COMMERCIAL TELEGRAPHER'S STRIKE CALLED OFF.

After Thirteen Weeks' Struggle the Strike is Officially Ended-History of the Strike and Its Lessons.

The strike of the commercial telegraphers, which began at Los Angeles on August 8, 1907, and which rapidly spread until it involved nearly all of the commercial telegraphers of the country, was officially ended at noon on November 9 by the issuance of the following official notice:

"Chicago, Ill., Nov. 9, 1907. "To all Local Officers and Members:

"A large majority of the locals voting, having declared in favor of the resolution mailed to all locals on Wednesday, November 6, the strike against the Western Union and Postal Telegraph Companies and the Associated Press is hereby officially declared suspended, effective 12 o'clock noon, Saturday, November 9, 1907. All strikers who may so desire are free to seek reinstatement in their former positions. "Signed) W. W. BEATTIE,

"President.

"S. J. KONENKAMP, "Gen. Sec. & Treas. "WESLEY RUSSELL,

"Acting Chairman.

"J. M. SULLIVAN,
"M. J. REIDY,
"FRANK LIKES,

"General Executive Board." As chronicled in these columns last month, a special session of the General Assembly of the Commercial Telegraphers' Union of America was called to meet in Milwaukee on Wednesday, October 23, for the purpose of considering matters in connection with the strike, which convention lasted three days, the principal action at which, so far as the strike was concerned, being the election of three committees of three members each, composed of striking employes of the Western Union, the Postal

and the Associated Press, to wait upon the managements of those respective companies to endeavor to reach a satisfactory adjustment of the matters which were responsible for the strike.

The committees went to New York immediately after the adjournment of the Milwaukee Convention, and endeavored to arrange a meeting with the officials of the interested companies, but were unsuccessful in doing so, and later returned to Chicago and rendered their report to the officers of the union, whose headquarters are in that city.

Upon receipt of the committees' report announcing their failure to secure audiences with the officers of any of the three companies affected by the strike, the following letter was issued to all locals of the Commercial Telegraphers' Union:

"November 6, 1907.

"To all Local Officers. "The following resolution, adopted at the Milwaukee Special Convention, is self-explanatory:

""That this convention elect by ballot one committee of three striking exclusive Western Union employes, one committee of three striking exclusive Postal employees, one committee of three striking exclusive Associated Press employes; that they proceed to New York and enter into negotiations with the three corporations against whom we are striking for a settlement.

66

That the three committees named, after receiving a proposition, shall meet as a joint committee, discuss it and after voting upon the same their report shall be made to the President and General Secretary-Treas. urer, and the recommendation of the National Officers shall be submitted to the various locals.'

"While the original report is quite lengthy, in substance, it is as follows:

""The committee reports that their ef forts to secure an audience with the officials of either company were unsuccessful; that attempts at negotiations through out

"Since the unfortunate episode of October 12th, donations from affiliated unions and other sympathizers have dwindled until they have almost ceased, despite determined and concerted efforts to again enlist the financial assistance of our friends. A large percentage of the strikers having reached the limit of self-sacrifice and endurance in this noble struggle, and without prospect for materially increased assistance, we feel that our moral responsibilities render incumbent upon us a plain statement of the true conditions now existing.

"Desertions have been heavy in all the larger cities during the past ten days. The local officers in New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Pittsburg, Detroit, Atlanta, St. Louis, Chicago, Milwaukee, Kansas City, and Denver report that local conditions suggest the advisability of a suspension of the strike.

"The existing alarming conditions in the financial and business world and apprehension of worse to come impel us to the belief

that our duty demands that we do all in our power to improve conditions and reassure the public mind.

"It has been intimated that while the companies will remain obstinate in their refusal to acknowledge defeat, they are willing, upon the termination of the strike, to materially improve the conditions of their employes. Time will tell. In view of the conditions herein before enumerated, we deem it wise that the strike be suspended pending further developments. We struck for better conditions. In accomplishing this result we shall have won a substantial victory.

"While the companies may boast that they have defeated us, truthfulness would compel them to add, in the words of Pyrrhus, a famous Roman general who won a hard-fought battle, 'If we have such another victory we are undone.'

"Your general officers, the committee on negotiations, concurring, therefore recommend the adoption of the enclosed resolution. Fraternally yours,

"W. W. BEATTIE,

"President.

"WESLEY RUSSELL,

"Gen. Sec.-Treas. "Approved: S. J. Konenkamp, Acting Chairman; M. J. Reidy, J. M. Sullivan, Frank Likes, General Executive Board."

The resolution referred to in the foregoing communication was one declaring the strike off, which was adopted by practically a unanimous vote of the locals, and which resulted in the ending of the strike.

The commercial telegraphers made a most gallant fight; in fact, such a one as could not fail to impress the officials of the companies with whom they were contending that they were "foemen worthy of their steel," and while they did not win a complete victory, they nevertheless won a victory that will be a lasting, inasmuch as they have demonstrated to the telegraph companies, as well as the world at large, that they have grievances which must be righted, and that they are entitled to more consideration than they have received in the past. Also by their magnificent struggle they have no doubt paved the way for amicable negotiations in the future, as it is not believed that a corporation that has gone through a struggle such as the commercial telegraph companies have just passed through will ever again want a repe

tition of it. The commercial telegraphers will maintain their organization intact, reform their lines and by profiting by the experiences and realizations of mistakes of the late struggle, will march on to eventual victory.

