Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-08-16
THE TELEGRArHlC SITUATION.
The Western Union Reports Everything
in Good Order-A Committee of
Strikers Call on Gen.
Eckert.

NEW YORK, Aug 10.
The Western Union officials said this
morning that everything was remarkably
quiet, that the wires had not been tempered
with and consequently there was no difficulty
getting at work this morning. The also state
that business is increasing every day, and
they were able to handle it promptly The
attitude of the Western Union Co. remains
unchanged with regard to the strike and
there is now apparently very little prospect
that the brotherhood will obtain what is de-
handed. 1t is said there are many among
the striking operators who have begun to
feel it useless to continue the strike longer
and they predict the failure of the strike will
be the death of the brOthe Ihood of telegraph
ers as it was of the league ten years ago.
The gold and stock wires are all in work
ing order this morning. 1t is thought re-
doubled vigilance on the part of the police in
consequence of Yesterdays order prevented
the wire cutters from carrying out their usual
program last night.
At noon, today, committee of six, being
striking operators formerly employed by the
Western Union company, waited on Gen.
Eckert and asked for an interview, which
was granted. The committee said they rep
scented the Morse operators, Wheatstone
operators and the llnemen in the employ OF
the Western Union, but their call was not to
be considered as a weakening on the part of
the brotherhood. Their purpose was to in
quire on what terms the men would be taken
back into the service.
Eckert said he would recommend those
now out should apply to their respective su-
perintendents as to the terms for resumption.
The Western Union meeting has adjourned.
Only routine business and the failure of the
strike was discussed.
The following letter was brought to the
Associated Press Office this afternoon, dated
Manhattan Hotel. and addressed to the AS
sociated Press of New YORK:
Mr.. Thomas L. Eckert, General Manager and
Acting President of the Western Union
Telegraph Co, New York.
On the 10th of July the executive board of
the brotherhood Of telegrapners waited on
you and presented petition on behalf of the
employees of your company, requesting your
consideration of the 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
ingness to receive a committee composed of
the employees of the company and not repres-
enting any organization. Believing that yOu
were sincere in your desire so to act, an in
dependent committee of operators and line
men, representing your employees in three
of the most important cities, called on you
today for the purpose of etfecting an am,ca-
BILE settlement of the existing difficulties.
Your reception of the committee, was to say
the least, arrogant and decidedly disrespect-
full, aud there was no evidence on your part
OF desire to treat with the gentlemen who
waited on you. Your action today will read
lily show to the public that the company has
no intention to deal justly with the employees
or the public, and it will still further be ap-
parent that in your avowed desire to treat
with the employees Individually, you have
no other object in view than to break up the
brotherhood, thus by denying the right of
workingmen to ombine for mutual protection
and aid in order to discriminate against those
whom you may be pleased to regard as lead
ers in this movement. Since all our at
tempts to effect reconciliation have proved
futile we now desire to state that it is the In
tention 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.