The sun., 1919-06-15
KILOGRAMS BY HAND
! WIRE STRIKERS SAY
Federal Inquiry Asked on
Charge Of Sending by
Suit Case Route.
COMPANIES FIGHT HARD
Wall Street Operators May
a Quit Thursday - Girl
Pickets Have Battle.

Francis G. Caffey. United states At
torney, will be asked tomorrow to take
q hand in the strike of commercial
telegraphers for the purpose of asccr-
tanning whether the telegraph companies
ere "suit casing" messages because OF the
partial tieup of the wires.
The charge will be made by Percy
Thomas, deputy International president
of the Commercial Telegraphers Union.
that evidence has come to him, including
the names Of trusted employees reported
TO have been sent with bundles of mes
sages from New York to other cities.
Two members OF the strike committee
went to the Federal Building yester-
day, but were unable to see Mr.. Caney.
Robert Cole, one of the strike leaders,
then called up the Department of JUS
tice and asked them to send agents to
watch the telegraph offices.
Speaking OF this situation. Mr.. Thomas
said:
Charges have been made TO me that
a telegraph company is suit casing-that
Il, sending messages by messenger from
one city to another method similar to
that for which the Western Union was
indicted, and which Is n direct violation
OF the Federal statutes.
ION Monday I shall go to the United
States District Attorney and request him
to take whatever action he deems neces-
sary to prevent a repetition Of this prac-
tice by any telegraph company"
Company Omcials Worried.
Aside from the exaggerated claims by
both sides OF the effect Of the strike II
was plain yesterday that for the first
time since the men and women quit their
posts the company officials were wor'
ried. The management OF the Postal de-
clared the service was normal. and tina
only per cent. Of the force was out
Coming down from the oftice a reporter
OF THE SUN stopped at the Telegram
window on the first floor ana~asked hov
soon he could get a wire TO Omaha.
1T Is impossible to TELL" said the EN-
ployee at the window. There is heavy
raphers' strike"
James Russo, one of the employees o
the Postal who did not go on strik
when ordered, walked out yecterday an,
reported at headquarters that piles o
messages are lying in the ONCE, will
no facilities for sending them"
The attitude of the Wall Street bro
kerage operators, numbering 75t
changed yesterday afternoon when MI
meeting in their Broad street headquar
ters. A strike Of these men seems Ger
tain, and unless something intervene
the walkout will be scheduled for Thurs
day afternoon or Friday morning.
A committee of these operators. VIII
represent the Eastern Brokerage ID
vision. will appear before the board c
governors OF the Stock Exchange o
Wednesday and give the brokers twer
ty, .t1N, 20 hrtn trAt
upon the Western Union and Posts
Telegraph companies to mediate tn
safike. Another general meeting OF th
brokerage operators will be held o
Thursday, and II an unfavorable repol
Is received from the Stock Exchang
session it Is predicted a sympatheti
strike will be declared. These operator
yesterday pledged $4,000 to the aid c
the strike.
Word was received from the Wester
Brokerage Division OF similar actor
and the quitting of these $500 men
counted on paralyzing the financial bus
ness of the country.
To Provide Operators.
Sewcomb Carlton, president OF ii
Western Union, IS ready to meet the sill
uetion. He said yesterday that h
would provide the brokers with expeI
Morse operators.
1--WE have plenty OF them for use,
said Mr.. Carlton, tine reason for I'll
of1er is patent. l do not believe III
brokerage operators will obey the striR
order They are making excellent wage
and have no grievances against any
body. There Is no logic in a sympath
strike by them.
THE call for men TO 60 out on
sympathy strike when the strike LEAD
ers have been unable to get out the
own men is simply playing our gan
for US. The offer is timely. 1t Is ju!
one more development OF our plans
meet the emergencies presented by II
attempt to interrupt our service"
Mr.. Carlton said the order command
Ing railroad telegraphers not to hand
commercial business, which went I'M
effect at o'clock yesterday morning
seemed to have no effect. Local di
tu:bances. lee said. had been reportt
In Arizona. South Carolina and Okli
hcma. He snid the matter was up
the local authorities. II they don't wal
the service, the Offices will be closed
II they do, they must help keep thel
open.
S. J. KonerG<amp, international pres