The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-01-06
w. S. BURLEY,
j. II, MORRIS,
L L lYNnAII.
b Committee.

The following despatch has been received:-
NEW YORK, JAN 3, lS70-The difficulty now ex-
isting between the Western Union Telegraph Com
pany and the members Of "The Telegraphic Protec-
tive League has become subject Of public interest,
and it Is this fact that prompts us TO fairly state our
position in the matter. Erroneous Impressions have
been conveyed by the publication of reports in the
newspapers ostensbly with view 70 general intor-
pOyers. These impressions is our duty to counter
act. In so doing, however, we desire 1t to be dis
tinctly understood that our only motive Is to cor
rectly inform the public, and not to create false
sentiments by an &c Parte statement III relation to
the ansr.
Our organization is composed OF Independent di-
visions, known as Circuits; one OF these is dezig
mated as "The Grand Circuit" and Is entrusted
with the performance OF duties incumbent on that
position. The preamble of our constitution sets
forth that the nature Of our business is such that
vast combination OF capital must ever intervene be-
tween our most intelligent efforts and comnensu-
rate reward Of an appreeiatlve public, and that we
seek only to prott ct rights but those Of
the public, by retaining in our ranks the most
worthy and skiul operators In the country instead
OF allowing them to be driven from the profession
through the unjust exercise of superior power,
welded by the willing agents OF our employers who
ever seeking official commentator by the eXhi-
bition OF parsimonious economy. Our organization
extends to and includes members at San Fran cisco,
California.
ON Friday December 81, 1862 our Grand Chief Dye
rator received a message in cipher, informing him
that on Monday January 3, the members at San
Francisco would decline to submit to reduction
which the company proposed to make in their sala-
ries. The next day Saturday, January y, we re-
ceiyed another despatch from them informing us
to submit to: the reduction; that they should resist
other circuits to aid them, Accordingly,
on January they suspended work. This
committee was appointed at meeting Of the New
York Circuit, and instructed to negotiate for an
amicable settlement by requesting that salaries at
san Francisco be not reduced, and that those who
were discharged for refusing to submit to the pro-
posed reduction be renstated.
In reply the Western Union officials stated that, on
/ the authority OF Mr.. Mumford, their agent at San
| Francisco, no salaries had been reduced. In O
| second communication we endeavored to effect an
honorable, pe2ceabe settlement, insisting upon the
reinstatement OF members whose salaries had been
reduced, and assuring the Western Union Executive
| that members at other points, who had also sus
! pended work, would resume their duties
This proposition was rejected, and the case at pre-
sent stands thus The Western Union officials rely
| implicitly upon Mr.. MumfOrd's statement, and the
members of the League believe that the statements
OF our circuit officer at San Francisco are strictly
true, and shall continue to believe them until proved
untrue. In the latter event we will return to oul
duties at former salaries, guaranteeing to members
/ and non-membors who have aided us in the dl1i
! Guilty the benefit and protection OF our League IL
! the future. In the meantime this committee avail
the action of the Western Union Executive, look
| ing to q peaceabe settlement OF this difficulty.
| w. w. BURHANs, Chairman.
j. NJ. PETERS, NOAAi'''0''