Omaha daily bee., 1919-07-03
President Of Union Declares
Strike Has Not Been as Pro-
ductive of Results as Desired
Owing to Various Causes.
NEW LAWS MITIGATE
AGAINST SURE SUCCESS
Postmaster Generals Auto
cratic Behavior Scored by S.
J. Konenkamp in Long State
ment to Members of Union.

Chicago, July 2.-The strike OF
telegraphers which began June II
was called off at noon today by S. J.
,Konenkamp, president of the Com
mercial Telegraphers' Union >oi
America. President Konenkamp,
who returned from Washington this
morning, 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 un-
fair and unjust treatment we have
received since August, 1913, at the
hands of the wire administration.
Worked to Compel Action.
"We realized that in order >to
make this protest effective it would
be necessary to make the strike sut-
ficieatly acute to compel action
This does not seem possible now
either through our efforts or the ef-
forts of others we relied upon te
help US. This is the view taken by
many who are vitality interested in
the success of the strike and they
agree with me that to submit the
proposition to a vote Of the mem
befship would result in serious de-
lay and disorganization. Acting up
on this conclusion and with a view
to serving your best interests, !
hereby declare the strike at an end
and you are instructed to work with
out further delay. You have made
a gallant struggle for your rights
as American workingmen and
women.
you have sought minimum oi
the things which the present govern.
ment administration says all work,
ers should enjoy. You have not
only been denied these rights but
governmental agencies have been
used to prevent you getting them
by exercising your own economic
strength.
Send Messages In Bags.
1--WE 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 tina,
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.
"We are doubly unfortunate ir
having to deal with governmental
representative in the person of Mr.
Burleson, who will yield no con.
cession to the workers unless it 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. Despite
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.
Future Not Hopeless.
"The future, however, is not with
out hope. The principles for which
we contend are going to prevail, il
the end. They must prevail because
they are right. The union will con
tinue its fight for the elementa
rights of industrial freedom. w,
urge you as loyal member to con
tinue to do your part.
"The C. T. U. A. will not sur
render. Some reorganization of thu
union may be necessary, but ou
banner flung to the breeze in 100.
will never be furled."
1t was announced that a meeting
of the executive committee of tn
organization would be called in
few days to consider plans of reor
ganization.