The Portland daily press., 1883-07-21
THE STRIKE.
The Situation Yesterday.

The situation in this city of all connected
with the late strike remained yesterday nearly
the same as the day previous. Mr.. Bedow,
assistant superintendent OF the Western Union
in this city, said he had operators enough to
take all messages received. He thought the
papers would receive their Associated Press
dispatches as usual, at least all that were sent
from Boston.
In conversation with an operator, not
member OF the Brotherhood, he expressed an
opinion that the strike would prove failure.
ut cannot be success" he said, against
such capital as GouId's and vauderbit's be-
cause the men are not a INIT, aud to make
great strike . perfect success such must 90 the
case"
The strikers remain firm, One of them said
that they were kept fully posted by private
dispatches as TO the condition of things "All
the Brotherhood" he remarked. "had not
struck. The Associated Press dispatches are
doctored to suit the Western Union people in
telling the public of the strike. 1t is absurd
to talk about the places of skilled mon being
readily supplied to the extent claimed by the
company Further more the strikers are
constantly receiving fresh additions" Said
another, II was talking with a fellow in dis
tant city today He was a new hand put on
in the place of a striker by the company by
which am employed. have enough to do
to keep me on the jump all the time. Well,
this new chap said, Give it slower, and l re-
iuced my speed although don't call myself a
rapid operator. This fellow again sings out,
Don't go so fast Well / slowed down to
tortoise speed, and even that he couldn't keep
up. Now couldn't fool any valuable time
with that chap and gave him the stuff TO suit
myself. What sort of mess he made of it is
his lookout"
1t is understood the force in the operating
room at present consists of Messrs. Livermore,
Eastman, Miss Bedlow, Messrs: Smith, Hall
and Malone.
One of the striking operators said we'll
known merchant of this city told him yester-
day he sympathized with him strongly in this
matter and he would advance him 500 any
time he needed it. Another merchant SYM
pathized with the operators but thought they
should have asked 8 committee of arbitration
made up of parties who were entirely disn-
terested. Then if the Western Union had re-
fused to accept the committees decision if adj
verse to them, the public would have support
ed the operators and demanded the concessions
required. Another merchant said he didn't
believe in strikes but he sympathized with
these strikers. Still another feared so much
money might be brought to bear to induce the
head ones in the strike to suceumb that they
W %,aaa la yied and sell out tn cir comrades.
Lswiston's telegraph conveniences are not
mr. ora cd hv he Ea Pnth
ern Union and the Mutual Union are receiving
messages No danger is apprehended az pres
ent of any stoppage 10 business A number of
assistant operators in thst city have withdrawn
from work, but the managers are at work. The
railroad offices are at work as usual. Manager
Libby is the only operator in the Western Un-
ion in Lewiston. He is not member of the
Brotherhood. The Journal is able to obtain
but portion OF the Associated Press news.
Augusta is affected by the strike. When
evening arrived, the night operator did not ap-
pear at the office. He had struck and left the
city for Portland on Jewetts train. As re-
suit no night messages or press dispatches
were received, the Office remaining closed after
o'clock in the evening. The manager re-
manned at his post during the day and did not
strike All messages sent were subject to de-
lay, as operatives were not present in other-of-
fees to take the dispatches. Many used the
mails rather than have their communications
subject to the uncertainties of the wire.
A visit to the Office of the Western Union in
Bangor showed all the operators at their posts
as usual. They have not Joined ia the strike
aud do not propose to do so.
Tha onerafar MT bath did NOT strike INIT
could not send messages because their was no
one to receive them. "Wen,' said a gentle
man who wished to send dispatch, 81 would
like to get that off to Boston, but as thes have
struck hope they will succeed. If they want
funds I'll help them with twenty and viii
board one of them month"