not
been decided.
Officials Claim Few Out.
Western Union officials claim
that out of the 10000 employees Of
the company eligible to join the
telegraphers' union only TO were
members and expressed belief that
strike would not seriously impair
the service.
Postoffice department officials
are not concerned in the threat
ened walkout as the order of Post
master General Burleson in return
ing operation control of the wires
to their former owners, puts the
burden of combating the strike or
the companies.
Coast Unions Vote to Strike.
San Francisco, June IA strike
of commercial telegraphers who
are members of the union through
out the Pacific coast region have
voted to go on strike June II, I'm
less demands made upon employ
ers are given consideration, accord
ing to a message received last
night.
The telegram was signed by L. /.
Marshall of Los Angeles, first vice
president of the organization. u
reads as follows:
Unless all telegraph officials
yield to demands of the workers by
June II, telegraphers and other
telegraph workers, as well as their
sympathiZers, will be asked to va
cate their respective offices.
This announcement embraces
the Western Union. Postal and
Federal telegraph companies on
the coast, thereby cutting off com
munication so far as commercial
business is concerned with coast
and eastern points.
This fight will be to a finish.
Every worker is requested to OBJ
tain outside employment wherever
possible and assist in every con-
ceivabIe manner in making the
strike a success.
Exact time will be announced
later"
Mr.. Marshall stated that the cit
les affected included all west of
Denver, Col, from Montana points
to FL Paso, Texas.
Il sent messages Of notification
to union officials in the cities af-
fected," Mr.. Marshall said. Il acted
upon instructions from S. J. Kon-
president Of the organi-
cation.
The move has been contem-
plated for some time and is not the
result of the Atlanta strike alone
We have been unable 10 reach a
agreement with Post
master General Burleson. Among
other things we desire higher
wages"
Atlanta Watches National Move,
Atlanta, Ga, June There were
no developments early today in
The situation resulting from the
strike of operators employed in
The southeastern district by the
Western Union Telegraph com
Dany and chief in interest in the
matter was conferred in the an
louncement in Washington last
night by S. J. Konenkamp presI-
lent of the national organization of
union men, that he would call a
lation-wide strike of members of
he union at a date to be decided
n Chicago late today.
Both leaders of the strike and
are confident. State
nents concerning the number of
men who quit work Thursday
night and yesterday, differed. II.
].Worthan, general manager of
he South division said the COM
)any was carrying on an uninter-
'upted service and that the latest
survey of his district showed only
| total of 2SS employees on str1ke,
60 of whom were out In Atlanta.
outside of Atlanta the largest num-
,er on strike at Charleston. 5. C.,
where II out of a normal force OF
3 had quit. Reports from New
orleans, which is in the company's
Texas division, said that eight men
we're out there. Union leaders
laced the New Orleans strike list
t a total of 1873.
Say 5000 Are Out.
Charles F. Mann, representing
he telegraphers, said reports to
Mon headquarters showed 5000
astern district had responded to
len in all sections of the south
he strike call. For the strikers
he situation today apparently had
eveloped into a wait pending the
utcome of the proposed country
ide wa1kout.