The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-07-20

10 ABOUT 20 per cent. From 1874 to 1877
local superntendents and managers, in or.
der to curry favor with the company, wed
with each other in economic suggestions.
In 1878 the executive officers, seeing the
men submit so tamely to this process, be-
came bolder, and announced the famous
Tor infamous) sliding scale or general re.
duction OF from to % per cent. on all EN-.
ployes. This instrument had the quality
OF sliding but one way-downward--and
was followed by many contemplate and
underhand measures.
Protests were sent from all points with.
out avail. The company's official journal,
containing the order, with an audacity un
parallele1, had published on the same page
the quarterly report, showing increased
profits, and no word OF explanation in the
editorial columns rs to the Inconsistency.
Salaries were depreciating everywhere.
When the "gradation " was announced, ii
was mistaken at first for an olive branch,
but it was soon plain that it was concocted
for the purpose OF cutting deeper than the
previous method.
In 1876 q secret circular cmanated from
the executive department lnstructing SUI
perintendents that all vacancies must be
filled at 81 less PER month than received by
previous occupants. This infamous scheme
had the desired effect, rs under its work
ing salaries dropped in six months to $40
and Sj0-North, South. East, and West.
Everybody became discouraged and de-
moralized. Those who could leave the
business did so. The outlook until 1880
was very dark, all classes being dismayed
and indignant. During that year the
American Union and other competing tel
egraph companies compelled the Western
Union Company to slightly advance some
salaries in order TO retain their best men,
but Immediately after the consolidation OF
these companies the systematic reduction
Of salaries was again inaugurated. After
the shooting Of President Garfield the
volume Of business increased TO such an
extent that further reductions for the time
being ceased. 1t is quite probable that the
formation OF local assemblies OF the Bro
therhood throughout the United States and
Canada has prevented any further reduc-
tions. The members Of the Brotherhood
feel that they are now strong enough TO
warrant them in demanding OF the various
telegraph companies a partial restoration
TO The standard Of salaries before the mer-
cilcss and systematic "squecZes were
made. The following is Il brief eXplana-
ton OF the several clauses embraced in the
bill OF grievances presented to the tele-
graph companies Of the United States and
Canada:
SUNDAY WORK.
It is almost unnecessary TO call attention
to the well-known fact that all branches OF
labor, skilled and unskilled, when required
to perform Sunday work, receive extra,
and in many eases double, pay for sucl
work, which is not the case with tele
graphic employees, who are at present re.
quired to perform such service without
extra compensation.
HOURS OF LABOR.
Telegraph operators are required to pos
sess skill Of high order; their occupation
is contining and continuous, and upon them
Is concentrated the gravest responsibilities,
and this responsibility Is constant and op-
pressivc. II wears alike upon mind and
body, and impairs the elasticity of both,
while it always demands the best condi'
tions of both. The late Mr.. William Or
ton, president OF the Western Union Tee'
graph Company, whose executive ability
and general knowledge on all subjects per-
tanning to telegraphy cannot bequcstioned
testified before q congressional committee
that telegraph operators could not perform
daily more than six hours OF continuous la'
Dor without endangering their health, con-
seUuentlv the demand for eight hours fOI
day-work and seven hours for night-work is
believed to be reasonable and Just. In Z
number Of the principal offices seven hours
constitute a nights work at the present
time, but ii is claimed by the operators that
they have no uniform system OF working
hours, il being optional with local mana
gers to regulate the same, and who. to curry
favor with their superi0rs, frequently i'm
pose extra working hours upon the unpro-
tected operator in order that they may show
economical management.
In explanation OF the demand for gene
raj increase OF II per cent. it Is only ne
ccssary TO call attention to the frequent Ie
ductions that have been made, notwith
standing the net profits OF handling mes
sages are much greater than in former
wears, occasiOned by improved machinery
and more skilful labor now employed.
wuEATsTONE OPERATORS.
The seeming eXorbitant demand in favor
Of the Wheatstone operators is explained a
follows Twelve months ago Il number Of
experts were imported from England, witt
the understanding that as soon rs the syS
TEN was put IN practical operation they
would be fairly compensated. On the Is
of March OF the present year they begaI
work, and were informed by the manager
that their allowance was TO be so pei
month, at the same time giving them to UNI
derstand that as they succeeded in deveI
oping the system their position would i'm
prove. Five months have now elapsed
and although they have been fully engaged
during that time, and are now doing nearly
three times the amount OF work done IL
the opening month, they have not yet re
ceived any indication that their interests ol
salaries, when they deem wholly made
Quate, are to be improved.
sTATIsTICS-PAY.
The Brotherhood telegraphers has I
general statistician, also local statistician
in nearly every city and town in the United
States and Canada. Complete statistic
have been gathered, and show the follow
ing general averages OF wages paid a
present time: The average pay for com
merclal operators in the United States il
S54. .43 Der month; average for commercial
operators OF Canada is S37.49 per month
average of railroad operators in the United
States is 5000; average for railroad ope
rators in Canada is S29.12. 1t should b.
borne in mind that operators are not al
lowed extra compensation for Sunda!
work, and that railroad operators at sta
tions where but one man is employed ar,
required to work from fourteen to siXteel
hours per day, and on many roads are re
quired to sleep in or convenient to thel
offices. so that they may be called to receiv,
orders for delayed and obtain help fol
wrecked trains. These calls on many road
are OF frequent occurrence.
President Eckcrt's Views.
HE REGARDS THIS DEMAND OF THE MEN A
Ex0RBHANT.
General Eckert sent the following dis