The Portland daily press., 1883-08-17
THE STRIKE.
Peserfng .Out Operators Returning TO
yUnrE

Peserfng .Ouf uf-OperatOrs Returning 10
Work.
NEW YoRK, Aug. 16.-Superintenden Hum.
stone OF the New York office was asked
whether the men who returned to work were
required to withdraw from the Brotherhood
He said: "We require a promise from every
one who applies for work that he will not join
any secret organization, the rules of which will
in any way interfere with his duties to this
company. This is simply verbal agreement,
but ultimately all the operators and linemen
in our employ will be required to sign an
agreement that they are not at the time mem
bers of any secret organization, and promise
not to join such an organization.
The executive committee of the Western
Union Company yesterday held On informal
conference in regard to the application of the
committee of strikers indorsed his action Of re-
ferring them to the superintendent for inform
alton as to the terms upon which they will be
taken back.
The Western Unions officials said this morn
ing that 35 circuits in New York city were in
terfered with last night by throwing fine wires
over the regular wires. At IL O'Clock it was
said that all circuits were in working order
though the keys worked heavily on account of
the damp weather.
Superintendent Humstone said he had taken
back seven striking operators this forenoon.
They were taken back at the same salaries
that they formerly received.
There are at present SO Western Union
Branch offices in New York city closed and
about 40 more operators required at the
Western Union building. The company's Off
cials say that about 128 operators are required
in the city to put it in first class condition.
They also say there are not so many tele-
pliers still unemployed as tho Brotherh ood
reports, and express the conviction that the
strikers viii surrender before long
Shortly after noon to-day three more oper-
ators Of the Brotherhood applied for work at
the Western Union office and were taken back
at the old rates. This makes ten in all, the
officials say, that have gone back to-day
They also stated that less than a hundred
vacancies existed now in New York including
the branch offices. 1t was also said that re-
ports from other cities showed that the strikers
were returning TO work all over the country
The Brotherhood denied the report that a
number OF operators would withdraw from
the organization to resume work. They say
they are as determined as ever to hold out as
long as their finances last. They also denied
that ten men returned to work to-day,
and say that only one went back.
TWELVE striking operators were taken back
by the Western Union Company to-day, MAX
ing 50 in the New York office this week.
BALTIMORE, Aug. 16.-The strike OF the
telegraph operators is virtually ended in this
city. IhlS alternOOn nVe OF the lrSt CLASS men
returned and resumed work on the terms Of
fered by the company. 1t is said others will
return tomorrow. Last night at a meeting of
the Brotherhood discomfort was apparent, but
all information was refused. 1t is now said
that the Knights OF Labor did not respond as
literally as was expected, and that a surrender
was necessary.
PuTsBURG, Aug. 16.-George M. Eitemaller,
night chief operator at the Western Union Of
fee in this city, member of the Brotherhood
and one of the original strikers, returned to
work today.
Violence in Cincinnati.
CINCINNATI, Aug. 16.-The first serious cases
OF violence attending the strike occurred here
last night. Hitherto the strikers have won
praise from all by their gentlemanly conduct.
About midnight an operator who had not
struck went into a saloon where there were
number Of strikers. They called him s'scab."
He replied extensively and was badly beaten
and probably disabled for weeks. Henry
Schwabe, an operator who struck, and after
wards returned to work, was attacked on the
street while on his way home at O'Clock this
morning by "a party supposed to be the same
that had the fight in the saloon and had
shoulder dislocated. The secretary OF the Cin-
cinnati assembly of the Brotherhood has gone
to work at the Baltimore and Ohio office.