Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-07-02
HEAD OF KEY
MEN ORDERS
TIEUP ENDED
S. j. Konenkamp Acts to
Bring Telegraphers'
Walkout to Close.

Chicago, Ill, July 2. - The
strike of telegraph operators
which began June II, was CALI
ed off at noon today by s. j.
kOnenkamp of the commercial
Telegraphers' Union Of Amer
lea.
President Konenkamp, who re-
turned from Washington this morn
ing, called off the strike after he
had conferred with other officials
of the union.
A statement addressed to the
members of the organization by
President Konenkamp read in part:
when the present strike was de-
clared against the telegraph com
panies under control Of the wire
administration it was understood
that it would not be made an en-
durance contest The strike was
to be the final protest against the
unfair and unjust treatment We
have received since August, 1915,
at the hands of the wire admin
istration.
Could Not Compel Action.
I'VE realized that in order to-
make this protest effective 1t would
be necessary to make the strike
sufficiently acute to compel action.
This does not seem possible now
either through our efforts or the
efforts of others we relied upon TO,
help US. Acting upon this conclu-t
sion and with a view Of servingl
your best interests hereby declares
the strike at an end and you are in,
Of n 70. Trs7aur
further delay. You have made al
gallant struggle for your rights asJ
American working men and women.
Are Denied Rights.
You have sought a minimum OF
the things which the present gov
ernment administration says ALI
workers should enjoy. You have
not only been denied these rights
but government agencies have been
used to prevent you getting them
by exercising your own economic
strength.
I'VE find that sending kilograms
from city to city in suit cases Is
now permissible although Western
Union officials were arrested for
doing so a year ago. We find that
kilograms are being mailed without
restriction. The telegraph officials
say the government is footing the
strike losses thereby adding this
factor to our opposing forces.
I'VE are doubly unfortunate IN
having to deal with a governmental
representative in the person of Mr..
Burleson, who will yield no con-
cession to the workers unless 1t is
forced from him: and in not being
able to muster enough strength
within our own ranks to compel
him to give us a square deal. De-
spite all of his high sounding words
the fact remains that Burleson has
fought US and aided the telegraph
companies at every turn, and his
party must take the blame.
Must Continue Fight
Our struggle is over a half cen
tury for the right TO organize and
to bargain collectively will have 10
be continued.
"The future, however, is not
without hope. The principles for
which we contend ere going to pre-
vail in the end. The union will
continue it's fight for the elemental
rights of Industrial freedom. We
urge you as a loyal member to con-
tinue to do your part
"The C. T. U. h. will not surren-
der. SCme reorganization of the
union may be necessary but our
banner flung to the breeze in 1902
will never be furled."
1t was announced that a meet
ing of the executive committee of
the organization would be called IN
a few days to consider plans Of re-
organization.