It has often been stated in these columns that a wise man not only profits by his own experience, but by the experiences of others, and a careful perusal of the history of the late struggle furnishes some interesting facts and much food for thought. In order for the commercial telegraphers to profit by their experience in the late struggle and the railroad telegraphers to profit by the experience of others, it is necessary that the principal facts in connection with the matter be known, and, therefore, a brief resume of the history of the commercial telegraphers' movement since January 1, 1907, would seem to be profitable to all concerned.

Beginning with the present year, the increase in membership of the Commercial Telegraphers' Union of America was little less than phenomenal, and, as is usually the case under such conditions, the membership in general became insistent upon a speedy movement looking towards the institution of schedules or working agreements with the two great commercial telegraph companies. As a direct result of the wave of organization that swept the commercial telegraph ranks, the Western Union Telegraph Company announced an increase of ten per cent in wages, to take effect March 1, and similar action was taken by the Postal Telegraph Company. A few weeks later movements were started in several of the larger cities to secure local schedules, which efforts were unsuccessful, and which were followed by the presenting of a memorial by the President of the union, first to the President and then to the Board of Directors of the Western Union and Postal Telegraph Companies, setting forth in detail their demands and a statement of their grievances, including discrimination the use of the sliding scale and other matters.

Efforts to arrange for a meeting between the officials of the telegraph companies and a committee representing their respective employes were unavailing, and serious trouble seemed imminent, and on June 10 the General Executive Board of the union was convened in New York City for the purpose

of going over the situation with the Presi dent.

As further efforts to bring about an amicable adjustment of the matters at issue proved fruitless, the calling of a strike in San Francisco was decided upon, to Occur a few days later, if nothing transpired in the meantime to relieve the situation, and President Small left New York for San Francisco, to take personal charge, in case a strike should be found necessary. As there seemed to be every prospect of a strike, which it was expected would eventually involve the commercial telegraphers of the whole country, Commissioner of Labor, Chas. P. Neill, went to New York for the purpose of using his good offices in an effort to bring about an understanding be tween the companies and their employes, in order, if possible, to avert trouble, which it was realized would have a serious effect on the whole country. Commissioner Neill met with considerable success in his efforts, and within three days after his arrival had, as it was then supposed, effected a settlement of the whole matter.

Upon President Small's departure for San Francisco he appointed S. J. Konenkamp, Acting Chairman of the General Executive Board, as Deputy President, to represent him in whatever future negotiations were held in New York, and upon Commissioner Neill's arrival in New York he conferred with the officers of the companies and with Deputy President Konenkamp on behalf of the union. Deputy President Konenkamp eventually submitted the following written proposition to Commissioner Neill as a basis of settlement of the difficulties with the Western Union Telegraph Company, which was concurred in by the other members of the General Executive Board and by the General Secretary and Treasurer of the union:

"If Mr. Neill can give us satisfactory assurances that the management of the Western Union will:

"First, see that any man who has not received the full ten per cent increase as given on March 1 shall receive such ad

vance.

"Second, maintain for all wires the respective ratings that were in effect on March 1, and will pay the said ratings to any telegrapher assigned to such wires, and will pay to extra men the rates in effect on

March 1, inclusive of the ten per cent advance, for such extra work.

"Third, see that no telegrapher is dismissed or punished by any representative of the company for his or her affiliation with a labor union, and will restore to their for mer positions any telegrapher who may have been dismissed or reduced for such cause.

"We will waive the request for an eighthour day and the furnishing of typewriters that we have asked of the management of the company: Provided, that if any telegrapher who has grievance under any of the above heads can not secure a satisfactory adjustment of it by the District Superintendent, the company will arbitrate the question, the telegrapher to select an arbitrator, the company the other, and these two the third; and in the event these two can not agree on the third arbitrator within one week, the third arbitrator shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Interstate Commerce Commission and the United States Commissioner of Labor, acting joint. ly; provided, further, that any telegrapher who at any time has a grievance can take it up with the District Superintendent in person or through any committee he may select from the other employes of the company in the same district."

Commissioner of Labor Neill, after further conferences with President Clowry of the Western Union, was given the following letter by that official, which, it will be seen, generally embraces the stipulations made by the union as a basis of settlement, which letter was accepted by Deputy President Konenkamp and the General Executive Board on behalf of the Commercial Telegraphers' Union, and assurances were given Commissioner Neill that there would be no trouble, and that the union would in future proceed along the lines laid down in the letter:

"Referring to the conferences held between yourself and me and other officers of the Western Union Telegraph Company, and having in view the possible grave inconvenience of the public following any general interruption of our business, I am glad to make clear to you the position occupied by the Western Union Telegraph Company in regard to this whole matter.

