Daily globe., 1883-07-18
around whom the country will rally shout
| ing, Turn the rascals out"
THE THRE4TENFgD STRTKE.

The threatened strike of the tele-
is the most serious matter which has |
threatened the business interests of the |
country since the great railroad strike of |
1877. The demands of the operators for |
an advance of 10 per cent. and the reduc- |
ton of the day to eight hours appears on |
the face to be unreasonable. The |
Western Union company has already made
the working day nine hours for six days in
the week, with extra pay for Sunday, and
night work is based upon seven hours be-
ing counted as day, with allowances for
extra pay for extra hours. This is equiva
lent to a very material advance in salaries
an the company further express their
willingness to grade salaries according to
proficiency, giving the most skillful opera
tors a still further advance than that
which is secured by this reduction of
hours.
But it is not so much with the merits of
the controversy that the GLOBE wishes to
deal as with the methods resorted to in or
der to accomplish the end desired No
body of men have a right to combine to
paralyze and ruin, even though it be
temporary, the business interests of
the country, any more than the
South had the right to block the wheels of
| government in 1861. Every one knows
how thousands were plunged into rebellion
against their inclination and better iudg-
ment by this plea of standing by each
other, and in this threatened con-
test the s"l2e question or general
principle is involved. No one assumes
that the telegraph operators en- masse
would not be willing to make an equitable
adjustment of their alleged grievances,
but they have unwisely placed the regula-
tlon of their affairs in the hands of COM
mlttee or congress, and as individuals
practically have no voice in the matter
The telegraph operators in St. Paul, in
Chicago, in st. Louis, and all through the
country cannot tell whether they will
vacate their places at noon to day or not,
be cause they do not know what orders
their congress or committee may issue.
The telegraphic system of the country
has become so interviewer.
so much an integral part of
strike as is threatened ceases to be a pri-
vate contest between employer and
employe. The suspension of
telegraphic service for even
twentyfour hours, means abso-
lutte ruin to business interests and
we are sure the better judgment of every
competent telegraph operator in the coun-
try will revolt against taking such re-
sponsibility. The demand that all shall
receive the same rate of compensation
ought, of itself, to open the eyes of the
operators to the weakness OF
their position. There is no business
on earth where skill acquired by years
of labor, study and experience is not en-
titled to more consideration and compen.
sation than that of those who cannot fur.
nish corresponding qualifications.
The GLOBE does not champion the tele
graph company or any other cor
poration as against its employees
but no thoughtful man can com
, mend a combination to destroy the
; vital interests of the country, in order tc
secure advantages which thousands in the
| combination itself will not claim are alto
gether and entirely just, but which they
are preparing to endorse because directed
to do so by guiding head.
, We cannot believe that more sober
judgement will not ultimately prevail, ant
3 that the extreme measures threatened will
not be resorted to. The history of al
r such attempts shows them to be disastrou
to the parties to such combination
D and while they have the power t.
produce widespread disaster, the Brother
hood of Telegraphers will ultimately fin
{ themselves the greatest sufferers. The,
should act with independence, but wit
moderation and justice if they expect pub
lie support and success.