Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-09-19

New York. Sept. 1S-(By A. P.)-
New York went without its leading
newspaper for the better part of "a
hours Tuesday when a strike of $500
web pressmen prevented pubIicat ton
of a majority of the cities morning
and evening dailies.
From midnight last night Until this
evening. the city's millions, most
avid newspaper readers of the world.
practically were cut off from news OF
their own city and the rest Of the
worlds doings. f
The metropolis found its breakfast
and its daily chores made dreary by
the absence of the morning news
papers.
Newspapers in nearby New Jersey
cities. smaller local papers not af-
fected by the strike and foreign
newspapers fastened to take advan-
tage of the situation, rushing thou
sands OF papers and scores of emer-
gency newsboys to the more import
ant traffic intersections where they
enjoyed an unprecedented sale at
premium prices.
One Boston newspaper sent copies
OF a special edition to the city by air.
plane.
The newspaper famine was relieved
in the late afternoon when a COM
posite newspaper, representing joint
~ the IL afternoon newspapers af-
fected and printed separately by the
various sheets. appeared on the
streets.
The unique publication which bore
the names Of all the IL newspapers in
the usual typographical style and
used by each was the result of a con-
ference between newspaper owners
and officials of the International I'M
ion. 1t was there decided that the
papers would pool their resources to
permit the publication of a six or
eight page newspaper to contain
whatever advertisements and news
each of the dailies deemed Ii expe-
dent to print.
Across the top Of the combined pa
per were the words:
The Combined New York I've
ming Newspapers"
The strike was called a few min
utes after midnight by Web Press
mems Union. No. %. after the Or
ganiZation had concluded q our
hour meeting. President David
Simms of the union declared tat
all but one of the members had vot-
ed for the strike which, he said.
grew out of the inability of the
union and the strike publishers-s4o
agree on a working contract to- e
place the one which expired Sepyem-
Der !. w.
The newspaper owners announced
through the Publishers Associatim
that the walkout was taken without
due notice and was unjustified.
George L. Berry. OF the Interna-
tional Union. characterized the strike
as Illegal. without the sanction OF
the International and in violationsof
the tri-parte agreement to ar5,srs.te
any differences which might arise
between the International, local and
publishers. t-s
The publishers tonight made pub
lie a letter from Mr.. Berry to cffi-
GERS OF the local union in which he
declared action would be taken to
cancel the unions charter unless the
pressmen returned to work immedi.
ateIy.
Mr.. Berry directed the men TO re-
turn to their positions and gaid rn-
less they complied with the request
lit will be necessary to cancel the
charter of New York Newspaper
Web Pressmen's Union. No. 2J."
The strike was called at the con-
clusion of a four-hour meeting Of
the printing pressmen members Of
the Web Pressmen's Union, No. d.
President David Simons of the union
declared that but one OF the Print
ers at the meeting had voted against
the strike. which he said, grew out
Of inability Of the union and -fhe
publishers to agree to q working
contract TO replace one which ex-
pired September ]. A statement Is
sued by Mr.. Simons said:
For the past IS months weshav9
been working under an agreement
known as Judge Manton's award.
which decreased our earning capacity
IS per cent, 1t imposed more hours q
employmenton pressmen than on any
OF the other mechanical trades m me
newspaper industry. II has made con-
ditions unbearabIe. The death ratA16f
our union has increased 50 per cent.
- After a dozen meetings be-
tween our local committee and local
publishers we found II impossible TO
(contin1sd on Psss CCoI.