"As to statements made by persons in no way connected with this company that the ten per cent increase granted by the tele

graph company on March 1, last, has not been applied to all salaried telegraphers, I desire to say the telegraph company announced this increase in good faith and is carrying it out in good faith, and that if any case can be found in which the increase was not granted it will be corrected at once.

"The statement also being made that the telegraph company is endeavoring to neutralize the ten per cent advance by the application of a so-called sliding scale is without foundation. There is no such practice in effect, nor is there any intention of putting it into effect by the management of this company.

"The standard salaries for regular positions as established by the increase of March 1, will be maintained, and the company will pay to any man appointed or promoted to any position the salary attached to that position after that increase, and will pay to extra men the salaries in effect for their work as of March 1, inclusive of the ten per cent increase.

discriminated

"This company has not against nor will it discriminate against any employe of the company because of affiliation or non-affiliation with any organization; and if it can be shown to me that any subordinate has been dismissed or been discriminated against or any telegrapher dismissed because of affiliation with any organization, such telegrapher shall be restored to his position without prejudice.

"As evidence of the absolute good faith of the Western Union Telegraph Company in its relations to its employes, I beg to say that if any telegrapher feels that he has any grievance under any of the foregoing conditions, and if he can not secure a satis factory adjustment of his complaint with the officers of the company, we will submit the matter to the arbitration of three parties, one to be selected by the telegraphers, one by the telegraph company and the third to be selected by the two so chosen, and in the event that the two cannot agree upon a third arbitrator within one week, we will be very glad to have such third arbitrator chosen by the Chairman of the Interstate Commerce Commission and the Commissioner of Labor acting jointly.

"As a further evidence of our entire willingness to deal fairly and preserve amicable relations directly with our employes, any telegrapher who at any time has a

grievance can take it up with his superior either in person or if he wishes, through any committee he may select from the other employes of the company in the same district.

"I have outlined above, in brief, the position the Western Union Telegraph Company holds in regard to matters we have discussed, and you are at liberty to make any use of this letter that you see fit.

"R. L. CLOWRY, President."

Telegraph

The officials of the Postal Company immediately thereafter issued a statement announcing their policy.

President Small, who had in the meantime arrived in San Francisco, was notified by telegraph of the settlement made, but regardless of the fact that the settlement was made by his direct representatives, and the other officers of the union insisted upon it being observed, President Small called a strike in San Francisco on the following day, thereby repudiating the agreement.

Between the time the agreement was made in New York and the strike was called in San Francisco, several messages were exchanged between President Small and the General Executive Board, in one of which President Small announced that unless a 25 per cent increase was granted in San Francisco he would call the strike. In reply to this telegram the General Executive Board insisted upon President Small living up to the agreement made with Commissioner Neill, and through him with the Western Union Telegraph Company, and informed him that the General Executive Board would not approve of his contemplated action in calling a strike in San Francisco, which approval was necessary under the laws of the Commercial Telegraphers' Union, but regardless of this the strike was called.

Commissioner of Labor Neill and the General Executive Board then went to San Francisco, and after considerable effort on the part of Commissioner Neill a settlement of that trouble was brought about, which settlement occurred four weeks after the inauguration of the strike, the basis of which was to be the reinstatement without prejudice at their old salaries within thirty days of all those engaging in the strike with the understanding that after the expiration of thirty days from the termination of such strike the employes were to send a committee to the officials of the two

companies in San Francisco, in accordance with the provisions of the letter of President Clowry, and that Commissioner Neill would in the meantime prepare a report of the increased cost of living in San Francisco, a copy of which report was to be furnished to the Superintendent of the Western Union, the Superintendent of the Postal, and to President Small, and it was further agreed that Superintendent Miller, of the Western Union, and Superintendent Storer, of the Postal, would make their recommen dations to the higher officials of the companies in New York in regard to the demands of the employes, and that they would use their influence towards bringing about better conditions.

The employes claim that one or both of. the companies violated the intent of the agreement, if they did not in fact violate the actual wording of it, and prior to the expiration of the thirty days that was to elapse before the committees were to go up, the strike in Los Angeles broke out, which was soon followed by strikes in Chicago and other cities, and which eventually became general, the result of which is now a matter of history.

It would seem that it is fair to assert that the Los Angeles strike, which eventually led to the general strike, was directly attributable to the feeling engendered by the San Francisco strike, and, therefore, that the whole trouble had its inception in the San Francisco strike.

The members of the General Executive Board, when they entered into the agreement with Commissioner of Labor Neill to accept the letters of President Clowry, believed that a very substantial victory had been accomplished, as did also other officers of that union, and a careful perusal of that document would seem to bear out that opinion. An assurance on the part of the highest official of the Western Union Telegraph Company, made through the Commissioner of Labor of the United States, that there would be no discrimination against any employe on account of membership in the union, a guarantee to put into effect the 10 per cent increase wher ever it had not been put into effect, the elimination of the so-called sliding scale, an agreement to rate the wires and meet committees, and last, but not least, an agreement on the part of the Western Union Telegraph Company to submit to arbitra