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The Western Union
r and the
War Labor Board
The Company’s Position
T H E W E STERN UNION TELEGRAPH COMPANY
NEW YORK
1918
T H E W E S T E R N U N I O N A N ID

CONTENTS
I. The Prime Facts and the Steps Taken 3-10
II. Reasons for the Action Taken. . . . . . II–18
III. Official Report of War Iabor Board. . 19–27
IV. Extracts from Postmaster General’s
Report. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28–31
(Showing attitude of Post Office Department)
V. What has been done by the Company 32–40
T H E W A R L A B O R B O A R D
I
The Prime Facts and
the Steps Taken
This pamphlet is issued in order that those
interested may have available the essential
data as to the labor policy of the Western
Union Telegraph Company.
The Prime
Facts
The prime facts in this situation to be
noted are the following:
1. There has been and is at present no
dispute between the company and its em-
ployees.
2. The continuity or the quality of its
service has at no time been threatened by
any action of the employees of the company.
3. In protection of the public the policy
of the company has been to refuse to have
dealings with any labor organization which
3
T H E W E S T E R N U N I O N A N D
employs the strike for its own ends or in
sympathy with others, the company’s policy
in this being precisely the same as that of the
Post Office Department, to whose service
that of this company is in many ways so
closely analagous.
4. It has for over ten years made it a
condition that it would not employ persons
who were members of such organizations or
retain in its employ those who became mem-
bers. Its policy in this regard was so well
known that it was understood that those who
accepted employment were considered to have
agreed thereto.
5. The labor union involved in this
matter has no membership whatever among
this company’s employees, but is an organiza-
tion carrying on a propaganda to induce our
employees to become members.
6. The labor union which invoked the
interference of the National War Labor
Board sought to secure an interpretation
of the Board’s principles that would in effect
become a mandate of the Board in support
of its propaganda to secure members from
the staff of the company by inducing them
to violate the conditions of their cmployment.
7. The procedure of the National War
Labor Board as embodied in its statement
4.
T H E W A R L A B O R B O A R D
of principles and put into force by the Presi-
dent’s proclamation, requires thatin cases where
it is unable to bring about a settlement
between parties, or in cases wherein the
members of the Board “shall be unable to
unanimously agree upon decision,” an
umpire shall be appointed to decide the
controversy.
8. In this case there was no unanimous
decision by the National War Labor Board
and no umpire was appointed. By a majority
vote it decided to make no finding.
9. The belief of the company is that the
telegraph being nation-wide and essential
for public use must be uninterrupted, hence
the essential employees, especially those
working the wires, cannot be subject to a strike
order either for their own benefit or sympa-
thetically for the benefit of others, nor can
there be organization, harmony or facility in
the handling of Government and public busi-
ness if groups of the essential force owe alle-
giance to different and divergent interests.
10. Notwithstanding its firm belief that its
long standing policy was in the interest of
the public, in view of the circumstances of the
times and to uphold the authority of the
National War Labor Board in every possible
respect, the company offered to submit the
5
T H E W E S T E R N U N I O N A N D
matter of the alleged wishes of its employees
to a secret referendum to be held under the
direction and control of the War Labor
Board. No consideration whatever was
given to this fair and reasonable proposal.
11. The company maintains that the condi-
tions surrounding its service are of a character
to justify the public support of its position,
especially in view of its entire willingness to
leave to the self determination of the majority
of its employees the question whether it
should waive a condition of employment of
long standing and adopted wholly as a
measure of protection to the public service
the company is expected to render.
12. The Western Union has no quarrel
with the principle of unionism. There are
associated with the company many employees
who are members of various unions. To sur-
render control of the direction of its business
and of the essential employees to an outside
organization animated in its policies by con-
siderations having nothing to do with pro-
moting the service of the company as a
great public utility, would be subversive of
the very principles upon which the company
regards its public obligations to rest.
T H E W A R L A B O R B O A R D
The Steps
Taken
I. Under date of March 29, 1918, the War
Labor Conference Board, representing em-
ployers and employees, recommended the
appointment of a War Labor Board “to bring
about a settlement of mediation and concilia-
tion of every controversy arising between
employers and workers in the field of produc-
tion necessary for the effective conduct of
the war.”
