Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1919-06-20
Phone Men Go Out

Because the Newark Telephone Co.
refused to grant the increase called
for in the new agreement presented
by the employees, and in accordance
with instructions received from ma
tional headquarters, the linemen in
the employ of the company walked
out Tuesday morning.
The strike was to have been called
at 8 o'clock Monday morning, but
owing to a hope that action favor
able to granting the boost in price
asked for would materialize at the
city council meeting in the evening,
it was held in allegiance until the
following day. The matter was dis
cussed at a star chamber session held
bv that body after the regular meet
ing, at which a resolution prepared
bv representatives of the telephone
company appeared, authorizing the
withdrawal of the suit in court by the
city solicitor, but as none of the city
dads would father the document it
accomplished nothing.
The strike will, unless promptly
settled, undoubtedly result in great
inconvenience to the citizens of New
ark. as when an instrument "goes
out' the company will be unable to
furnish a man to remedy the trouble,
and of course all other electrical
workers and linemen in the city, be-
ing members of the union, will not be
allowed to assist in keeping the lines
in working condition.
Business agent Samuel Alsdorf Of
the local branch Of International
Electrical Workers who has charge
of the affairs, anticipates no trouble
beween the men and anyone employ
ed at the plant. The members of the
union, he says, are asking about a
20 per cent increase to which they
believe they are entitled, as it is no
more than what is received by skilled
artisans of other crafts. The occupa-
ton is of dangerous nature and the
men work nine hours a day. They
believe in the business of their de-
mands and will stand firmly together
until their demand is granted.
Mr.. Alsdorf stated Thursday morn
ing that matters remained practically
the same as when the walkout oc-
cured He also says that the opinion
of the city solicitor and two other
attorneys is to the effect that it
would be perfectly legal to allow the
injunction proceedings to remain
dormant during the life of the pro-
posed contract June l, 1920) and
permit the present increased rate to
revert to the telephone company. He
further stated most emphaticallN
that there is no collusion between the
employees and the company, as is
charged by some people, and that the
men are for themselves alone. He
saws that an informal caucus of the
members of the city council was held
Wednesday evening at which time 1t
was decided that the council could
not lawfully interfere with or change
the rate during the life of the ordin-
ance fixing the same.
Manager Hollander claims that the
net revenue of the company, owing
to the advance in price of everything |
necessary in conducting it's business
since the present rate ordinance was
passed, renders the granting of the
mems demands an absolute impos-
sibility, and there the matter rests.
Solicitor Ashcraft makes the fol-
lowing statement: eff the Newark
Telephone company does not keep up J
its property, the case will be re-
ferred to the Public Utilities Com
mission, whose duty it is to see that
the property is kept up and public
service rendered"
1t is hoped that satisfactory ad-
justment of the difficulty may short
ly be arrived at.