Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-07-16
srRIKlne rELEcRAPHERs.
OMcials in Biissf1l lgnosasce-What
Operators Say.


Officers Of the Western Union Telegraph
Company who were applied today for infor-
nation about the threatened strike of the tel
egraphers' brotherhood say they had no in
formation on the subject. Supt. Humstone
said: "All know about it is simply moth
ing. There has no demand made upon the
company, and know of no cause of complaint.
do not know of any one authorized TO speak
for the operators. We have not received a
demand in that way. There are daily appli-
cations by individuals for increase of salary.
as usual, and these are being acted upon sep
arately, as usual; but know of no organ
lied application, and l should know it, If any
such application had been made to the COM
pany. Neither have had any notice that
any such application will be made. or that a
strike will occur at any specified time. The
Western Union EMPLOYS about 5000 opera
tors. of whom about 500 are in New York
city. l do not know how many OF them be-
long to the brotherhood"
Inquiries among telegraph operators were
met with the assurance that all pretended
revelations of the intentions of the brother
hood were without authority. as the utmost
secrecy was enjoined upon all having any
knowledge of what was going on. John
Mitchell, one of the publishers of the organ
of the brotherhood, the Telegraphers' Advo-
cate, said that the executive committee had
the whole matter in charge; that they are not
now in New York, and that no one outside
the aids would be permitted to know the pro-
ceedings of the meeting. if any were held.
He published the following. as an indication
of the feelings with which the recent order OF
the Western Union company, announcing a
changed scale of wages is regarded:
ssThe scale of wages has caused great dis
satisfaction throughout the entire country.
The night forces have been everywhere. they
claim, imposed upon by this order. which
the company makes public in manner which
to the unwary would indicate a concession.
The public, however, will not be gulled by
articles of this description. The day men,
too, have gained but little-one day in about
six weeks, or about two dollars a month. The
mere fact that that company had reOrganized
their system. caused many to become jubilant
thinking, of course, that the order was de-
cided increase. In sober thought how sadly
they must have felt. when, if their labor was
night duty. they found themselves deprived
of the one Sunday in everv eight, which they
now enjoy in New York City. In some
places the night men have only had to work
one and two Sundays in month. Now, un-
der the new order, they are compelled to
work every Sunday night-a reduction in the
| salaries of from four to eight dollars per
month. Viewing the order as a whole, it is
| practically big saving to the company.
They slightly reduce the hours of the Sun.
day day force, but greatly increase the hours
of the Sunday night force. The force, too.
is much larger Sunday nights than during the
day. In every way the new rules work in
favor of the company. and will not be salts
| factory to the men. This may be accepted
i "a 81 e Is H.
grievances of the operators. The main re
| form demanded is, however, equal pay fol
equal SERVICE which embraces some radical
change in the method of paying female oper
| ators, whose low wages make them strong
| competitors with the men. The brotherhood
| have induced so many of the young womer
to join them that the title of the organization
might well be changed to The Brotherhood
| and Sisterhood of Telegraphers.'
| An enthusiastic brother, when asked about
! the strike, said: The fun of it is that oul
| organization is so perfect that the officials O
| the company cannot put their hands on one
member for certain. We are in constan
communication every day at the expense O
| the company, and with all their vigilenct
| they cannot help it, We can converse freely
| in our cipher, which is an enigma to any
one not in possession of the key. NJ
| spy Gan uetect US, because II mt
hears despatch, he cannot tel
what it means; and, if one of them under
takes to talk with one of our men, he is SURE
| to be exposed the first sentence. If "a strike
| begins it will be first felt at North Sidney
where the cables join the land lines, ant
where experienced operators are needed
The next place will be Duxbury, Mass.
where the land join the French cable. If we
do strike, you Uni be certain it will be in
place where it will be felt"
New YORK, July Is.
| A secret meeting of the telegraph opera
tors belonging to the brotherhood was hello
this afternoon. 1t is understood that a SEIZED
ule of the concessions they demand is pre-
pared and will be presented to the Western
Union Telegraph Co. tomorrow morning. II
favorable reply is not received within
fixed time general strike will be ordered.