The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-01-05
THE LIGHTNING STRIKING.
TIE rELEGRAPHERS AROUSED OYER
THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

TILE HNIlhH COONI3Is
The Rumors or q Reduction OF wages In
San Fro ncfsco--Drniul By the Agent In
Califcrnis-Thc B'a Demanding the He-
inststement Of DISCHARGED TeIesrep phcrs.
The telegraph operators Of the United States
lave !" T,ieerspheu' Protective League" The
objects embraced In the organisation are such o. arc
usually found In all trade ond professional combina-
tions. The League had ita origin about two years
ago, 10 the efforts Of few New York OPERATOR
but the proposal rapidly grew In favor. until the
branches Of the organisation 70 be found In every
American city while i,s members occupy positions
on ali the principal lines Of railroad In the country.
II, strength is estimated at a.ooo.
On the night Of the Sd q despatch was forwarded
through the Associated Press In effect that the San
Francisco operators haa struck In consequences OF
IN attempt TO
Rxpucr THEIR SALARIES.
This was the ArssS intimation OF trouble. The
League, both In New York and throughout the coun-
try, were OF course bound By their obligation to
take action sxsinst this infringement OF the
se,le OF prices. and yesterday mornins
Messs W, W. Durham, @. J. Ryan, end j. N.
Peters, . Committee on behalf ofthe League. i'd
dressed q letter to O. II. Palmer, secretary and
treasurer OF the Western Ur!on Telegraph Comps-
ny. 1t was set forth that the San Francisco opera
tors had appealed 10 members Of the League every
whore 10 protect them against this proposed redue-
tlon and request wps accordingly made that such
members In san Francisco as had been discharged
should be rcinstated
Nh. PALNER's REPLY.
To this Mr.. Palmer replied that the information
OF tho League concerning the reduction, Ia San
Francisco or elsewhere, was without any founda-
ton that be had asked Mr. Mumford, the San
Francisco agent. for the facta that the agent had
49,
intention OF doing 30. bat tha, he had discharged
two operators because he thought they were trying
to create dissatisfacton, and alse because be
thousia he had larger force than was necessary,
and that the salaries were "ss high ~ over have
been paid here before" In conclusion. Mr.. Palmer
| said;
"we can permit, no combination nor organization Of
men to dictate to ne who or how many persons we
approve the action Of Mr. humford."
A COUNTER inRTTAwr.
The Committee rejoned that the members and
onncer. Of the League at yariou. points. believing
Francisco, had siready suspended work that
others were awaiting toe action OF the Com
mittee before deeidinr whether to continue;
Mumford be Instructed to reiustate the discharged
EMPLOYERS. and that those who had voluntarily sus-
subject TO deduction for time lost They added that
" these propositions were acreded TO those who
had struck should Immediately resume, but if the
| comprnmisc were rejected. the committee would oe
compelled 10 ask for the strike alluded to In the pre-
yious letter. An answer was requested before Z.
| M. yesterday.
| cHARau OF GROSS IMPOSITION.
II was now Mr.. Palmers turn to do a little spar.
ring. He eontendod In his reply that the men had
could therefore give NO instructions TO Mr. Mumford
| which could imply any admission OF reduction
what ms asurcS might have been taken BY his West
ern agents to supply the places OF tsose who had
4 terfrre In IA concerning which he had IN
formation; He concluded BY declaring his belief
,ha, the Lessue had been grossly imposed upon by
one or two San Francisco members.
| YHs srafrRns IN EARNEST.
This was the situation up 10 the time OF the ar.
Ia BfosdSs n "
letter wns o'clock. II was then about haf-past 8,
earnest. Some % ,wsn,y % Of them % were I % consress,ed
in front of the oniee engaged In quiet but
anxious con ,ersa,on. The staircase issdnss
floor was In full view, and hs often q descending
step was heard the converting group would look In
recruit 70 the striking party, there would be brief
| congratulatlon and handshaking. with occasional
t ion Of the eGscutiSe 8 session order. TO ali
| inquiries from press representatives, they were ex
ecedingiy re,icent.
| TIE wosES JOIN rUEIR BRETHREN.
Al haltpast four number Of the female operators
said that they were in full fellowship with the
ss sas Ssy Ss
| and shlvered In the chilling wind, but constant
accessions down the staircase served TO keep their
spirits no. while squads wonld occasionally break
| OF from the main body. visit the neighborng sta
| tIons 10 Affairs were progressing and then
| return. Matters remained thus until 5E o'clock,
| when there was q concerted movement along the
| line, and the word was
| TO THR WESTERN HOTEL.
| Arrived here, mont parlor was taken possession
| OF, and Q meeting Immediately Organized. The con.
clavs was secret and reporters had no better conso
ation than TO datten their Agninst the door,
and vainly wish they were inside. The result Of the
deliberations, however, is expressed In
| The League says, aner reeiting Its grievances
.The issue now M the life OF the League as well s TO
challenge cheerfuy believing that success will follow
lie mroftant ,el.e' spsic point. u The Tnssd stass
We only ask OF our brother operators outside OF the
EAnization not 20 come In and AZ our laces y will
%fIs' 'r0''ns the contest without changing the re-
rBx orHkR SIDE.
A call upon j. @. Hi hchmaD, Superintendent OF
the Metropolitan District Of the Western Union
Company, brought out some additional facts.
| There are employed 800 operators In the
city, OF whom about 100 are engaged at No. ii5
Broadway. The salaries vary between $50 and Sis
per month, according to the ability OF the employee
and the length and fa'thfulness Of service Before
| the war the rates were considerably lower. The
company disavow any intention 10 reduce salaries,
TIE STRIKE AT OTHER POINTS.
Rams OF dispatches have been received from nearly
every teegraphic point OF importance IN the Union.
ToAe TO the officers OF the League uniformly repre-
| sent the view OF sfisrs as very cheering. Among
| others, messages came from Washington. Boston,
| Pittsburg, Chicago, Davenport, Baltimore, Ceve'
| land, Auburn, Louisville, Omsba, Buffalo, Pough
kecpsie Cincinnati, Troy. Detroit and indianapolis
End Of the War In Paraguay.
| RYn JaNVtpo Uec X k-Y1uatip,i ~ aa nccnn; "A