The sun., 1919-06-10
PROTEST U.S.PAYTNG
WIRE STRIKE LOSSES
photographers Say Western
Union Will Fight, as Tax
payers Settle Cost.
CARLTON Is NOT ALARMED
Declares Few Will Walk Out
Tomorrow With $500 Men
Trying to Boss 10000.

The charge that the Western Union
Telegraph Company is to fight the strike
OF union telegraphers called for to-mor-
row while secured against all financial
loss through this course by the Govern
ment was made yesterday by Percy
Thomas, Deputy international president
of the Commercial Telegraphers Union
| The 100000 men organized In the
American Federation OF Labor will be
called upon to protest unanimously and
emphatically against what union officials
declare Is the use Of Government funds
for the breaking Of a strike against a
private company.
| A resolution will be introduced at .he
convention of the American Federation
Of Labor. now In session at Atlantic
City. which in effect will call upon all
union men who pay an income tax or
other Federal tax to file with their pay
menu written protest against the
diversion OF any of their money to the
Western Union Telegraph Company,
Mr. Thomas said yesterday.
Under the present plan between the
wire companies and the Government
every union man who pays a Federal
tax does so with the certainty that tn,
money he tolls for win be user 60 make
fers In this strike and to crush tn,
Commercial TeleBraphers Union Of
America, a constituent member of tn,
American Federation Of Labor, and &
strike a death blow at the right OF labol
to organize"
stand BASED on U. 8. Guarantee.
The protest OF the union men is based
upon the fact that the Western Unior
Is now guaranteed by the Government
$4,000, 900 q year even X the strike last,
thre months and closes down the com
pany's wires. Newton Carlton, presi
dent OF The Western Union, had earlier
in the day refused to comment on any
statement regarding the practical pay
mont by the Government OF the cost o.
the strike.
Mr.. Cartons principal comment oil
the situation yesterday was that Their,
would be no strike tomorrow.
III you have any loose change bet |
J that there will be no strike" he salt
at his office at 1876 Broadway. "Com
; in again on Wednesday. You will Sc
everything here running as smooth,
7 as II Is to-day"
In lorna! statement issued by MI
. Carlton he charged that the strik
threat was due to the desire OF tn
union men to cause Government O
other Interference" with the operation
Of the wires throughout the countr,
I After reviewing the strike Throughout
I the Southern States, in which, he de
clared. fewer than s per cent. Of tn
Q employees responded to the call. NJ
Carlton said:
4 THE entire membership OF the telet
d raphers' union throughout the Unite
! States is $500. This small body
t ambitious to dominate not only the 40
n 600 employees OF the Western Uniol
!. but all other tslegraphers in the POST
o Telegraph Company, newspaper o
t fees, brokers, &c. Obviously, this sma
i number of $500 do not expect the
e strike, which has been set for Wedne'
day. to avail. but they do hope TO frixl
e ten the public into the belief that II
q situation IL so acute IL requires int
e ference from governmental or other a,
n thority.
!, Government Action Planned.
This policy was suggested TO II
N president Of the telegraphers' union |
s. an official In Washington. who advise
E. him several months ago that to NAL
10 himself felt and TO secure Interference
l. must create an acute situation. Henc
the call for a strike was put ahead
10 permit this Interference to take place.
10 The union itself is very much co
~ cerned lest the Interference may not a
AZ rive in time. As to what that interfe
g ence may be, / have no opinion. but
rs can speak with authority for the Yves
e. ern Union Telegraph Company. and
&c say that there will be no strike Of Wes
ern Union employees on Wednesday,"
~ Telegraphing In reply from Chicaf
rs S. ]. Konenkamp. national president
III the union. asserted last night:
VI THE only portion of Mr.. Carlton