Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-06-07
DATE OF PROPOSED
WALKOUT REMAINS
TO Be MADE PUBLIC
KOnenkamp Asserts Order
Will Be Given Within
Short Period. 81.
MANY OPERATORS QUIT
THEIR POSTS IN SOUTH
Figures of Union and Western
Union Officials Vary on
Number of Strikers.
--------
SAY TIE-uP OF WIRES is NEAR
President Of Workers Claims Carlton
Leaves Last Cipher Off Figures,
as Usual.

WASHINGTON. June s.--Pres!dent s.
j. konenkainp. of the Commercial
Photographers Union of America. an
nounced tonight that he would call a
nation wide strike OF members of the
union upon reaching Chicago tomor-
row. He said that neither the date
Of the proposed walkout nor whether
It would affect both the Postal Tela-
graph-Cable Company and the West
ern Union Telegraph and Gable Com
pany had been decided lt
The strike; President konenkamp
said, would be called in support OF
union employees of the Western Union
in ten Southeastern States who were
requested by him to leave their work
of Postmaster-Genera Burleson. ofithe
wire systems Of the country to private
operation.
Post Office Department officials.
while intimating that whereas the wire
systems now were being operated by
the companies, the department was
not directly concerned in the contro-
strike, II called, would not seriously
affect communication.
RefuteH Carlton Figures.
Newcomb Cartons figures on the
number Of striking wiremen we're re-
number of men who have walked out.
His statement follows:
The South has won it's fight already.
and by the time the entire country is
involved the tie-up of the wires will be
complete. Despite reports to the con-
trary. our very lowest estimates show
1900 are out, while Nice-Presiden,
Mann insists that the number has
reached 5000. with other points to be
heard from.
Man, Of the press rep,>s were
instructions had been received. since
announcing the stersotyped never
touchedme' statement. the Western
Union has notified many points in the
indefinite delay
"Mr. Carlton received one surprise
today: but he is due for the surprise OF
having 700 members in the entire
Western Union, and since Atlanta has
furnished 500. New Orleans 900 and
JACK sonville 100 out of that remark
tons right along to his figures. Mr..
carlton has happy faculty of drop
ping the last fgure when discussing
the membership Of our union.
snys Reputation known.
The reputation he made In 1915.
when he discharged 1000 out OF the
mythical $50 members. Is too we'll
known .sI to require discussion.
The western Union president shows
signs of reformation In admitting TODAY
thai IT is unfair to discriminate against
union workers. and il is because Of his
company's unfair tactics along these
lines that the strike has been declared.
ne results OF the first days walk
out In the Southeast suggests that
Mt Burleson had advance information
that he was holding hot wire and
that this accounts for his hurry to lie,
60
The strike will be extended to oth,r
cities without delay and the time for
It's taking effect Will be made know,
from from international headquarters in
tCt,t rl.
tions should be In the hands OF In
ternational Secretary Campbell now
for general distribution"
W. Mn konenkamp planned to leave
Chicago.
Congress Taking Hnnd.
Leaders in Congress. despite the
Postmaster-Generars order returning
the wires to private operation went
forward with their plans for legisla-
olution.
Reopening the hearings on the bill
hy Senator. Kellogg. Republican. Of
Minnesota, for repeal OF the wire reso-
luton. luton. the senate Interstate Commerce
Committee. questioned y. c. Kingsburv.
ce-president OF the American Tele-
phone and Telegraph Company. as TO
legislation necessary to protect the
soros w,re companies: nII,,hI During the hearing
charged that the Postmaster General
confronted by strike Issued the re-
turn. order for the purpose of passing
the buck"
Mr. Burleson. In letter to Chairman
Cumm!ns, OF the Senate Committoe
declared his order had been misinter
preted and that actual control of the
wire systems had not passed from the
department but only operation had
been relinquished.
The committee at the close OF its
hearing agreed TO amend the kellogg
bill so as to continue existing te;e5
phone toll rates in effect for ninety
days after the wires are returned. in
stead OF sixty days as originally pro-
posed. Shortly before the Senate ad
1ourned late today until Monday the
biil was called up and placed In
position with privileged status for
consideration Monday
Chairman Ssch. of the House Inter
state Commerce Committee. announced
arter n meeting OF the committee TO-
day, at which the Postmaster Generals
action was not discussed that actua,
framing OF legislation for return OF
the lines would be considered Monday.
FIGURES VARY WIDELY
ON ATLANTA SITUATION
by Associated PrcssJ
ATLANTA, June 6.--.Announcsment &
by President. Newcomb Carlton Of tho
Western Union Telegraph and Gable
Company, that Morse and muItfniesx 5ts