Jasper County Democrat, Volume 10, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 August 1907 — HE WON'T INTERVENE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HE WON'T INTERVENE

President Roosevelt Not to Personally Act in the Strike of the Telegraphers. NEILL IN CHARGE OF THE tIASE Executive Doubts His Own Authority to Interfere at AIL CHICAGO 18 TO PUBH HER APPEAL Other. Commercial and Political Bod* lea Will Back up the llourd of Trade—Striker* are Moving Aggressively. Chicago, Aug. 15.—Officials of the Western Union Telegraph company announce that beginning today their regular service to the floor of the Board of Trade will be resumed. Oyster Bay, Aug. 15. President Roosevelt will not concern himself personally with the telegraphers’ strike, according to the best information obtainable here. Appeals to the president to take some action looking to a set-

tlement of the strike have boon re celved at the executive office hero from boards of trade and eoimnercial bodies of a large number of cities. The applications were similar in character to those formulated Tuesday by the Chicago Board of Trade. Each emphasized tin* importance of the direct action by the president. Matter is in Neil's Hands. The communications have been referred to Commissioner of Labor Neil. It i.s understood that no instructions or recommendations have been forwarded to Neil. From the first Neil has been active in 4.11 endeavor to effect a settlement of the trouble. It is stated here that be lias as yet made no report to the president, nor luts he received messages from Roosevelt touching upon the matter iri hand. Nell's movements, however, have been closely followed, and while the direct statement is not made the impression is given that in Neil’s effort the administration considers that the limit of its functions and authority in the matter Is being exercised. Two of the Appeals Received. Among the appeals to the president which followed the one sent Tuesday were one from the Indianapolis Board of Trade and one from the Kansas City Board of Trade. The latter, which Is a fair sample of the substance of the appeals, says: “The deadlock between ,-,e telegraphers and their employers Is a national calamity demanding an immediate settlement of tie differences at issue. In this emergency we must respectfully urge you to use your best endeavors to bring about n settlement.”

MOKE PRESSURE FROM CHICAGO Other Bodies Besides the Board of Trade Are to Act. Chicago, Aug. 15.—There will be further pressure brought upon the president of the United States to intervene personally in the telegraphers’ strike. Civic and political organizations in Chicago are taking the lead, and they probably will he backed up by Individual action on the part of the larger merchandising houses and other commercial interests. The Marquette club, expects to move at once iu support of the Board of Trade. Then that jPowerful body of business men, the Chicago Association of Commerce, is likely to throw Its Influence on the side of peace and add its voice to others requesting the national executive to take hold of the situation. H. A. Stillwell, chairman of the ways and means committee and au active member of the executive ebmmlttee, favors presidential interference. There will be a meeting of the executive committee today and action upon the matter tuny he taken. "If an early Adustment is not reached,” said Stillwell, “I think the president not only would be justified, hut in a measure owes it to the country .to exert his Influence In behalf of a speedy termination of the conflict. I believe he could accomplish a settlement if any

man could, v “If ho saw fit to Intercede In the case of the anthracite coal strike, there would be stronger reasons to prompt the same move now. This strike affects every business in the country, and It strikes directly home to the government through the many departments which make use of the wires." WILL EXTEND THE TROUBLE Strikers Send Out Warning to Commercial Organizations. Chicago, Aug. 15.—The telegraphers’ union, through Secretary Russell, has sent the following warning to cornmermerclal organizations everywhere In this country and Canada: “Within twenty-four hours the telegraphers’ strike, which Is now general, Will be extended to every branch of the commercial telegraph service and will cover every telegrapher not obligated by union contract. This strike was not of our seeking, but was forced upon us by repeated acts of bad faith on the part of both telegraph companies after agreements had concluded. The consistently conservative attitude of the general officers of this union from the time negotiations commenced, several months ago, has been abused and tnken advantage of by the managements of the telegraph companies. “It is’to be regretted that a better conception of the gravity of the situation and the temper of the men has net been shown by these public service corporations. We believe it only fair to yourselves as employers of a large number of our members and with whom theyhaveheld uniformlly friendly relations in the past that you should receive tills notice in order that your business may be adjusted as far as possible to meet it." This was preceded by a message flashed to the local unions as follows: "When the general strike order is issued it will affect every commercial telegraph wire not working under a union contract. We are not desirous of interrupting brokerage business unless absolutely necessary, but must have closed-shop contracts, with S3O a week the minimum wage." The general executive board of the union also dispatched a message to President Roosevelt at Oyster Bay informing him that the union is not interfering with the dispatch of government business in any direct manner.

