The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-06-10
CONCESSIONS ALONE
CAN AVERT STRIKE
BLAME DEMOCRATIC PARTY
WITH STRIKE.
Burleson Still Bone of Conten
tion - Labor Voters
Threaten Bolt.

Chicago. June l0.-(A. P)-Only
eleventh hour concessions by operating
companies can prevent the strike OF
telegraph and telephone operators. S.
J. konenkamp, president of the COM
mercial telegraphers union of Ameri-
ca, said today after receipt of addi-
tional advices from locals in various
sections of the country.
The only ray OF hope, union officials
said, was that officials of the Postal
Telegraph and Cable company might
sign the new agreement, thus keeping
employees of that company out of the
strike This hope was based on mes
sage from the west TO the effect that
the Federal Telegraph company, oper-
atng land and wireless on the Pacific
coast, had met a union committee and
offered to sign the new agreement.
Local chapters in many cities have
wired President Mackay, OF the Postal
company, urging him to sign the new
agreement before the strike" said
President Konenkamp.
" Waiting Result of Appeal
s. j. Konenkamp, president OF the
Commercial Photographers union. is
awaiting word today of the result OF
an appeal made by several local chap
ters of the union to Clarence II.
Mackay, president of the Postal Tele-
graph company asking him to sign the
union agreement before the general
strike of telegraphers. and telephone
operators becomes effective tomorrow.
Mr.. Mackay has always been very
fair to US" Konenkamp said, "and
we hope he continues to be. II is not
at ali unlikely that through his efforts
we may not have to call out the Postal
telegra piers"
So far as the Western Union is con-
cerned, however. the union officials be-
lieve there is little chance of averting
the strike.
Telegraph company. Pacific coast con-
cern, has signed the agreement with
the union.
Threaten TO Bolt Party
Atlanta. June 10.--U. N. S)-BlaminG
the nationwide wire fiasco directly
upon the democratic party because oi
the bitter opposition of Postmaster
General Burleson to dealing with trade;
unions. sufficient number of labol
union heads have signed an agreement
10 bolt the democratic party in Georgia
which threatens to break the solit
I south in the next general elections /
Burleson is not removed immediately.
These leaders today stated that th'
president will he able to save the stu
alton only by Intervention of the mos
drastic type without delay, with the al
tentative of the odium of forcing tho
general wire strike squarely on the
democratic party Leaders of the
farmers union are joining in the move.
ment, which it is declared will spread
throughout the south Where the labor
support will be placed, union heads de.
clared, will depend upon the attitude
Of the republican party in the coming
wire struggle.
officials OF both telegraph and tele-
phone companies today, beyond stating
that the best service possible under the
circumstances is being rendered. re-
fuse to comment upon the situation.
Strike leaders state that both com
panies are using strike breakers
brought in literally from outside points
the greater number of whom came from
New York, Official figures given out
by the general strike committee TO-DAY
state their registration list shows 50!
telephone and 47G Western Union EN-
ployeS are out on strike.
Lines Drawn.
New York, June 10.-The lines were
being drawn today for the battle to-
morrow between union telegraphers ant
the companies controlling the wire sys-
TENS in the United States. the first
nationwide strike since 1907.
With no prospect for immediate gov
eminent Intervention, both sides were
the union men at 8 o'clock tomorrow
morning. Big business concerns, apt
TO be effected by the strike, were alsC
making their preparations.
Series of conferences between uniOr
officials were in progress both here anC
at National headquarters of the Com
merCal Telegraphers' union in Chicago
It was understood that other confer.
ences were being held at Atlantic city
where the American Federation OF La.
Dor is holding its annual convention
with n view to enlisting further support
The Western Union Telegraph com
pany, against whom the strike is prin-
cipally directed was making arrange.
ments to meet the strike situation to-
morrow. President Newcomb Carltor
would not say what these arrangement!
were. but he declared they would h'
sufficient to enable the company to car
ry on its business without hndrance
He reiterated his previous statements
that only a small percentage of tht
Western Union employees are members
of the union and the places Of III,
strikers will he filled without trouble,
Joseph P. Hayes, president of the as
sociation of Western Union employees
announced that the corporation has de
cided to distribute 81 100000 in bach
pay among employees who do not go OF
strike. Hayes telegraphed all locals o
the association that the Western Unior
would take this action as soon as III,
present ill-adyised agitation is over
The company. he said, is postponnl
this action now because II does no
want to be accused of responding t
strikp inHuppce