The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1919-06-10

learning CnaC postmaster deHeIdi
Burleson had ordered wires returned
to the companies" Mr.. Konenkamp
asserted. Authority for it was ex-
tended by strike vote taken some
time ago, which has been held to see
if we could not negotiate peace
able settlement. 1t is very likely
that the strike will also involve the
Postal Company, but that cannot. be
determined yet
Extends Over Southeast.
Atlanta, Ca, June 5.-The strike
Of union telegraph operators en-
ployed by the Western Union was
extended over the Southeast tonight
following Postmaster General Burle-
sons orders returning the wire COM
panies to private control. The walk
out was ordered in support of the
local strike. ,sssS,
In the absence of Charles F. Mann,
third vice president and Southern
organizer of the Commercial Tele-.
graphers' Union of America, who
was confined to his home by illness,
p. G. Fonyille, president of the local
council, announced that dispatches
were being received hourly showing
that members Of the union were
obeying the orders as rapidly as it
reached them.
No Serious Effect.
M. c.. Worthen, general manager
of the Southern division of the West
ern Union, with Headquarters here,
said the latest move Of the union
men would not seriously affect the
company,
sI cannot see that we will be Sc
riously affected" he continued. "The
union is stronger here than in any
other. place, in the South and that's
why they made their first show here:
We brought into Atlanta ninety-six
operators from New York late today
and may send some of them to other
Southern cities if necessary. Some
of them may ge to Birmingham as a
matter Of precaution."
Conflicting Views.
In correction with the extension
Of the strike it was asserted here to-
night by union leaders that the Post
al Telegraph Cable Company was
employing union men who went on
strike from the Western Union. Ask
ed about this. General Superintend-
ent Riddle, ofthe Postal, said he did
not know personally.
Up to Local Chief.
s.The question Of employing new
operators is up to the local chief op-
orators he added. ''We don't dis
criminate against operators because
they are members of union, or be-
cause they have worked for the
Western Union. If the men apply
ing for jobs were good operators and
we needed them I should think the
local chiefs would hire them"
The strike had it's inception in the
walk-out Monday of employees Of the
two telephone companies here who
are affiliated with the telegraphers'
union. They struck asserting dis
charge of certain employees for join
ing the union, which the company
denied. That situation remains un-
changed. On Wednesday local West
ern Union operators, members of the
Commercial Telegraphers' Union OF
America, struck in support of the
telephone workers. The strike
throughout the Southeast was called
to support these. Many of the tel
ephone workers are affiliated with
the telegraphers' union.
Mayor Key today wired Postmast-
er General Burleson and S. j. Kon-
enenkamp, president of the union,
asking appointment of local COM
mittee to arbitrate the matters at is
sue here. Meanwhile the postoffice
officials have been investigating the
telephone strike.
Postoffce Officials Silent.
Postoffice officials were unwilling
tonight to comment on the call for a
strike of union telegraph operators
of the Western Union in Southeast
ern States, taking the position that
the. situation was out of their juris-
diction in view of the return of wire
properties, but the belief at the de-
partment was that the strike would
not involve enough men to seriously
handicap service.
President Konenkamp refused to