II. While there was not on that date, and
there is not now, any controversy between
the Western Union Telegraph Company and
its employees, there was an organization of
which none of this company’s employees were
members, which had for many years been
seeking to induce our employees to ally them-
selves with it. Though there are some 70,000
Morse operators in the United States and
Canada, only 2,500 of them are members of
this organization, and they are chiefly Cana-
dians.
III. Immediately the project of forming a
War Labor Board was under way, this organi-
zation undertook an unusually active propa-
ganda especially directed to our employees.
Meetings were held on April 28th under the
direction of the organization in various cities
7
T H E W E S T E R N U N I O N A N D
throughout the country and about 40,000
of our employees were invited to attend.
IV. Notwithstanding the promises of higher
wages, better working conditions, and guar-
antees against loss of position made by the
organizers of these people, only 140 Western
Union employees responded.
This small number understood perfectly well
that the long-established, well-advertised policy
of the company was opposed to membership in
this particular organization and that they were
making a choice between employment with the
Western Union and membership in this organiza-
tion.
The reasons actuating this policy of the
company have been long and thoroughly con-
sidered. They are in keeping with the policy
of the Post Office Department, which, in order
to maintain its service unimpaired and unin-
terrupted, has objected to its members joining
a labor union which employs the strike either
directly or in sympathy with other strikes.
The telegraph service is in many respects very
similar to the postal service and the vitally
important feature of it is, of course, its prompt-
ness and continuity.
The policy of the Post Office Department
was set forth fully by Postmaster General
Burleson in his report for 1917, wherein he states
explicitly that certain labor organizations have
taken advantage of the war emergency to at-
tempt with the Post Office Department pre-
8
T H E W A R L A B O R B O A R D
cisely what in this case has been attempted by
this particular organization against the tele-
graph service. (See on page 28 extracts from
the report of the Postmaster General on this
subject.)
V. Immediately after this issue had been
created, these former employees of the
Western Union appealed to the newly created
War Labor Board, headed by Honorable
William H. Taft and Honorable Frank P.
Walsh. The War Labor Board immediately
asked the company to agree not to take any
action against the employees who had allied
themselves with this organization.
VI. Convinced, however, that the whole
campaign of this organization had been based
upon misleading promises and guarantees, the
company was clear that to sacrifice its own
principles in this matter, even temporarily,
would only result in the further misleading of
its employees and general demoralization of
the service the company was under obligation
to render to the public, and the War Labor
Board was so advised.
VII. Mr. Carlton shortly afterward appeared
before the War Labor Board at Washington
and presented a statement of the company’s
position, which, in substance, is reprinted
herein.
T H E W E S T E R N U N I O N A N D
VIII. In a telegram to the War Labor
Board dated May 22 (see page 21), the
Western Union Telegraph Company offered
to submit to a secret ballot of its employees
the question and, in case the majority of its
employees so voted, to agree to permit its
employees to become members of the Com-
mercial Telegraphers Union.
IX. The company also offered to co-operate
with the War Labor Board in the develop-
ment of an organization to be confined to the
Western Union employees, thus giving the
employees all opportunities for collective
bargaining, and agreeing to submit all differ-
ences between the company and this organi-
zation to arbitration by the National War
Labor Board.
X. Neither of these propositions appear to
have received consideration by the War
Labor Board, but the Company has subse-
quently undertaken on its own account to
invite its employees to a conference looking
to the development of such an organization
as that indicated. (See page 32 for action of
Board of Directors, Western Union Telegraph
Company, on this subject.)
XI. The subsequent proceedings are indi-
cated in the report herein published in full as
issued by the War Labor Board on page 19.
10
T H E W A R L A B O R B O A R D
II
Reasons for the
Company’s Position
Following the announcement of the War Labor Board, Newcomb
Carlton, President of the Western Union, issued the following state-
ment to the press:
“The telegraph company understands that
its employees have made no complaints to the
National War Labor Board respecting hours
of labor, rates of pay, or general working
conditions.
“The company does understand that the
officials of an organization known as the
Commercial Telegraphers Union of America,
whose membership is made up of a small
contingent of telegraphers not in the employ
of the telegraph company, about 2500 in
number, and principally resident in Canada
desire to enlarge their membership, among
approximately 40,000 Western Union em-
II.
T H E W E S T E R N U N I O N A N D
ployees, of whom about one-half are directly
engaged in working the wires.
“In recognition of the fact that the first
obligation of the telegraph system is to main-
tain uninterrupted service for the public and
the Government, the settled and well adver-
tised policy of the company has always been
to oppose any organization of operators that
employs the strike.
