The Republican journal., 1883-07-26
The Telegraphers' Strike.

At given signal the telegraph operators of
this country struck work at noon on Thursday
last. The strikers are members of il secret So
ciety called the photographers Brotherhood. and
have the support of other labor organizations.
The strike originated with the employees of the
Western Union, who had requested an increase
of pay and Il reduction in the hours of labor,
| which demands were refused by the company.
Thus far public sympathy has been with the
operators, who have committed no overt acts,
but on the contrary have been careful in their
conduct and language. Indeed, the public has
also a grievance against the Western Union.
From an authorized capital of 500, 900, the
stock of the company has been watered until it
now reaches the enormous sum of $50 100000,
while telegraph experts declare that the whole
Western Union plant could be duplicated to-day
| for twenty or at most twenty-five millions of
dollars. In order to pay dividends on this Wa
tered stock the operators have been underpaid
and the public overcharged. Both have legiti-
mate cause for complaint.
With strikes in general the journal is not in
sympathy. Still less does it favor the secret So
cieties, with whose officers the strikes are ORR
ginated. In most cases the workmen them
selves have no grievances, but the officers of
their societies, who live upon the earnings of
the workingmen, find it necessary occasionally
to assert their power and demonstrate their ne
cessity. If they did not get up strike now
and then the workmen might ask themselves
why they were paying a percentage of their
wages to support IL few men in ideness, and
the presidents and secretaries of so-called labor
unions would have to earn their own living. 1t
is, of course, every mans privilege to get the
highest price for his labor possible, and to leave
off work if he sees fit. But when the labor
unions seek to ntimidate workmen outside of
| their organization, and to dictate to individuals
or corporations how they shall conduct their
business they go altogether too far. and must
expect resistance.
The present strike is one far reaching in its
effects, and if long continued flust result in
great loss to the country. The principal offices
have been kept open, but they have only few
operators, the majority of whom are incompe-
| tent, and have been unable to meet the public
| requirements. Many of the dispatches sent
have been incorrectly transmitted, and when it
is recollected what an important part the tele-
graph has in the business of the country it will
be seen how great must be the Inconvenience
and loss resulting from the present suspension
of Geographic facilities. The New York Herald
reminds the managers Of the Western Union
company that they owe duty to the public and
advises them to ''come to terms with their
striking servants as soon as possible" The
operators, it may be added, are also amenable
to public opinion, and if they refuse to accept
u reasonable compromise will certainly forfeit
the sympathy they had at the outset, despite
the fact that their demands as a whole are not
equitable. They no doubt anticipated a COM
promise, and it would be well for all concerned
if this were speedily brought about.