COMPANIES MAKING GAINS Both of Them Claim to be Progressing—Compere on Peace. Chicago, Aug. 15.—The telegraph situation In Chicago and throughout the entire middle west shows that during the past twenty-four hours the companies whose men went out on strike have made rapid strides towards getting their business back on a normal basis. Conditions have improved so much with the Western Union telegraph company that it felt that it was justified in opening its Board of Trade office, and announcement was made that it would have telegraph operators on the floor when the market opened, ready to accept business for all parts of the country. The Postal Telegraph company officials declared that they wore more than satisfied with wliat they had accomplished towards getting their service going, arid that should matters continue to Improve as rapidly us they did yesterday it will be but a short tlmt* until branch offices will be opened for business. The union officials turned their attention to the broker houses, and all commission men using leased wires were notified that unless working contracts were signed with the men to day their employes would be called out ust as soon as President Small, of the telegraphers’ union, reached Chicago. At a meeting of the broker operators contracts good for a year were presented to the union officials for their approval. At the close of the meeting the list given out showed that probably half of the larger commission firms had signed the uuion scale. Peace efforts inaugurated by Samuel Gompers and other officers of the American Federation of Labor at* still under way, according to a statement made by President Gompers. “The feeling is too intense on both sides of tbc* controversy to make any great headway toward getting the strike lenders and the superintendents of the companies together at thas time,” declared Gompers. "Peace has not failed, because peace has not been considered by either side up to the present time. While men are still answering the impulse to strike, there is little if any use in trying to get them to think of going back.”

SMALL STATES HIS VEKSION Tells Why the Operators Are Striking, Telegraphing Neill. San Francisco, Aug. 12. President Small, of the telegraphers’ union, has given out telegraphic correspondence between himself and Labor Commissioner Neill,’ in which the grievances of the strikers is stated. Small received a dispatch from Neill iu reply to one Small had sent Neill, in whiet the latter, after saying he assumes that the strikes are without Small's authori ty and therefor illegal, goes on: "If locals have no respect for the constitution of the organization, and the national officers cannot control them, what guarantee can you give me that any adjustment satisfactory tc you will be accepted by men on strike' • * • Will you advise me definite!) and specifically what is tlio Serrurad-for which the strike hag occurred and upon wnat terms you would take the reeponslbility of ordering locals back?” To this Small replied as follows: “Cause of present trouble is repudiation of San Francisco agreement which settled strike, d.ocal Manager O’Brien, ChleJL Operator Jeffs, and .Superintend;

ens May have repeatedly discriminated against strikers. Women telegraphers after returning to work humiliated to such extent resigned. Western Union reinstated less than 100 strikers; many still out of employment. Including married mgn. Notwithstanding agreement provides reinstatement strikers without prejudice outsiders given preference and employed. “Present strike illegal, but provocation great and resentment against Western Union officials because of bad faith so universal that general strike be authorized Tuesday unless we can find way to bring about* conciliation. Answering your last question, can guarantee immediate resumption oif work if government will insist upon Investigation or arbitration of propositions embodied In memorial addressed to board of directors of Western Union last June. Local management’s petty discrimination and favoritism toward woman Nichols on Los Angeles circuit caused transfers and dismissals of men long in company’s service, and finally strike.” The Western Union ofliciais deny that they either repudiated or failed to carry out the San Francisco agreement

CAUSE OK THE TROUBLE As Explained by President Clowry of the Western Union. New York. Aug. 10.—Colonel Clowry, president and general manager of the Western Union Telegraph company, gave out the following statement in relation to the strike at Los Angeles and Chicago: “On July 23d an operator at Los Angeles was fie on Important circuits he was discharged with mallciouslydelaying traf flc. As a careful investigation, which occupied several days, proved conclusively that he was guilty of deliberately obstructing traffic on important circuits, he was discharged. “A petition signed by other employes of the office requesting his reinstatement was thereupon presented to the local superintendent, and when the signers were advised that the company would not tolerate the malicious delaying of important messages, and that the disc harged operator would not be re-employed, the majority of the operating force quit work w'ithout notice. * * * “The Chicago operators have presented no grievances, and the present movement is an attempt to enforce the ciosed shop rule, W’hicli if suecesfsul would take control of the company’s affairs out of its own hands. Snch a condition, as has been repeatedly shown, is inimical to the confidential and responsible character of the company’s relation to the United States government and to the public." Nearly Ten Thousand Out. Chicago, Aug. 15.—Twenty-five more strikes have brought the total number of cities affected by the telegraph strike to ninety-six and the total number of operators out of work to 9.077. only a few less than 10,000. The strikes were called in all parts of the country. New England furnished many strikers and Illinois towns contributed to swell, the ranks of the idle key men. Among the larger cities which were affected are Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Louisville. Norfolk, Ya., where the Jamestown exposition is on. was also tied up* Railway Operators Warned. Des Moines, la., Aug. 14.—Grand Secretary Quick has notified the railroad operators belonging to the union that any melsage purporting to have been signed by him and sent over the railroad wires is a “fake.” He told them to strickly observe the agreement with the railroad companies, that they should perform the same duties now that they did before the commereia telegraphers’ strike; nothing more, nothing less.

SAMUEL GOMPERS.