Post Office Department against
unionizing Mail Service
“Our policy in this respect is based upon
the same reasoning as that of the Post Office
Department, whose policy with respect to the
unionizing of Post Office employees is set forth
in the last report of the Postmaster General.
The Postmaster General said:
ſ An outside organization has during the past
several years attempted to unionize Govern-
ment employees, including those in the Postal
Service, and a large number of postal em-
ployees are now affiliated with it, and others
soon will be, notwithstanding the fact that
such affiliation is believed to be contrary to
the Act of August 24, 1912.
12
T H E W A R L A B O R B O A R D
The adviſºbility of permitting Government
employees to affiliate with an outside organiza-
tion and use the strike and boycott as a last
resort to enforce their demands is seriously
questioned by those interested in the public
welfare.
Postal employees have become bold because
of this affiliation and have within recent years
threatened to strike, and in one case actually
did so by tendering their resignations and
leaving the service in a body. In this case
they were promptly indicted and prosecuted
in the Federal courts.
While strikes in the Postal Service may
be averted for the time being, yet they will
inevitably come, and the public will then be
brought face to face with a most serious
situation—one which will be a menace to our
| Government. —From report of the Postmaster General,
1917. Further eastracts on pages 28–31.
Employees understand
policy of Company
“This policy is so well understood by em-
ployees that the company feels that there is an
obligation upon them not to ally themselves
with the Commercial Telegraphers Union of
America. -
“It is well to bear in mind that there are
two national systems of communication
13
T H E W E S T E R N U N I O N A N D
universal in character and open to the public
at low cost—
“The United States Mail and the telegraph
system.
“Each must maintain an uninterrupted,
efficient service if confusion and disorder are
not to take the place of well-ordered national
procedure.
Disastrous effects of
interruption to Service
“It would be impossible to estimate the loss
and damage to the Government and the public
were either of these two great means of com-
munication to be interrupted.
“At this hour, when the destiny of
nations depends upon quick communi-
cation, there should be no experiments.
“I am in close touch with thousands of our
employees and I am satisfied from my personal
acquaintance with them that fully 99 per
cent are giving their best energies in helping to
win the war by maintaining an efficient tele-
14
T H E W A R L A B O R B O A R D
graph and cable service, and that they do not
require the aid of an outside organization to
secure the completest recognition of their
rights on the part of the company, and do not
desire the interference of such organization
in the adjustment of their relations with the
Company.
“The telegraph company understands that
in organizing the National War Labor Board
it was intended that organizations that were
unionized should remain so and those pursuing
the policy of an open shop should not be
changed. -
Non-union organizations and
the policy announced by the President
“By inference it is equally clear that organi-
zations non-union in character should also
pursue that policy during the period of the
Wal'.
“It appears clear that the board should act
as mediator in disputes that arise between
employers and employees under the labor
relationship and policies that existed prior to
15
T H E W E S T E R N U N I O N A N D
the war; that the principles formulated by the
War Labor Conference Board and recom-
mended to the President had as their funda-
mental basis the continuance of the relations
affecting the organization of employees existing
at the opening of the war, and that is the
telegraph company’s understanding of the
effect of the President’s proclamation approv-
ing and adopting such principles.
Or are the hands of
the employers tied?
“If this is not true, and if these principles
a.I’é interpreted as compelling this company
and others in like situation to abandon their
settled policies and leaving outside organiza-
tions free to work as they may see fit among
their employers, then the hands of the em-
ployers are tied and the principles of the War
Labor Board furnish a cloak behind which a
propaganda for the unionizing of labor in
every industry may be carried on without let
or hindrance.
“Surely there was no such thought in the
I6
T H E W A R L A B O R B O A R D
organization of the War Labor Board, since to
use the moral force of that board in an at-
tempt to unionize all trades would inevitably
lead to serious disputes at a critical time in the
nation’s existence.
NO quarrel with
principles of unionism
“The Western Union has no quarrel with
the principles of unionism and there are asso-
ciated with the company many employees who
are members of various unions, but it holds
to the belief and the practice that
it cannot surrender control of the essen-
tial employees to an outside organization.
“The Western Union is not seeking to
deprive any one of his inalienable rights, but
it recognizes that its employees must choose
between employment with the company and
membership in the C. T. U. A. with employ-
ment in the many other telegraph positions
open to them.
