Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-07-19
NO STRIKE YET.
The Telegraphers Still at Their Decks,
but Ready 10 Quit at q Mo-
ment's Notice.
No Definite Action Taken by the West.
srn UniOn-The Feeling at
New York.

NEW YORK, July ia feverIsh feeling
exists in ielegraphic circles over the threat
ened strike. Every person interested is aux
iously awaiting the result of the meeting Of
the Executive Committee of the Western
Union Director. The committee of the
Brotherhood held q meeting early this morn
ing, but what trarspired there could not be
learned. Cipher dispstches were received
by the committee from various points stat
ing that the operators were in readiness to
leave t1eir decks at q moments notice. W.
L. Somsrville, OF the Western Union Com.
psuy, said to-day that there seemed to be
little possibility that the company would
grant the request, and that a strike seemed
to be inevitable. The dem ands were unjust
and unreasonable, and if strike should
happen the company would fight it to the
bitter end. W. J. D-sly, manager Of the
operating room Of the Western Union, said
he did not believe strike would be COM
menced without mature deliberation
upon the part of the operators.
Tris morning there was an unusually large
f,rce at work in the Office, numbering be-
tween 800 and 700. The ordinary number
OF absentees aas from fifteen TO twenty-five
There were only nine absentees this morn
ing. He said he had at least fifty letters
from employees Of the company promising TO
stand by it in the event of a strike. There
were twenty. nine chisf operators in the Office,
each one having under him from eighteen to
twenty-five men. This morning q canvass
was made by these chiefs among the operators
to ascertain, if possible, the real strength of
toe dissfecled portions, and how large
force might se relied on in case of = strike.
The first report showed that out OF twenty
one operators twelve were doubtful and nine
promised TO stand by the company. Later
reports indicated that this proportion repre-
sspled the division of feeling throughout the
whole force. The Whealstone operators, TO
8 mao, Dsaly said, promised to stand By the
Company in case Of strike.
THE coMPANY's ACTION.
AT the regular weekly meeting OF the Er-
ecutive Committee of the Directors of the
Western Union Telegraph Company to-day
the following was adopted;
ResoiUed, That committee, consisting OF
Ex Gov. Cornell, J. w. Clendenin and John
L. Terry, be appointed 10 inquire into the
complaints OF inequalities of compensa-
ton and condition of service of the EN- ployes
OF this company, if any, and report to this
committee.
Oae OF the gentlemen who attended the
meeting says the sentiment was unanimous
in support OF the action of Gen. Eckert in
his reception of the committee, who called
H. Il
isst, and that bis letter to Col. Clowry, of
Chicago, outlining the position and resources
Of the company and calling attention to the
exorbitant demands of that committee, was
likewise discussed and warmly approved
The meeting did not take cognizsnce, in fact,
Of the petition, since il was held that what
ever ccmpisints the employees OF the COM
pany might have te make must be m sde di-
rectly by themselves 10 the company's Off
cers. The sub comnittee is not empowered
except TO m axe report next week, Wednes-
day, when ths fuii committee meets again.
The compo o-i,ion Of tue committee, however,
is OF soms interest as bearing on the temper
OF the meeting, and its future action. Glen
denim, one OF the memoers, is president Of
the Acadia Coal Compauy, which has extern
slv- mio.s at PIcton, n J. The miners there
have been q turbulent community, and have
frequently INDUCED in strikes. Cieudenin has
always m snaged these crises, and never yield
I'd 10 the demands made through the me-
diums OF a strike. Ex Gov. Cornell and
Terry are also said 10 be opposed to strikes
IS means Of settling wage difficulties.
Ihe Wheatstone is a system for the rapid
rausm isson OF messages and news. 1t has
been in use many years in E1glsnd but is
com psrs'ivsly a nav thing In this country.
The instrument will do nearly ten times the
work that cln be done on an ordinary wire.
| Snoud tue Wneatstone operators remain
AID lhe other operators strike, tn, telegraph
company woUld have a consi ierable adv vant-
ige through the use of the ays:em. The
members of the Brotherhood claim that
nearly all the Wbearstoae men are willing to
90 out, while the officers of the company say
hat not morei hsn Two or three OF The nine
zen local employees and not a large
Number OF those elsewhere will consent to
strike.