South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-06-06

ere thoughts advanced today as
committee met to consider wire
Legislation.
\. C. Kingsbury. vice president OF
the American Telephone and TeIe-
graph company declared Burleson's
order OF late yesterday wiped out
the operating board only and allow
ed the companies to take charge OF
actual operations"
But the postmaster general" ne
said, "stiH holds control over the
wires with the wire control board.
Of which he :s chairman"
Then his order was simply
piece OF fiimfam." said Sen. Kellogg.
chairman of the committee 1t
doesn't amount TO anything
Wasn't its purpose. perhaps. 90
pass the buck on the strike?" asked
Sen. Watson.
Error i'm Statement.
Kingsbury asserted there had been
an error in the official statement
issued last night 10y the post Office
department
The publicity bureau in its head
ing written over the text OF AIr
Burleson's order was unfortunately
misleading" Kingsbury declared
1t stated that the telegraph and
telephone wires were being .eturn-
ed TO their respective owners bv
Burieson. The publicity department
tried 20 recall This heading but APP
parently DO was too late as the state
ment already had been sent out
Sen Kei!ogg began by asking
Kingsbury If the order meant re-
iinquishment Of federal control
No answered Kingsbury
Then Burleson turned back the
responsibility and kept the control"
kellogg observed.
To BE Finish Fight.
Prest S j. Konenkamp OF the
Commercial Telegraphers' Union of
America. today declared Postmaster
Gen. Burleson's order restoring con-
troll OF the wire companies 10 their
own means "a finish fight between
the telegraphers and the Western
Union throughout the country
Wire control" Konenksmp said.
was made necessary by the West
ern Union refusing to reinstate I'M
justly discharged employees and abide
by recommendation of impartial
authorities. Postmaster Cen. Burle-
son, by his action in returning the
wires shows himself a gutter. he
has acted without solving the labor
problem which made necessary the
original seizure OF the wires by the
government We now find ourselves
returning 10 the status quo ante and
forced 10 fight il out"
Immediately upon notification that
BurlesOn had ordered control OF the
wires returned late yesterday Kon-
enkamp authorized strike Of West
ern Union telegra pliers throughout
the southeastern st.fes Though
planning 20 return 10 Chicago last
night FOR q conference with union
officials there. ne remained over to
day TO watch developments
says strike VIII Spread.
Il am informed that 100 percent
OF the men are out at New Orleans
Konenkamp said this morning. and
highly satisfactory word comes from
the entire southeastern section Pos
tai men and others. however. want
20 go out also. II viii be impossible
90 hold them in much longer IL is
certain that the strike VIII spread
throughout the country
Electrical workers throughout the
country have set June Is as The date
upon which they viii leave their
posts--and it was regarded likely
that Konenkamp viii select the
same day or the day before or after
for the nationwide telegraphers'
strike
But possibly IT. may come sooner.
ne indicated today
Administration officials were keep
ing in close touch with strike De-
velopments That Prest Wilson will
take hand was believed likely here
II ne does act. labor leaders believe
he viii refer the trouble 20 the labor
board. removing Il from the jurisdIc-
tion OF the post office department.
This would Doe satisfactory o. Kon-
enkamp. he says
The meat Of the whole matter -
that We can no longer believe an.-
thing Burl--on promises said
Konenkamp today. lie never Keeps
his promises"