17
T H E W E S T E R N U N I O N A N D
“The Western Union employs less than
twenty per cent of the total telegraphers in
the United States.
“The company says in effect to its employees:
If you desire to join the C. T. U. A., then we
must part.
“So long as you retain your position with
the company you will have every protection
and a full right of appeal, but we cannot agree
that you shall join any organization which
imperils the continuity of the telegraph ser-
vice which this company is expected to pro-
vide for the Government and public of the
United States.” -
18
T H E W A R L A B O R B O A R D
III
War Labor Board Report
The National War Labor Board on Sunday, June 2,
1918, authorized the following: -
At an executive session of the National War Labor
Board at the Hotel Belmont, New York City, June 1, a
section of the board, consisting of the joint chairmen,
Messrs. William H. Taft and Frank P. Walsh, Sub-
mitted the following report of the findings of the
section in the controversy between the Western
Union Telegraph Company and their employees:
*Report
to the Board
“To the National War Labor Board: -
“In the matter of the complaints of former employees
against the Western Union Telegraph Company on
the ground that they were discharged by the company
for belonging to a union called the Commercial Teleg-
raphers Union of America, the members of the board
*Sub-headings are inserted—they are not in the original report by
the Board.
I9
T H E W E S T E R N U N I O N A N D
are advised of the general situation by the full oppor-
tunity given to the employees on one side and the
president of the Western Union Telegraph Company
on the other, to state the facts in respect to the contro-
versy as they respectively viewed them.
“Before a section consisting of the joint chairmen
was appointed to attempt mediation and conciliation
the members of the board had a vigorous discussion as
to the meaning of the principles recommended for
approval to the President and approved by him to
guide this board. The discussion had been so full
before the section received the matter that it did not
seem necessary to do other than submit propositions
of compromise to the one and to the other of the
parties with a view of adjustment.
Proposal to the
Western Union
“Accordingly, Mr. Taft, at the suggestion of Mr.
Walsh, submitted to Mr. Carlton and Mr. Wiggin, the
chairman of the executive board of the Western
Union directors, a proposal that the Western Union
receive back the men whom it had discharged upon
these conditions:
“I. That the Western Union would receive a
committee of its own men only who desired individually,
or in a group composed of the employees, to present
requests for better conditions of labor as to hours,
compensation, and otherwise, and that if an agreement
could not be reached the matter should be referred to
this board and the question disposed of in accordance
20
T H E W A R D A B O R B O A R D
with the procedure provided for the board under the
rules guiding it. .
“2. That the Western Union should not be required
in any way to deal with the union or to recognize it.
“3. That the Commercial Telegraphers Union should
agree with the National War Labor Board and guaran-
tee to it that in any effort by its members to secure
better conditions of labor it would not itself initiate and
it would not itself permit its members to use the strike,
but that it would submit their grievances to the
National War Labor Board and abide the decision
under its procedure.
“4. That if any employee of the Western Union
Telegraph Company, a member of the telegraphers
union, should fail to conform with this agreement and
to abide by the rules and principles of the board the
Western Union Telegraph Company might discharge
such employee, and that the National War Board
would sustain such discharge.”
The Counter Proposal
of the Company
“Mr. Carlton declined to accept this proposition, but
tendered a counter one by telegram, as follows:
“NEw York, May 22, 1918.
“Hon. W. H. TAFT,
“National War Labor Board,
“Washington, D. C.
“The Western Union Telegraph Company holds that
its first obligation is to the Government and public in
an uninterrupted and competent telegraph service.
“The company has reached the conclusion that this
21
T H E W E S T E R N U N I O N A N D
end can not be achieved if its telegraph operators are
members of the C. T. U. A. Employees now have a
basic eight-hour day, premium for overtime, vacations
with pay, semi-annual premiums, sickness benefits at
full pay for varying periods, pensions, life insurance,
and many other advantageous conditions of labor.
The company desires, however, that its employees
shall have whatever benefits there may be in collective
bargaining. It is satisfied that these benefits can not be
obtained through the medium of the C. T. U. A.
