Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, D.T. [N.D.]) 1878-1884, 1883-07-20

report, showing increased profits. and no word
Of explanation in the editorial columns . TO
the inconsistency. Salaries were depreciating
everywhere. When the 'gradation' WAS N.
nounoed, it was mistaken at first Tor an olive
branch, but it was soon plain that it was COM
cocted for the purpose of cutting deeper than
the previous method.
Inl876 secret circular eminated from the
executive department, instructing superinten-
dollars less per month, than received by pre-
vious occupants. This Infamous scheme had
the desired effect, as under its working salaries
dropped in six months to forty dollars and fifty
dollars-north. SOUTH east and west. Every
body became discouraged and demoralized.
Those who could leave the business did so. The
out look until 1859 was very dark, all classes
being dismayed and indignant. During that
year the American Union and other competing
telegraph companies. compelled the Western
Union company to slightly advance some ssla-
ries in order to retain their best mon, but i'm
mediately after the consolidation of these COM
panies the systematic reduction of salaries was
again inaugurated. After the shooting of
President Garfield, the volume of business in
creased to such an extent, that
further reduction for tho time being
ceased. II il quite proable that
the formation of local assemblies of the Broth
erhood throughout the United States and CANA
i. -. ...,,o,<.7 .n., %r,&hnr ro1,nx;nu. Tho
members of the brotherhood feel that they are
now strong enough to warrant them in demand
ing of the various telegraph companies partial
restoration to the standard of salaries paid be-
fore the meroiless and systematic ''squeezes"
were made. The following is . brief explains
ton Of the several clauses embraced in the bill
of grievanc es presented to the telegraph COM
panies of the United States and Canada:
~. SUNDAY WORK. (.
It is almost unnecessary to call attention to
the we'll known fact that all branches of labor,
skilled and unskilled, when required to perform
Sunday work, receive extra, and in many cases
double pay for such work, which is not the case
with telegraphic employes, who are at present
required to perform such service without extra
compensation.
HOURS OF LABOR. Sc,
Telegraph operators are required to possess
skill of high order; their occupation is o6n-
fning and continuous and upon them is oonoen-
trated the gravest responsibilities, and this re-
sponsibihty is constant and oppressive. It wears
alike upon mind and body and impairs the elas-
ticity of both, while it always demands the best
conditions of both.
STATISTICS.
The brotherhood telegraphers has general
statistican, also . local statistioian, in nearly
every city and town in the United States and
Canada. Complete statistics have been gath
cred, and show the following general averages of
wages paid at the present time. The average
pay. for commercial operators in the United
States is $54.43 per month; average for CONNER
ciaL operators of Canada is $37.49 per
month; average of railroad operators
in the United States is thirty-nine dollars and
fifty cents; average for railroad operators in
Canada is twenty-nine dollars and twelve cents.
It should be borne in mind that operators are
not allowed extra compensation for Sunday
work, and that railroad operators at stations
where but one man is employed are required to
work from fourteen to sixteen hours per day,
and on many roads are required to sleep in or
convenient to their offices, so that they may be
called to receive ordera for delayed aud obtain Z
help for wrecked trains. These calls on many
roads are of frequent occurrence.