Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1870-01-15
The Telegraphers' Strike.
THE OPERATORS VERSION.

THE OPERATORS VERSION
The following card has been issiied by
the Grand Circuit in New York "a tile
striking operators version OF the diff
Guilty:
"The difficulty existing between the
Western Union Telegraph Company and
the members Of the Telegraphers'' Pro-
tective League has become a 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 repofts in the newspapers, ostensibly
with view tC general information, but
really in the history Of our late employ
ers There impressions it is our duty to
counteract. In doing so, however, we
desire it to be distinctly understood that
our only motive is to correctly inform
the public, and not to create false senti-
ment by an e.c jOdrte statement III relation
to the affair."
"Our organization is composed Of in
dependent divisions, known as Circuits
One Of these is designated as the Grand
Circuit, and intrusted with the perform
ance OF duties incumbent upon that posi-.
ton. The preamble of our constitution
sets forth That the nature of our busi-
hess is such that a vast combination of
capital must necessarily intervene be-
tween our most intelligent efforts and a
commensurate reward of an appreciative
public, and that we seek not only to pro-
tect our own rights but those of the pub
lie by retaining in our ranks the most
worthy and skilltul operators in the coui-
try, instead ot allowing them 10 be driv
en- from the profession through the un-
Jnst exercise of superior power, welded
by the willing agents of our employers,
who are ever seeking official commenda-
ton by the exhibition of parsimonious
economy"
Our organization extends to, and in
cludes members at San Francisco, Cali
fornia. On Friday, December 81, 1869,
our Grand Chief Operator received a
message in cipher, informing him that OIL
Monday, January 3, the members at San
Francisco would decline to submit to
reduction in their salaries, which the
company propose to make. The next
day, January |, we received another from
there, informing us that two members
had been discharged for refusing to sub
NIT to the reduction, and that they shonld
resist it by stopping work, and calling
upon other circuits to aid them. Accord
ingly, on January 8, 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 the sala,
ries of The members at San Francisco be
not reduced, and that those who were
discharged tor refusing to submit to the
proposed reduction be reinstated. In re-
ply, Western Union officials stated on
the authority of MIR. Mumford-their
agent at San Francisco-that no salaries
bad been reduced. In a second commu-
nication we endeavored to effect an hon
orable and peaceful settlement, insisting
upon the reinstatement of members
whose salaries had been reduced, and as
suring the Western Union executive that
the members at other points who had sus-
pended work would resIme their duties
This proposition was refused, and the
case at present stand thus: The West
ern Union officials rely implicitly upon
Mr.. Mumford's statements The mem
bers of the League believe that the state
ments of our circuit officer in San Fran
cisco are strictly true, and shall continue
to believe until proved untrue. In the
latter event we will return TO our duties
at former salaries, guaranteeing to mem
bers and non-members who have aided
us in this difficulty the benefits and pro-
lection of our League in the future.
IL. "a.
the action of the Western Union Tele-
graph Executive Committee looking TO a
peaceful settlement of this difficulty.
W. W. BURHAUs, Chairman.
G. ]. RYAN, l. NJ. PETERS, Committee"