Furthermore, the company is of the opinion that a
majority of its telegraph operators do not desire to
join the C. T. U. A., but it is willing to submit that
question to a referendum of such employees having a
reasonable length of service and in the following
ITOlà.ITIle I
The Offer of
The Western Union
“The National War Labor Board shall undertake,
under a program to be agreed between us, to organize
and carry out the machinery for the taking of a secret
ballot, the question to be proposed simultaneously in
general terms as follows:
“1. Are you desirous of becoming a member of the
C. T. U. A., or
“2. Are you in favor of an organization to be con-
fined to Western Union employees, such organizations
to have the right of collective bargaining but not to
employ the strike or affiliate with any organization that
employs the strike either for itself or for others; the
officers of the association to be employees of the com-
pany, elected by the employees, and the association to
be controlled and managed by them; differences be-
tween the company and the association or its members
to be arbitrated before the National War Labor Board?
“In the event that a majority of our telegraph operators
22
T H E W A R L A B O R B O A R D
vote affirmatively on question 1, the company will with-
draw its objections to that union and membership
therein will no longer be cause for dismissal, but we
specify that the company shall not be called upon to
recognize that union nor shall it be required to deal
with officers of that union as such, whether employees
or otherwise.
“If, however, a majority vote ‘no’ on question 1,
then the present policy of the company respecting
membership of its employees in the C. T. U. A. shall
be maintained.
“If a majority are in favor of question 2, then the
machinery for such an association shall be set up by
joint agreement between your board and this company
and turned over to the employees.
“I have not dealt with the scope of an association as
outlined in question 2. It would be our idea that such
an organization would be voted upon by all employees of
reasonable length of service and to include all employees
of the company who desired to become members.
“This agreement to cover the period of the war.
“NEwcomb CARLTON.
Mr. Taft’s
Reply -
“To this telegram Mr. Taft sent the following
a.IlSWeI" .
- “CHICAGo, May 27, 1918.
“NEWCOMB CARLTON, President
“Western Union Telegraph Co., New York.
“Your telegram received. I am sorry you find it
inconvenient to come to Chicago, because I hoped to
have a talk with you before our section reported the
case to the board at Chicago. I must, therefore, trust
to the wire to tell you my individual opinion about the
23
T H E W E S T E R N U N I O N A N D
case and your attitude. I have not told Walsh or
Osborne or the others, but I must do so in my report as
one of the sections.
“I do not think our principles include the closed
non-union shop in the status quo to be maintained.
“I do not think our principles require us to ignore or
invite a breach of existing contracts of employment in
which the men affirmatively agree not to join union.
“I do not think you have such contracts with your
men. A mere understanding that men will be dis-
charged who join the union does not constitute such a
contract on their part not to join unions.
“I think the making of such contracts after the pro-
clamation of the President is not in accordance with our
principles of action by him approved, though the mak-
ing of them would be legal. I think the plan upon
which our board acts contemplates a waiver by em-
ployers of such a right, just as it contemplates a waiver
by employees of the legal right to strike, as a method of
securing industrial peace.
“With these views, I think that your last proposal
does not square with the principles on which our board
must act if the issue is made by the employees’ part of
our board.
Does not
Recognize Union
“You deny to a majority of your employees a right
to join a labor union. On the other hand, I think the
proposal made by Walsh and presented by me to you at
Philadelphia is one which you should accept in the
interest of industrial peace. By it you do not recognize
the union or deal with it. You deal only with com-
mittees of your employees. You take back your men
discharged for joining a union, which under our prin-
ciples an employer should not prevent their doing.
The union would agree with the board not to order or
24
T H E W A R L A B O R B O A R D
permit a strike under any circumstances, but to rely
for a redress of grievances solely on the lodging of
complaints by committees of your employees with our
board and the board’s action thereon. You would
be given the express right under such a compromise
to discharge any employee who sought remedy for
grievance in any other way, and the board would
sustain the discharge. Under such a compromise,
which would be consistent with our principles, the
board would have the power to secure you against
the danger of a strike as completely as practical
machinery can provide against it. Thus would be
removed the danger to resort to a strike and
consequent public injury upon which you have your
obligation to exclude union men from your employ.
I ask you to consider again this proposal before a final
rejection. Of course your submission to our jurisdiction
is a matter of discretion, but I deprecate an attitude on
the part of an employer of men so widely distributed
which may defeat the usefulness of our board. You
may show this to Mr. Osborne.
“WM. H. TAFT.
The Recommendation
as to Action
“Mr. Carlton, after receiving this telegram, advised
Mr. Taft that he would submit it to the executive board
on Tuesday last. Upon this afternoon Mr. Carlton noti-
fied Mr. Taft that he would not accept the compromise.
