The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-27
A TRIO OF STRIKES.
Tas TElGcapMc OPERATORS OF the FRANKLIN LINE OUT
ON STRIKE

Iuo western UHlou WOnOpOIy mas not alL0getner
succeeded in preventing other Geographic compa
MES from reaping rich harvest OF returns from
their enterprise IN the establishment OF new lines;
but while most OF these have become enriched
through the skill OF their employees, one OF the COM
panies at least refuses 10 recognize the pal
pable truth that Its prosperity ia entire
ly due to It's telegraphic operatives, and
never thought OF increasing their salaries to the
level OF those other lines The Franklin Telegraph
Company had from its formation an able corps OF
operators, who worked with wiz and altogether to
put the company on sure financial footing. They
freely consented to give their labor for less
other men in the profession OF teleeraphy were
receiving, IN order that the new
pany might have fair start. When however,
it became evident that the company was doing
thriving business ana that IL was receiving hand
some income the operatives began to think that 1t
was time TO LOOK after their interests. Repre-
sensations were made from time to time to the pro-
per authorities, but non p0ssuDus was the only
answer given. The patience or the operatives was
exhausted ON Saturday, and, after private caucus
and preliminary meeting. 1t was finally resolved
to take decided step ana go
OUT ON srRlRE
The tcegraphc operators are not generally
credited with stupidity, but, on the contrary are
known to be. as they are, exceedingly sharp, intel
lectual and well educated men, IL win not surprise
any one, therefore, to learn that their preparations
were coolly and carefully considered. Words OF
warning were flashed along the wires to all the con-
nections WITH New York. and the pulse almos!
of the listening operators sitting in al their
batteries Mt every station the Tine, fell the
instant by the managers OF the movement.
IL was found that the men in Boston, Philadel-
pha, Buffalo, Washington and otner places were in
entire accord with those AZ tue central Office and
would support them to te last. Strange hierogypn-
les were decIphered and passed from hand TO hand
ana the Joyful lads. delighted at finding such
cordial Immunity, chatted merriy, though hundreds
OF miles apart. exchanged cordial greetings; fired
tke Northern as Mei as the Southern heart;
spoke to tue West; talked the East
and made the wires to fairly shake with
"Giyc II to MINI spoke Chicago go IT, Knocked
Baltimore The whole line throbDed win messages
and for once the operatives were interested In Their
import. Here in the city the utmost interest was
felt IN the result by all the pl0yes of The different
lines, and even the customers OF tue frank
Ian, the bankers aud brokers OF tae city,
expressed their readiness to stand by tue
strikers. Undoubted evidence obtained that
the pubic were with them III sympathy. indeed, IL
would be strange ii IL not The entire tele
graphic business OF New York city--press, CONNER
necessarily well known and on account Oh the;r
talents rs operators aud their excellent character as
abody are greatly respected by the public.
The strlkers are c0ntending Tor advance OF
salary but they 10 not care 50 much for that the
principle involved, and II is this consideration which
causes the the other lines 70 give them their
hearty sympathy and oirer pecuniary support. The
average monthly salary OF operators on the Franklin
line rs nty live dollars while on the Western Unlon
and other lines the average salary over
ninety dollars per month. IL VIII be readily
seen. therefore, that the strikers nave
their company ana are perfectly jusIided In their
action. There are about one hundred men in all,
twenly-three OF whom are located IN new York. 1t
will be impossible Tor the company TO IN their
places should IL be decided to resist their demands
for Geographic operators are not made IN DAY, or
year Tor that matter, and esprit &c
corps prevailing among them few be
found to take the vacant wires. superintendent
smith anu Two others who, 1t Is said. were In the
confidence OF The strikers until tue last and
then betrayed them TO the company's Officers are
nov dong their best to keep things gong VITA
what result remains 30 be seen. The names OF the
Judas operators are Capron and NIlkie, and these
settlement Is made The strikers say That tho wires
wil be bulloui and botcned during the difficulty.
DECLARATION or WAR.
All hands having fully made up their minds 10
strike, and strike hard, meeting was called the
western Hotel. in thus city, on Monday evening,
when tue following preamble and resolutions were
unanimously adopted:--
Whereas receiving SALARY less than paid by
u .a oh han @ ease
The operators Of other companes whereas
know oyor lines able 70 pay Us more lib
ssa salary and whereas consider demands and
Resolved, That we ask Of the Franklin Telegraph Com
psr SsH s On the
day. October D. 1867.
on motion a committee of one was appointed to
present these resolutions TO the President and Gene
raj superintendent.
Yesterday at o few minutes before twelve O'Clock
short conference was held and 1t being found that
no notice had been taken OF their action the
operators determined TO bring matters TO
crisis. The laconlc message ''stopn was sent
TO the Boston man by the Bankers and Brokers'
line. and IN q few minutes the significant word
stopped" was tnkled back by the French line.
nAn ~ Atl and na mad
Inc operators everywhere on the line were then
notified aud COMMITTEES was sent to confer with
superintendent Smith and inform him OF the action
OF the strikers. WhIie the conference committee
was absent the following kilograms were received
rom the Boston office
Union once, where every ready with money and
help They are aslish,ed ana win back the up any
Tne operator. here wih exception Of "Ba" men, have all
Bfi manager Of principal once WIN line rather
o How 20 Snes look sseS nom - nothing until we
meeting was held IN a room over the Geographic
Office, No. IL Broad street, nc two O'CLOCK, when
speeenes were made Ia support Of the strike ana
much enthusiasm was manifested ON motion
committee Of three was appointed to wal. upon
superintendent smith and obtain answer TO tho
resuutons passcd NJ the previous meeting. during
their absence several members OF the strike spoke
as length aud with mucn vlm the Injustice prac-
tlced towards them by the Franklin Company
ar LEANING appeared nj this moment anu stated
thh he was sent ~ supcrintendcns Smith 10 say
that the company would raise the salaries OF the
operators rs high a. IL could aiIOru ana that tue
gentlemen would not be discharged The Superin-
tenuent wanted lllv.. ~ tie New Ork ONCE
100 toe strikers Ia Boston aud other places with
view 70 q compromise.
Mr. A. W. PORK remarked that the customers OF
me Franklin haa resolved ~ send their messages BIZ
vihrr hnes untl tie operators nud returned to bust
aex~.
Later la the evening the committee reported back
THAI no aomprwmise hnd been effected Mr.. smith
having reused 10 acccdc 70 tnUir demands.
TIE above report - a correct eXpusliiOn or the
feelings e the stuiicnca Oul strike aud tue facts
~ IL ~ Y4s
oO.lru IN the
sarNr o. ras SUPERINTENDENT.
Mr. \. Y. .mitn. superintendent OF tne Franklin
Telegraph COMPANY. makes tne following state.
Mtnls~
was waited upon to-say by a committee or one
gafpbr4us 40 represent tas operators of the once.
A u0py 81 The fes3lailons % the previous meeting
was handed Ia ne, but names were attached 10
q me Issoin.igas stated that lae demand saouid