New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-07-17

Another prominent Western Union officer said
"Tclcpaphcrs cannot be regarded rs skilled arti.
sans Most OF them have risen from the position OF
messengers; They are now as well paid as the
average o. bankers and merchants clerks ana
cent increase. While the operators are better
organized than in 1870. at the time Of the strike.
them are married and have families to support. I
don't believe shey could be held together in strike
for any length of time"
HOW THE OPERATORS FEEL.
A feeling of anxious expectancy was manifest
among the members of the Brotherhood of Tele-
graph Operators after their demands had been
presented TO the company, and until an answer Is
received the operators will be on the anxous-seat
One of the members of the committee stated that
the committee had sole control Of all matters re-
latng to the demands so far as the operators were
concerned. Its meetings secret and the pro-
oeedings are not divuged even to members of the
Brotherhood. He declined to give an opinion as
70 the probability of strike further than that
all the members OF the committee were fal,y awake
to the gravity of such a measure. aud the disas-
trous effects it would leave the business IN
terests of the country, and he was certain that no
extreme measures would be taken unless 1t proved
be allowed ample time to consider the demands
and make answer. The committee had
not decided what action would be taken
part of o the company to acceds to them. but would
do 30 before separating. Personally he opposed
to strike If it could possibly be avoided In speak,
ing of the demands he said that 1t must oe
acknowledged that they were reasonable. sons
years ago a good operator could readily command a
salary Of from 500 to $l25 month pay ysraSs nsa
paw was not more than half that amount Inc ad-
vance asked would not put telegraph operators on
as high a level as workmen who were not reqursd i
to have either good an education OF as much SKILL
READY FOR STRIKE IF NECESSARY.
John Mitchell, of The IeleardpkerS Adrocate said
that in case strke was ordered every member or
the Brotherhood would stop work and would not
return until permission was granted. The Brother
hood had perfect confidence in the judgment and
good sense of the committee. and would abide by It's
decisions no matter what they might be In case OF
strike it would be an utter impossibility for the
Western Union Company to ill the places of the
men who would quit work. He did not think there
would bo strike, put would not be surprised should
such measure be deemed necessary
Opsfators Indignantly denied Mr. Humstone's
when they asked rsgasdag ~ mt ,he hs
cOmDanv in the best light" said one member or the
Brotherhood" Saturdays or Sundays of, with
paw humphp SAID another. why, we're docked
il we're ten minutes late IN reporting for duty"
DISCUSSING THE SITUATION.
The members of the committee were at the Man.
haitian Hotel, at Canal ST. and Broadway last even-
ing. and they rece we'd number of the prominent
operators and discussed the situation John Camp
bell, who acted as spokesman for the committee,
said that they were all bound to absolute secrecy
and that any information to the intentions of the
Brotherhood purporting to come from the
committee or any Of its members
was absolutely false. When the proper
time came in the judgment of the committee. all the
information necessary would be given TO the public,
and not before.
Another member, in speaking Of the secrecy OBJ
served in all the movements OF the brotherhood,
said "Its part of business 10 keep the secrets
of other people. and 1t would be queer thing If We
were net able to keep oar own: Judging by the
reports in some of the papers this business must be
a severe strain on the imaginative powers Of the
reporters"
In operator stated 10 a TRIBUYB reporter that
IL had been definitely decided that all members Of
the Brotherhood should resign in q body tomorrow
morning if the requests made In the petition pre-
sented this morning should be refused. While this
statement could not be confirmed authortatively.
it is the general opinion among operators that
definite action will he taken tomorrow.
One curious feature OF the composition. OF the
committee ~ the absence OF New-fork representa-
tive. Ii was stated that If New-York man had
been put the committee he would have been a
marked man whether the demands were granted or
not. and it thought wise not to expose any one
to possible persecution needlessy.
1t is stated authortatively that the brotherhood
numbers in the neighborhood of $4,000
members. Included In the number are
nearly all of the best operators in the country. IL
$3.50, 900 in the treasury available for
use in the event OF an extended strike. The
Brotherhood is connected with the Knights OF
Labor organization said TO number At least
$50, 900 msmb brrs aud TO have over 1000 local
assemblies all over the United States The latter
izaton is pledged to support the operators In
case of a strike both with svm ,athv and financial
aid. Members of tho Knights Of Labor in this city
state that that organization is prepared to back tho
telegraph operators 70 the extent OF 100000 IL
necessary.