“In view of the correspondence it does not seem
useful to further prolong the mediation. The construc-
tion of our principles, as set forth in Mr. Taft’s telegram
to Mr. Carlton, leads to the conclusion that the
Western Union Telegraph Company should accept this
compromise as therein stated. It declines, however,
to do so or to submit to the jurisdiction of this board,
and no further action of the board is therefore recom-
25
T H E W E S T E R N U N I O N A N D
mended except the publication of this report of the
section and the vote of this board upon the report.
“WM. H. TAFT,
“FRANK. P. WALSH,
“Section.”
The report was taken up for consideration by the
board and the following actions ensued:
Motion, Mr. Walsh, “I move as one of the makers of
the report that it be adopted,” which was seconded.
Then an amendment by Mr. Savage, “I move that
the following be added after the words “as therein
stated’; tº
“It is therefore recommended that the attitude of the
Western Union Telegraph Company in this case be
brought to the attention of the President of the United
States and a copy of this entire report is given to the
press and that the following words be stricken out of the
report of the section: ‘It declines, however, to do so or
to submit to the jurisdiction of this board and no fur-
ther action of the board is therefore recommended
except the publication of this report of the section and
the vote of this board upon the report.”
Which motion was voted down by the employers and
the two chairmen.
A motion by Mr. Michael, as follows: “I move that
the report be received and filed and further action de-
ferred until the Western Union Telegraph Company
can be heard as to the existence of employment con-
tracts with their employees and that the board further
consider the proposal of settlement of the controversy
offered by the president of the Western Union Telegraph
Company,” which was voted down by the workers and
the two chairmen. -
Mr. Osborne then offered the following amendment
to Mr. Walsh’s motion to adopt the report: “I move
that with the statement to the public that this report
26
T H E W A R L A B O R B O A R D
has been adopted that it be shown who voted for and
against it,” which amendment was carried unanimously.
The Vote
on the Report
Then recurring to the original motion to approve the
report, the motion was carried by a vote of the workers
and the two chairmen, all of the employers voting
against it.
For the report: Messrs. William H. Taft and Frank
P. Walsh, joint chairmen; Victor A. Olander, represen-
tative International Seamen’s Union; T. M. Guerin,
representative United Brotherhood of Carpenters and
Joiners; Adam Wilkinson, representative United Mine-
workers; Thomas J. Savage, representative Interna-
tional Association of Machinists; T. A. Rickert, repre-
sentative United Garment Workers.
Opposed to the report: Loyall A. Osborne, vice-
president Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing
Co.; F. C. Hood, president of the Hood Rubber Co.;
C. Edwin Michael, president of the Virginia Bridge and
Iron Co.; W. H. Vandervoort, president of the Root &
Vandervoort Engineering Co.; B. L. Worden, president
of the Lackawanna Bridge Co.
27
T H E W E S T E R N U N I O N A N D
IV
The Attitude of the Post Office
Department on the Same Problem
Eactracts from Annual Report of the Postmaster General of the
United States for 1917
Through the efforts of Government employees a pro-
vision was included in the Act of August 24, 1912,
which permits them to become members of associations
or organizations and affiliate with outside organizations
so long as they do not impose an obligation or duty
upon them to engage in any strike or propose to assist
them in any strike against the United States.
:: :k >k
In a report submitted some time since, covering an
investigation at an office where the department was
experiencing much difficulty, it was stated that the
whole trouble was due to too much unionism of the
employees, and that because of their affiliation they
were inclined to resent any efforts on the part of the
postmaster to enforce discipline.
The department insists that all employees shall be
treated in a fair, just, and equitable manner, and to
secure such treatment it is not necessary that they
28
T H E W A R L A B O R B O A R D
belong to any organization, because the employees
who do not are entitled to the same just and fair
treatment as those who do.
:k >}: >k
While the employees should at all times be jealous of
their own rights and protection, yet they should ever
be mindful of their obligations to the public and devote
their talents and energy to the betterment of the
service to the people in which they are engaged. This
they could do by co-operating and assisting in solving
the postal problems that are constantly arising.
The need for this co-operation was never greater
than at the present time, when the Nation is engaged
in a world war to maintain the right of liberty and
self-government.
