New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-07-19

nothing to do with the self-styled committee OF
telegraphers. II the employees of the Western
Union come before us they will obtain an impartial
hearings but we have nothing to do with outsld-
ers. Why, suppose, for instance, that some
one should come into my Office at this moment and
demand that the firm should pay its clerks higher
salaries should be likely to show the man the door
and probably tell him to mind his own business.
see no difference between the two cascs-the
real and the supposed one This COM
mttee of telegraphersis is composed OF outsiders OF
whom the company knows nothing at all. Two or
three Of them only are in the service of the COM
pany.
"As to the probabilities of strike I can
say nothing. because really know nothing
about It, l think the operators will make
great mistake if they do strike they have over
rated their strength. but apparently do not realize
the fact. This whole movement is merely an ex-
aggeration Of an imaginary grievance. an agitation
begun outside the company and not within 1t, and,
moreover, tainted with Wall Street speculation
Oh no, have absolute reason for entertaining
that suspicion. and it not even suggested at the
meeting to-day, but the movement certainly oripi-
mated outside of the Western Union Company. III
strike should take place. the irst step
| of the company. suppose would be TO close num-
dred Offices in this city. There are in all about 10
offices. This would resllt In some Inconvenience
to the public. of course, but tie reduction OF the
customers Is little as possible. It would renese
the company greatly, however, and cause ilttlo .
delay in the transmsson h,nh n alI The large
cities. One result Of strike would DC 70 reniovo
| from the company lot of worthless timber WHEN
| has been kept the service Tor one reason or
| another I hope however, that there will DO no
strike, for the telegraphers Will certainly 10 o'-
no GENERAL ADVANCE TO BE MADE.
1t is understood that the company will make no
general advance In wages under any circum-
stances prominent member OF tho Executive
Committee said after the meeting:
ave will not make general advance OF per
cent even, to say nothing of 15 per cent. The
subcommittee appointed to correct any irregu-
laritIes which may exist, but rs TO general ad-
vance-not q farthing will We give. Why, there Is
nm army of operators gathering now; they arc
coming from everywhere. In a few days the com
pany will not care whether strike occurs or not,
for It will be able to all the tslegraphers 1t
needs. You cannot realize how many Of our eni-
ployes have come to us quietly. pledglng their
cable dispatches from England, in which
could ws are ss.y sssF'a be- 1A' sent hs1o they
needed and that many were anxious to sail
immediately. DID we do anything about ~ Eng.
Egypt; it ordered the Indian contingent to Malta
without delay. Speaking of applications which
have been made in the Last day or two. preacher
came to-day aud said that he was an old operator
and that il be could get moro money from tele-
graphing than for preaching he was ready TO go 70
work"
PREPARATIONS FOR A STRIKE
The officers OF tho Western Union Company have
taken all necessary steps 10 meet the possible
strike careful can vass made Of the operators
In the main Office to see how many could DO de-
pended upon to keep at work. The number who
gave satisfactory answers could not be ascertanod.
but 10 was stated that many more could DO relied
upon than had been expected At the same time
il was conceded that the replies OF many OF the
men probably did not express their real Intentions
in the event of open contest between the Brother
Union said: ave have u large list of applicants
for positions all over The country. and hundreds OF
the men ON that list would make good operators
To-day there have been numerous applications
received here by MS from old operators who
are in other businesses and would like to get back
and from others who are Oft on their vacations
and would be glad to earn an extra penny. We
believe tina. there are many country operators who
are not reached by the Brotherhood and whom We
conld call In to thu head CITY offices in
emergency. In Ncw-York there are 153. in Brook
lyn "a. and IN Jersey City 10 Offices Out OF this
number we could close about $50 without great
inconvenience to the public; attached to these
offices we probably have many operators who
the head Office There are a good many more men
acquainted with telegraphy who are ont OF employ
uient than the public imagnes believe That We
have got TO take the Brotherhood by the throat or
by and by they will DO taking us by the throat"
VIEWS or THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE.
The meeting OF the Executive Committee was not
over until nearly 3 p. m. The members then came
out and rushed through tho crowd OF waiting
reporters refusing to talk on tue situation. Cyrus
w. Field subsequently said to a TRIBUNE reporter:
ave have appointed q committee to consider
complaints and if any grievances exist they can be
properly presented for redress. The sentiment OF
the Executive Committee was unanimous against
rfsfd ho1y Wa arav we nra-
pared for a strike should IL come, and firmly
believe that the company would como out OF one
victorious" 49,
not word TO any one: II Is impossible"
EIasi us Winan though not a member of the Ex-
ecutive Committee of the Western Union, is d-
rector of the company and the president of the
Great Northwestern Telegraph Company OF Can
ada. and in this capacity he WAS Invited to attend
Of the session and declined 10 give All account OF
the proceedings. though he protested that the
action of the committee should not be Interpreted
as yielding in the slightest degree 10 the demands
of the brotherhood. He said that strike would
be extremely serious thing for his business as he
employed the telegraph to such an extent that bis
bills amounted to $4,000 year. but he was con-
WINGED that there wac justice ia the demands OF
| ths telegraphers and that they would not'be COM
Assistant General Manager Bates stated that the
company was fully resolved to recognize no secret
han approved General Eckerts course. aud its &C.
tion meant no compromise To tho brotherhood.
What do think OF the eituationI" MIR. Bates re-
| peated after the reporter. why, | think it's
lovely. haven't the least doubt that tho company
| will come out Of any strike successfully"
| General w. Is. Somerville. manager OF the Press
| service. said that the company had taken ali the
measures that could be taken TO meet the ener-
| gency Of strike. lie confident that IN
| twenty -four hours after such occurrence the
| Western Union lines would he wokilg without
| great Inconvenience to the public he did not
regard the action OF the company hostile to the
| real interests of employees.
Another officer OF the company said: "The conf
pany will never consent to general advance Of
pef cont or any other figure. The demand Is pre-
posterons. An Investigation would probably show
that many employees were over-pald for their SER
vices III Inequalities exist the fact can be brouQ Qbt