Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-07-24
THE STRIKE.
Important Points Gained by he Broth.
erho0d-The Baltimore 4 Ohio and
Rapid Companies Give In.

CHICAGO. July %.
The officials of the Western Union at
They have more men than they can use, and
are despatching messages promptly.
Mr. McMerrick of the Baltimore & Ohio
telegraph, says he has received advices from
headquarters that all negotiations between
| that company and the operators have been
broken off. as the company would not recog-
nize the brotherhood.
The strikers held large meeting in Chica-
go yesterday. They claim to have 1000 in
that CITY. The meeting was devoted to read
ing encouraging letters and kilograms from
other cities Advices from Harrisburg stat
ed that the strikers there had not returned
to work. They profess the utmost confidence
as to the result
Officials of the telephone company in
Chicago say that some unknown persons have
been cutting their wires. About so wires
were severed and a large number of tags
| changed, so that the repairers. and linemen
are greatly hampered in re-arranging the
trouble. All the wires cut were private lines
so that the fact was not at once brought
to the company's knowledge. The officials
also said that yesterday morning a number
of linemen engaged in raising wires to let a
house be moved under them. was set upon by
| 20 or 80 persons and their work so impeded
that the police were called and the mob dis
persed.
ST. LOUIS. July %.
The situation regarding the strike has not
materially changed. Yesterday a number of
operators were relieved from duty so that
they might obtain rest and recreation and
return to work again today. The telegraph
officials assert that everything is moving
along smoothly at that point and that all
business is being done promptly. They say
their force is constantly receiving accessions
and that they not only have enough opera
tors to perform the full service there but
not so well supplied. Superintendent Baker
says his entire district in now in very good
shape, aud that not single important point
in the southwest is lacking in force to do the
business offered.
The strikers are active and confident and
very sanguine of winning. One of the prom
inent members of the brotherhood saws they
have initiated new members every day since
the strike and have added 40 to their num-
Der since Thursday, giving them a total
strength in st. Louis of about 300. They
assert that several expert operators now en-
gagged in other business have joined the
brotherhood in order to give their moral sup
port. The sentiment of the merchants on
SuduSe sttuls ~ ut SeHtTally Ill FAVOR
the strikers, but the opinion of the press is
against them.
New YORK, July 90.
The Herald says arrangements have been
made between Mr.. Garrett of the Baltimore
& Ohio company, President May of the Rapid
and John Campbell of the telegraphers
brotherhood, whereby the Baltimore & Ohio
and Rapid Care to yield every concession
asked by the brotherhood, who in turn will
put the best operators in the country at the
service of these two companies and assist
them in every way.
The Sun mentions report that the broth
erhood are considering the advisabiity of
ordering the operators on the associated
press and on private wires to leave their
posts.
Among the new phases introduced into the
contest is the legal aspect. In New York the
board of trade has employed counsel, and
will institute proceedings to compel the
Western Union to perform satisfactory
service; but the company cannot do this
unless it comedies the demands of the strik-
ers. A movement in Boston similar to that
in New York is being actively agitated
A notice was posted in the operating room
of the New York office to the effect that dur
ing the progress of the strike, operators
would be paid not only their regular salary
but in addition thereto, pro rata of the sal
airy for every hour that they worked. In
other words the salary is to be paid as a
bonus, and a man who worked simply the
nine hours required for days work would
receive double pay, while the night operator
who worked the seven hours as well would
receive three salaries.
BosToN, July %.
Chairman Eugene J. O'Connor of the ex-
ecutive board of the brotherhood of tele-
graphers received a telegram at Boston last
evening, summoning him in haste to New
York. 1t is thought the Western Union
company may have made overtures of peace
which requires the consideration of the exec
utive board. Mr.. O'Connor left for New
York last night
KANSAS CITY, July %.
The situation of the telegraphers is I'M
changed. The company is able to take
charge of all business. Two operators joined
the strikers yesterday, one of whom has
hitherto stayed with the company.