Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-07-20

Western Union Telegraph Company, which
likes the standard of wages for ths United
States and Canada. They give the following
suggestive facts IN support OF their claims:
Between the years 1870 and IVA two general
reductions took place throughout the couu-
try, amounting to about twenty five per cent:
From 1874 10 1877 local superintendents and
mansgers, In order to curry favor with the
company, Wed with each other in economic
suggestions. In 1873 the executive officers,
seeing the men submit go tamely to this pro-
cees, becime bolder, and announced the
famous Tor infamous) sliding scale or gene
raj reduction of from five to twenty five per
cent. on all employer. This instrument had
the quality OF sliding but one way down
ward), and was followed by many coptempt-
lble a1d underhand measures.
Protests were sent from all points without
avail. The compaDy's official journal, con-
tanning the order, with an audacity unpaI
alleled, had published on the same page, the
quarterly report, showing increased profits,
and no word OF explanation in the editorial
columns as TO the Inconsistency. Salaries
where deprecistirg everywhere. When the
at first for an olive branch, but it wss soon
plain that it was concocied for the purpose of
cuitingtdeeper than the previous method.
In 1876 a secret circular emanated from
the executive department, instruciipg super
lniendents that all vacancies must be hlled
al - lees per month th an received by pre-
vfous occUpsnts. The infamou, scheme had
toe desired effect, as under its working ssls-
ries dropped in Elk months TO $40 aud $50
North, South, East and West. Everybody
became discouraged and demoralizsd. Those
who could leave the business did go. The
outlook until 1880 was very dark, all glasses
being dismsyed aud indignant. During that
year the American Union and other COM
petlng telegraph companies, compelled the
Western Union Company 10 slightly advance
come salaries in order to retain their best
men, but immediately after the consolidation
OF these companies the systematic reduction
of salaries WAS again insugurated. After the
shooting Of President Garfield the volume of
business Increased to such an extent that fur
ther reductions for the time being ceased. It
is quite probable hat the formation of local
assemblies of the Brotherhood throughout the
United States and Canada has prevented any
further reductions. The members OF the
Brotherhood feel that they are now strong
enough to warrant them in demanding of the
various telegraph companies partial resto-
ration 10 the standard of salaries paid be-
fore the merciless and systematic "squeezes"
were made. The following is brief expla-
nation Of the several clauses embraced in the
bill of grievances presented 10 the telegraph
companies of the United States and Canada:
SUNDAY WORK.
1t is almost unnecessary to call attention
to the well-knoHn fact that all branches of
labor, skilled and unsk illed, when required
10 perform Sunday work, receive extra, and
in many cases double pay for such work,
which is not the case with telegraphic en-
ployes, who are at present required 10 perform
such service without extra compensation.
HOURS OF LABOR.
Telegraph operators are required TO possess
skill OF a high order; their occupation is
cop6ning snd continuous, and upon them are
concentrated the gravest responsibilities, and
this responsibility r. is constant and oppressive.
1t wears alike upon mind and body, and inn
pairs the elasticity of beth, while il always
demands the best conditions of both. The
late Mr.. William Orton, president Of the
Western. Union Telegraph Company, whose
executive ability end general knowledge or
all subjects pertaining to telegraphy cannot
be questioned, testified before Congressional
com mittee that telegraph operators could moi
perform daily more than six hours of con-
tinuous labor without endangering theil
health, conse quently the demand for eighl
hours for day work and seven hours fol
night work is believed to be reasonable an6
just In a number of the principal Office
seven hours constitute nights work at th'
present time; but i; is claimed by the oper
ators that they have no uniform system o
working hours, it being optional with loca
mauugers To regulate tue same, aud who, t,
curry favor with their superiors, irequentl,
impose extra working hours upon the III pro
tected operator IN order that they may show
economical management.
In explanation of the dema and for . gen
ersl increase of fifteen per cent, it is onlJ
necessary to call attention to the frequen
reductions that have been made, nolwith
standing the net profits of handling message
are much greater than in former years, ocea
stoned by improved machinery and NOR
skillful labor now employed.
wHEATsTokE OPERATORS.
The seeming exorbitant demand in favo
of the Wbeatstone operators is explained a
| follows: Twelve months ago q number @
experts were imported from England, wit
the understanding that as soon as the syster
was put in practical operation they would b
fairly com mpensated. On the 1st of March {
the present year they began work, and wer
informed by The manager that their allow
ance was to be $50 p r month, at the sam
time giving them to understand that as the
succeeded In developing the system their pc
sition would improve. Five months hav
now elapsed, and although they have bee
fully engaged during that time, and are no
doing nearly three times the amount OF wor
done in the opening month, they have nc
yet received any indication that their intel
ests or salaries, which they deem wholly in
adequate, are 10 be improved.
STATISTICS.
The Brotherhood Telegrsphers has ger
eral sta,isticiaD, also local statistician i
nearly every city and town il the Unite
States and Csnads. Complete statistics hav
been gathered, and show the following ger
eral averages of wages paid at present tim
The average pay for commercial operator
in the United States is $54 43 per month
average for commercial operators of Canad
is S37 49 per month; average of rsilros
operators in the United States is S39 so; az
erage for railroad operators in Canada
| S2Q ID IL should be borne in mind tn,