The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1883-07-20
THE TELEGRAPaERs' STRIKE.

short time, at least, involve and completely
block the commercial business OF the country,
and stop in a great measure, large percent
age of the travel. II is a most gigantic
movement and is greater in extent than the
famous strike Of 1870, or the strike Of the
railroad men in the summer Of 1873, and the
importance of the strike is fully illustrated in
the canard about the death Of General Grant,
which was also the signal that precipitated
the .novement, and shows plainly that they
were aware of the power at their hands. There
are about 1900 telegraph operators
in the United States and Canada, and Of
this number, it is authoritatively stated that
more than 1900 Of them are active members
OF the Knights of Labor. About 5000 are
also pledged to cooperate with the organized
force in any and all movements to better their
condition instituted by that order. The situa-
ton is more than serious, and whether it will
result in lettering the condition of the opera
tors now in the movement is an open ques-
ton. But there is no denying the fact that
they have some cause for the grievances COM
planned Of, and the public at large will sympa-
thize with them in their efforts 10 secure bet
ter wages and more uniformity as to hours o
work, and If these wealthy corporations wish
to win public favor they will make
some concessions, If not all, asked
Of them, and settle the question
at once. Strikes are necessary once in while,
and the laboring men all over the country will
be slow to join hands with the powerful cor
poratons against the strikers, and they will find
support and sympathy and an earnest hope
from the masses that their demands may be
fully satisfied.
The telegraph companies claim TO be able
to manage the movement without acceding to
the terms demanded, but the columns of the
morning papers show that their words are not
true, and that though they may have filled
the vacant places with amateurs, yet they
were unable to transact the business Of even
one day.
The following is the text of the declaration
of the general convention as it applies TO the
commercial telegraph companies in distinction
to railroad work:
1. Believing that mans RELIGIOUS and moral
welfare require that at least one day in seven
be accorded him for rest and recreation. we
demand the total abolition of Sunday work as
a compulsorv duty unless COMMUNICATED os sv-
ira service.
2. That eight hours shall constitute a regu.
lar DAVIS work and seven hours a REGULAR
nights work but when circumstances make
the application of this law impracticable. work
ing hours shall be regulated by local assem-
blies. Both sexes shall receive eoual nav for
equal work
a. That universal increase of Is ner cent
on salaries now paid be demanded.
a. That the Executive BOARD of D;s,r;c,
Assembly No. az shall use their discrelion in
presenting the above demands upon ali corn.
mrrcial corperations in the IJni,ed Stotes
provided thew be made between the IGN dav
| of June and The Istb dav Of Augnst neSt "a
that The Executive Board sbaiI olive a, Las,
two weeks notice to every local assemble in
| District AZ as TO the exact time wbsn tLesa de-
mands will he made
(. That corporations mon whom these de-
mands shall be made. as above nrovided for
shall be required TO make answer IN The saus
within as hours.
6. That in case the telegram comnan;es
upon whom these demands are made DO M,
accede thereto within the time snec;6ed ,bs
District Executive Board shall order a cen.
| eral susnension NJ husineee a tbe,, H., 80
visable. and that thew shall have Gll .nower
TO conduct anv arbitration annertsin;na
thereto.
= Should any comnany cornor,ton ~