The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-08-16
THE STRIKE.

NEW YORK, Aug. 15.--Western Union ofac-
ials said this morning that everything was
remarkably quiet and the wires had not been
tampered with last night, consequently there
was no delay in getting at work this morning
They also stated that business was increasing
every day and they were able to handle it
promptly. The attitude of the Western Union
Company remains unchanged with regard to
he strike and there is now apparently very
title prospect that the brotherhood will obtain
what 1t has demanded; q It II said there are
many among the. striking operators who have
began to feel it is useless to continue the
fight longer and they predict the failure Of the
Of the strike will be the death of the Brother
hood of Telegraphers as it was Of the League
ten years ago.
Gold and Stock wires were all in working
order this morning. 1t is thought the redoub-
led vigilance on the part OF the police in con-
sequence OF yesterdays order prevented the
wire cutter from carrying out the usual pro-
gramme last night.
AT noon today committee of six operators
formerly employed by the Western Union
waited on General Eckert and asked for an
interview, which was granted. The commit.
tee said they represented the Morse operators,
Wheatstone operators, linemen in the employ
OF the Western Union, but their call was not
the Brotherhood Their purpose was to in
quire on what terms the men would be taken
back into the service. Gen. Eckert said he
would recommend these now out should apply
to the respective superintendents as to terms
for resumption.
The strikers Write Eciert a Letter.
The following letter was brought to the As
sociated Press Office this afternoon, dated
Manhattan Hotel, and addressed to the Asso-
ciated Press:
New YORK, Aug Is.
Mr. Thomas r. Eckert, General Manager and
Acting President Western Union Telegraph
Company, New York:
Sir,-On the 10th of July the executive
board Of the Brotherhood Of Telegraphers
waited on you and presented q petition on be-
half of the employees of your company, request
ing your consideration OF grievances which
they desired to have redressed. You stated
at that time that you could not recognize the
right of that board to speak for your employees,
and have since repeatedly asserted your will
lingness to receive committee composed Of
employees OF the company and not representing
any organization. Believing that you were
sincere in your desire so to act, an independent
committee OF operators and linemen, repre-
senting your employees in three OF the most
important cities, called on you today for the
purpose Of effecting an amicable settlement of
the existing difficulties. Yonr reception OF the
committee was to say the least arrogant and
decidedly disrespectful, and there was no evil
dence on your part, of a desire to treat with
the gentlemen who waited on you. Your ac-
ton today will readily show to the public that
your company has no intention to deal justly
by its employees or the pubic, and it will be
still further apparent that in your avowed de-
sire to treat with employees individually, you
have no other object in view than to break up
the Brotherhood, thereby denying the right of
workingmen to combine for mutual protec-
tion; and in order to discriminate against those
who you may be pleased to regard as leaders in
the movement; Since all our attempts to ef-
feet reconciliation have proved futile, we
now desire to state that it is the intention Of
the members of the Brotherhood to ignore
your ultimatum and carry on the fight with
renewed vigor and determination by every
legitimate means in our power.
BY order of the executive board,
Respectfully yours.
JOHN CAMPBELL.