>k >}: ::
All kinds of business and of labor will be severely
taxed, and each must make its own sacrifices. It will
be necessary for the Nation to furnish its quota of
men, and for capital and labor to produce, and to
produce quickly, the funds, material, and services neces-
sary for the successful conduct of the war. Great sac-
rifices will be required, not only of those who go to the
front but of capital and of labor as well, and necessarily
the interests of the individual must for the time being
be subordinated to those of our country. Normal work-
ing conditions cannot prevail, and the war cannot
be won nor the world rebuilt under normal conditions.
Notwithstanding this fact, and at the critical period
in our Nation’s history, it is regrettable to state
29
T H E W E S T E R N U N I o N A N D
that the organized postal employees are making many
selfish demands and insisting that they shall not be
required or permitted to work in excess of the usual
number of hours; also that their salaries be permanently
increased, although they are justly compensated,
receiving more than three times as much as those
fighting in the trenches, who must of necessity suffer
the hardships of warfare and sacrifice their all if
necessary. :k :k >k
An outside organization has during the past several
years attempted to unionize Government employees,
including those in the Postal Service, and a large num-
ber of postal employees are now affiliated with it, and
others soon will be, notwithstanding the fact that such
affiliation is believed to be contrary to the Act of
August 24, 1912. The advisability of permitting Gov-
ernment employees to affiliate with an outside organiza-
tion and use the strike and boycott as a last resort to
enforce their demands is seriously questioned by those
interested in the public welfare.
Postal employees have become bold because of this
affiliation and have within recent years threatened to
strike, and in one case actually did so by tendering
their resignations and leaving the service in a body.
In this case they were promptly indicted and prosecuted
in the Federal courts. While strikes in the Postal
Service may be averted for the time being, yet they will
inevitably come, and the public will then be brought
face to face with a most serious situation—one which
will be a menace to our Government.
#: Sk :k
30
T H E W A R L A B O R B O A R D
The conduct of these organizations at this time is
incompatible with the principles of civil service and
with good administration of the Postal Service. They
are fast becoming a menace to public welfare and should
no longer be tolerated or condoned. It is earnestly
recommended that the provision in the Act of August
24, 1912, referred to, be repealed.
3I.
T H E W E S T E R N U N I O N A N D
V
What Has Been Done
by the Company
The Western Union Telegraph Company has
for many years past given special attention to
the promotion of amicable relations between
itself and its employees.
The company feels that no one will question
the fact that its employees today enjoy unusually
favorable working conditions. These are a
matter of public record and knowledge.
Recognizing the desirability of perfecting an
effective method whereby the management and
the employees might confer concerning their
mutual interests, the company has for some time
past been studying the most successful experience
tin both England and America along these lines.
The result was ea pressed in the following
notice addressed to all employees of the company
on the evening of June 13, 1918:
82
T H E W A R L A B O R B O A R D
The Board of Directors of the Western
Union Telegraph Company, at a meeting held
June 11, gave careful consideration to the
subject of a petition from a number of
employees regarding the organization of an
association to be controlled and officered by
employees, and which would best serve and
further the mutual interests of the employees
and the company.
The company is prepared to help in any
way it can in the formation of such an asso-
ciation, and to that end the president has
been requested to communicate with the
employees of all divisions, suggesting that they
choose representatives for a convention which
shall perfect an industrial constitution, such
convention to be held at Chicago on July 10.
Essential Features
of the Plan
The essential features of the proposed
industrial constitution shall be:
(a) complete control of such an association
by employees, none of whom shall be in author-
ity to hire or discharge, and;
(b) that it berepresentative of all employees.
33
T H E W E S T E R N U N I O N A N D
In accordance with the foregoing, it is
recommended that employees proceed to elect
delegates as hereafter provided to meet in
convention and authorized to deal with sub-
jects of a common interest, especially the
following, which are tentatively suggested:
Proposition the Employees
will Consider
1. The better utilization of the practical
knowledge and experience of the employees.
2. Means for securing to the employees a
greater share in and responsibility for the
determination and observance of the con-
ditions under which their work is carried on.
3. The settlement of the general principles
governing the conditions of employment, in-
cluding methods of fixing, paying, and read-
justing wages, having regard to the need for
securing to the employees a share in the in-
creased prosperity of the industry.
4. The establishment of regular methods of
negotiation for issues arising between the
company and the employees, with a view both
to the prevention of differences and to their
better adjustment, should they appear.
