The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-06-09
POSTAL WIRE MEN
READY TO WALK
OUT IF ORDERED
Western Union C. T. U. 0per-
ators Still 0ut--Manager
Says Company's Business
Not Affected.

Although there was absolutely no
change in the local telegraph situation
Monday on account of the strike of un-
ion operators employed by the Western
Union company, there are indications Of
probable local developments Wednesday
when the general strike called by the
president of the Commercial Telegraph
ers' union goes into effect.
Members of the union employed by
the Postal company in Memphis have
no grievance against that company and
will regret any orders calling them out.
But If those orders are received every
member of the union will walk from
the Postal operating rooms, as they did
last week from the Western Union Of
fices.
There will be this difference. however.
Few union men were at work for the
Western Union in Memphis. 1t Is said
that more than half the operators now
at work for the Postal company's local
offices belong to the, union. A number
of the men who left the Western Union
last week were at work for the Postal
Monday,
Members of the union claim that not
less than 30 men have now quit the
Western Union offices.
4. s. Began, manager of the office,
admits that every union man walked
out. but asserts that the number was
only 10. but admits that others quit
their jobs in several of the branch Of
fices and in several offices at other
points.
The Western Union has always en-
i ployed large number Of young WON
en- as multiplex operators and others
| in its telephone service and in the bust
| ness office. These are not members OF
| fused any and all requests from the
| strikers to ouit their iOhS
| Members of the union who were
| scouting in the vicinity of the Western
| Union main office Monday claimed tina,
not more than Is Morse operators were
at work in the building at that time
| but Mr.. Began asserted that practically
| the regular day force was at work
and that there was no evidence OF any
delay of messages either here or any.
where in this district and that no com
I plant was being received.
| w. j. Brannon, president of the loca
| C. T. u, said Monday that undoubt
bers of his union to walk out of thu
Postal offices on Wednesday those or
dere would be obeyed He said tina
| 35 or 40 men now at work for the Posta
as operators are members of the union
Mr. Brannon also believes that man!
of the operators in the Western Uniol
| offices will strike in sympathy oil
| Wednesday.
c. H. Johnson, manager Of the Pos
tai offices in Memphis, said that III
had no information from his superior
as to any intention to recognize thu
| union.
"The men employed here are all sat
isfied, so far as | know" he sad. wv
have made no distinction between un
ion or nonunion men and | have II,
idea how many of our operators ar
members of the union. ] know tina
our operating department has taken o.
some of the men who left the Westerl
Union, simply because we need them
The force of operators on duty varie
almost from day to day, ranging prob
ably from 65 to 95 iner
Strikers among the Memphis men VIII
walked out last week, seem to be pin
ming their hopes of securing recognitio
Of the union by the Western Union, o
their expectation that the general strik
will be Joined by operators generally !
all Western Union offices and probabl
also by the railroad telegraphers, wh
lhave their own union organization.