The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-08-20
THE GREAT COLLAPSE.
END OF THE TELEcRAPAERs' STRIKE
Operators Generally Accepting the Inevi-
table and Applying for Work-Chi-
cagO Strikers Holding Out -IfOw
ProdiGais VIII BE Treated.
AN INTERVIEW WITH CAMPBELL.


While large number of the members
were in favor of still continuing the battle,
the Executive Board of the Brotherhood,
after calm survey of the situation, came to
the conclusion that they were fighting against
too heavy odds, and so officially, ordered the
strike at an end, Mr.. Campbell was found
at the Manhattan Hotel Friday afternoon.
''Mr. Campbell, is the strike over 2"
''lt is. Shortly after two O'Clock gave
the notice to all the assemblies in the United
States and Canada"
"What caused the failure of the strike ~
''The other side had too much money
"How do you feel over it ~
II have no word of condemnation of the
members who returned to work recently.
We saw it was impossible to prevent
break, and so decided to end the matter"
"Are yon satisfied with the action of the
members during the striker
"The members gave the officials their
hearty support, and there was very little
complaint"
"Will your defeat disband the Brother
hood?'
81 do not think it will"
as YOU expected"
mo; but no matter how much money we
had, the Western Union was prepared to
win at any sacrifice"
'How much have the operators lost by the
striker
"Abont $500, 900 in wages
''What did the Western Union lose?"
"Thc company lost more in thirty days
than would have paid the operators the in
crease for ten years"
"What caused the members, to commence
TO weaken"
THE false rumors furnished to the press
by the Western Union injured the move
ment."
Glow do you think the operators will now
be trcatcd?n
81 think matters will be worse at the
Western Union. Still the company should
treat good operators fairly if it expects to
retain their services"
'Will all the operators return to woTk?''
"The probabilities are that a good
many operators will leave the business for
ever
''How about the ladies?7
The operators have decided to allow
the ladies to be the first to apply for
work.
what do you think of the fight'''
We made a good fight, and e, man
who was in it should feel proud OF Ia TACT
1t was wonderful struggle, extending all
over the country. The organization was
thorough and considering the magnitude Of
the movement we had very few deserters.
Did any benefit come from the striker
Yes. The strike brought to the atten-
ton Of the public, III a manner that nothing
else could have brought 50 plainly, the fact
that We are all in the power of two or three
men,
Were any opposed to giving in9'
- Yes. some; but we saw that it was use
less 10 continue the struggle any longer"
How about the Western UniaA9"
''The Western Union is not going to have
a monopoly of the business in the future.
There is already formidable opposition TO
the company The Southern Telegraph
Company, Baltimore & Ohio, Bankers 4
Merchants, Postal, Board of Trade Com
pany in St Louis, Chicago & Milwaukee
and the Grand Rapid Company, whose lines
extend through Michigan and Indiana, are
all working against the Western Union and
cover nearly all Western Union points.
Besides, the Western | VI has lost bHsi-
ness it never viii recover.
do you think the majority of the ope-
ratOrS will receive mOre?'
II do with the exception of the leaders
who, suppose, will be blaeklisted.
'What per cent. of the members of the
Brotherhood refused to go on striker"
Not three per. cent"
How long VIII You remain in New
York;"
For few days, and then | shall return
home to Pittsburgh"
Mr. Campbell accepts the defeat of the
movement in q philosophical way, recog
nizing that the Brotherhood did all in it
power, and that the defeat was an honor
able one The members were pleased witt
the idea Of being ordered back instead o
going back in a stampede.
During the day the scenes at the Western
Union building were diversified and eXcit
ing.
The strikers held meeting at Clarendon
| Hall Friday afternoon, and John Mitchell
| read tie official order declaring the strike
failure. This was received in a quiet man
ner, as if it had been expected. 1t was re
solved to allow the ladies to return to worl
first and the meeting adjourned. Anothe
meeting will be held this afternoon. Tn
general feeling among the strikers is tina
the struggle is over. ~s,
The main office of the Western Uniol
| Telegraph Company was besieged from al
early hour yesterday morning by nearly
hundred operators seeking reinstatement
| Superintendent Humistone was busily en-
gagged discriminating between the applca
tons from first-class workmen and thos
who were considered second and third
rate. Only the best wOrkmen were take
back, and quite a number of OF
orators were disappointed by being rejected
! Those operators who were taken on afte
the strike commenced will be retained b
the company in their present positions
Superintendent Humistone said that all tn
branch offices will be open for bushes
Monday morning, and everything be
perfect working order by that time
He could not promise that the compan
would find positions for all operators, an
thought that large number would be con
PEELED to seek positions elsewhere, as til
company could not, in justice to itself, di
charge those operators who had stood by
in its difficulties. 1t will take about tw
weeks before positions can be found fC
those of the strikers whom the company il
tends to reinstate.
There are still many operators and nearl
all of the linemen who say the strike is nc
yet ended, and that they intend to make
lively for the company yet. This, howeve
is regarded as mere talk and bravado. NJ
Mitchell, of the Brotherhood, says the me
will return to work just as fast as the con
pany will take them back. He expressed
belief that at the end Of week or SO the
would be but few Of the strikers who wi
not have been reinstated in the company
employ.
CHICAGO INDIGNANT AND FIRM.
CHICAGO. Aug. 10.
Shortly after four o'clock Friday A.
Morris, of the Chicago Assembly, receiyt
his first intimation of Campbell's action
telegram sent from the maSter-workma
of the Pittsburgh district. He refused
give credence to the report, and immediat
ly telegraphed to New York for confirms
ton. About SIX O'Clock dispatch can
from Campbell saying: t'lts too true.
Morris read the telegraph to a number
leaders who had been working with hin
He was affected t0tears, as were Others wi