34
T H E W A R L A B O R B O A R D
5. Means of insuring to the employees the
greatest possible security of earnings and
employment, without undue restriction upon
change of occupation or employer.
6. Methods of fixing and adjusting earn-
ings, piecework prices, etc., and of dealing
with the many questions which arise with re-
gard to the method and amount of payment
apart from the fixing of general standard rates,
which are already covered by paragraph 3.
It has been suggested that the procedure in
the selection and election of delegates should
be as follows:
Procedure in
Electing Representatives
The manager at each independent office at
a stated time will call together all employees
aged 18 years, or more, including commercial,
plant, traffic, and accounting, who have been
in the service for six months, and supply them
with blank ballots for the purpose of selecting
by secret ballot from their own number one
elector.
. 35
T H E W E S T E R N U N I O N A N D
When all have voted, the manager, in the
presence of two employes, shall count the vote
and post the result thereof in a conspicuous
place in the office.
The employee receiving the highest number
of votes so cast shall be declared the elector
for the office.
Either men or women may be selected for
electors.
The elector shall cast the entire vote of the
employees in the office he represents for two
delegates to be chosen from the employees of
the company division in which the elector re-
sides, to represent the employees of that divi-
sion at a convention at which an industrial
constitution and by-laws shall be adopted.
The electors above referred to will mail
their votes for delegates in sealed envelopes
addressed to the Division General Manager
at division headquarters, the ballot to be en-
closed therein in a plain sealed envelope un-
marked except for a certificate of the Manager
on the back of the envelope stating the num-
ber of qualified votors represented by the
36
T H E W A R L A B O R B O A R D
elector, votes to be in the hands of the Division
General Managers not later than July 1 next.
The Division General Managers shall open
these ballots at an appointed place and hour
in the presence of the local elector.
The two persons receiving the highest num-
ber of votes will be certified by the Division
General Manager and the elector as having
been duly elected and this certificate shall
be delegates’ authority to take part in the
Constitutional Convention.
It is the company’s earnest hope that the
action taken by the employees may truly
represent the wishes of all the workers.
No employee authorized to employ or dis-
charge shall either vote or serve as an elector
or as a delegate.
The company will pay the necessary ex-
penses of the convention, including the salary
and expenses of the delegates.
NEWCOMB CARLTON
President
37
T H E W E S T E R N U N I O N A N D
Recapitulation
The Western Union Telegraph Company is
above all else eager that the relationship
between itself, its employees and the public
shall be such that its service may be of the
highest possible effectiveness in helping to
win the war. This is the spirit guiding its
policy.
The company is likewise frankly eager to
enjoy public support of a policy toward its
employees which shall be justifiably regarded
as generous and enlightened.
The proposed organization of employees,
truly representative of the rank and file of the
men and women in this company’s service,
will give the whole of its fifty odd thousand
employees an effective voice in the considera-
tion of the terms and conditions under which
their work is carried on. -
Under the proposed plan the views of the
chosen representatives—and through them of
38
T H E W A R L A B O R B O A R D
all the employees of the Western Union—will
be considered in conference with the manage-
ment, and in case differences develop, an
equitable plan of arbitration will be agreed,
under which, if need be, the good offices of the
National War Labor Board may be invoked.
A scheme will be worked out for co-opera-
tion among those interested solely in pro-
moting this company’s service to the public
and not in serving ulterior ends or promoting
the propaganda of another organization.
The good faith of this whole plan will
become quickly apparent. If it does not
work well it will break down.
The company on its part assures all em-
ployees of its desire that they regard this as a
plan to give them the utmost possible freedom
and effectiveness of expression in their rela-
tions with the management.
The alternative to the foregoing plan
would be for the company to waive its
objections to its employees joining an outside
union, and, against its better judgment and
experience, open its doors and subject its
39
THE WESTERN UNION AND THE WAR LABOR BOARD
service to the disturbance incident to a
propaganda for membership by an outside
organization, which for many years has
been frankly hostile to the company and has
now no interest in its service to the public.
Once the employees had joined such an
organization under the plan as suggested by
the War Labor Board, they would enjoy
during the war no greater rights than under
the plan now projected, for they would have
waived their privilege of striking. /
It is submitted, therefore, that the plan
proposed is constructive and designed to
give the employees themselves the greatest
possible benefits, so solidifying their loyalty
and enthusiasm in co-operating with the
management that an uninterrupted and com-
petent service to the public may be assured.
40
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