Date: April 15, 1919
(Original document available here)
Statement from the Governor’s Office
Governor Coolidge yesterday realizing the tremendous damage that a general strike of the telephone operators would cause sent the following telegram to Postmaster General Burleson to which he has as yet received no reply:-
“14 April 1919.
Hon. Albert S. Burleson,
Postmaster General,
Washington, D. C.
Massachusetts is threatened with a strike by telephone operators. This would tie up the operation here and result in most serious damage to all the business interests of the Commonwealth. May I urge that every possible effort be used to avert such a calamity as this would be.
“(Signed) Calvin Coolidge, Governor.”
With the strike actually called and bringing a complete tie-up and causing a great deal of damage to business of Massachusetts, the Governor wired the New England Governors as follows:- “Will you join me in cable to President Wilson to intervene in telephone strike”
The following cable was sent: “New England urges your immediate action to relieve from great loss by telephone strike.
“Coolidge
Bartlett
Beeckman
Milliken
Holcomb
Governors”
Citation: Vermont Historical Society
The Coolidge Foundation gratefully acknowledges the volunteer efforts of Isaac Oberman who prepared this document for digital publication.