The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-04-28
BY ROBERT LAKE


L industries upon the communica-
tions industry, particularly tele-
graph, is an unquestioned fact. In
this capacity let me quote Mr.. Ralph
E. Berry of the University of Cali
fornia in his report on the impor-
lance of the telegraph industry.
"One can scarcely conceive of our
great railroad systems operating
without the aid of the telegraph.
And business in general, were it
forced for a week to dispense with
the aid of the telegraph, would find
itself in state of paralyzed I'M
certainty. In short, the telegraph
is a public necessity, vital to the
commercial, economic, industrial
and social welfare Of this country"
The Importance of communica-
tions from a war viewpoint was
proved when the u. S. government
in the late world war summary
took over all of the telegraph COM
panies. The present maneuvers in
Washington to put communications
under centralized government con-
troll is but a further step in pre-
paration for the rapidly nearing
next war.
Neglected by Trade Unions, Party
Yet, despite the obvious signifi-
canoe of this industry, not sufficient
attention has been given to it in
line with the Party program of con-
centration on basic industries. Until
recently it has been subject to neg
lect in trade union and Party work,
while its Importance has been I'M
derestimated by Party members who
are themselves working in the tele-
graph industry.
The workers of the telegraph in
dustry are not new to struggle. In
fact, they have tradition of mill
tant struggle and strike action. On
April 90 1918, in the midst of the
last World War, 10000 telegraphsrs
startled the world with a strike Ill
timatum to their companies, de-
manding higher wages and better
conditions. The significant feature
of this strike ultimatum is that the
militancy of the rank and file broke
through all of the prevailing patri-
otto propaganda and forced the
union leaders to accede to their de-
mands. Immediately all of the
forces of government and big bust
ness were brought into play. The
strike call was postponed on April
90, giving a breathing spell for the
union leaders to put into motion
their sure sell-out policies.
Mr.. S. J. Konenchamp, President
of the Commercial Telegraphers Of
America showed his true colors by
announcing that he would not sane
ton strike pending the outcome
of the controversy between the tele-
graph companies and their men
through the War Labor Board. Then
started the run around policy"
which is so much in evidence today
with the National Labor Board of
the MIRA. History does repeat it.
self.
Similarities-19l8 and 1884
The following steps in this situa-
ton are Illuminating. Western
Union refused to cease dLscharging
union men pending settlement.
When the Labor Poicy Board ruled
that Western Union must not dis
charge union operators, it was
agreed that the discharged tele-
graphers be reinstated with the
usual reservations. However, when
the Labor Policies Board finally gave
out its final decision in form of
a compromise, the Western Union
fatty rejected it and insisted that
it would not allow unionization of
its employees. (How similar this
sounds to the Budd, Weirton and
other. caSes)
The militancy of the rank and
file rose as they prepared to strike
in 200 leading cities in spite of their
leaders. Mr. Konenchamp, the
union president, rushed to Washing
ton to consult with the arch mis-
leader, Samuel Gompers The War
Labor Board called President earle
ton of Western Union and Mr..
Konenchamp to conferences, but re-
fused TO lis-<l to discharged tele-
! graphers or rank and file members.
Strike Preparations Proceed
In the meantime preparations for
the strike were proceeding. The
usual newspaper scares saying that
government control would result
from a strike we're injected to break
the spirit of the rank and file. In
San Francisco, Western Union locked
out operators for wearing union
buttons. This growing militancy of
the telegTaphers forced union off,
Gals to set strike date and mail
out strike instructions,
This time the strike was averted
by President wilson's approval of
the original recommendation of the
War Labor Board which was re-
jected by Western Union officials.
Thus by putting their faith in the
justice of the president the employ
ees were again sold out. Shades of
/ the recent mine and auto strike
situations!