The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-07-20

aside from the questionable manner OF pre-
senting such memorial.
| One demand is that both sexes shall have
equal pay for equal work, and another for
| 15 per cent. increase on all salaries. An
operator now receiving n salary OF $50
would by this plan get smaller increase
| than one receiving $50 or 800, thus widen
| ing the difference now sexistlng. An $50
| operator at present works nine hours
daily, twenty-siX days month, equal to
"a 1S-100 cents per hour. Under the
schedule in the memorial the same opera
tor will receivSs92 per month for eight
hours daily, equal to about 30 per cent, in
addition to the Sunday allowance just
| granted under the new rule. This IL the
smallest increase demanded. In case
Wheatstone operator receives $50 per
month for twenty-six working days,
equal to 81 36-100 cents per hour,
the proposed schedule would give
HIM fl 46-100 cents per hour-an in
crease OF over "a per cent. Another de-
mand is that linemen shall be allowed two
days pay for Sunday work, and that S65
shall be the lowest rate OF pay, regardless
Of location or importance Of service, and
that the duties Of Iinemen shall be confined
TO legitimate work. Nothing is mentioned
about the duties OF other classes being re-
stricted to their particular line OF employ
ment, but IL such concessions were allowed
one class there is no reason for withhold
| ing il from others, and why llnemen should
have helpers is not understood. Again,
double pay for Sunday work offers temp
tations TO the men TO slight their Satur-
day duty to create a necessity for Sunday
work. The demand that both sexes shall
he paid the same for like service looks to
the driving Of woman labor from the ranks,
as, were the company to concede il, IL
would be to its interests TO prefer men
operators, who can be ayailed OF for greater
variety OF service than women operators,
who may be equally capable for general
duties.
In published interview with a member
OF the committee, he stated that since the
organization OF the league petty wire trOu-
bic and mistakes in messages have practi-
caIly ceased, and that business had been
greatly facilitated, these results being at
tributed directly TO the fact OF the Organiza-
ton. The reverse is the case. Operators
declining to join the league have been in
terfered with in their duties, wires have
been thrown ont OF working condition,
and in numerous cases the official business
OF the officers of the company has been
mutilated and seriously delayed. a strike
OF ! merican District Telegraph CompaDy's
| linemen, members OF the league, took
place IN this city recently, since which
| time the strikers have been engaged in cut
! ting wires daily, one man now beng un-
der arrest and indictment for such lawless
work. With thousands OF able-bodied
men out Of employment all over the coun-
try, many Of them applying to us for work,
such demand is remarkable. 1t is known
that q large proportion OF operators have
been led to join the league under cOmpul-
sion, and others under the belief that the
organization was cooperative for legitimate
and benevolent purposes, many OF whom
have stated that they will repudiate any ar
bltrary action OF the striking element.
THOMAS T. ECKERT,
Acting President.
The Situation Here Last Night.
Mr.. Tree, the superintendent Of this di-
vision OF the Western Union Company,
said last night that he had six men at work,
and had cleared the files OF all business.
Mr.. Angel, OF the night force, who was IN
the morning supposed TO be acting with
the strikers. came I'm and went to work as
usual. Those still out were: Messrs. w.
f. Wright, T. III. Netherland, i. G. Hall,
John w. Burruss, L. VI. Budd, j. j..
Vowles, Wilmer Padgett, and NJ. j. Burke.
The operator from the White Sulphur
| Springs Hotel will be here this morning TO
report to Mr.. Tree, and, with this force,
| he expresses confidence in his ability to
hold out against the strikers indefinitely.
Operators in the Richmond Office generally
are able to earn from S75 to 800 per month;
one or two 90 over, and one or two under,
these figures, according TO their capacity
and experience and willingness to under
take extra work. They all received their
half-mOnth's pay on the 10Th, and in eX-
pectation Of being out for some time. most
of them have huSbanded their resources.
The Brotherhood have some funds OF their
own, and have the promise OF help from
some other labor organizations.
Mr.. Tree reports that his cOmpany's
offices at StauntOn, WayncsbOro'. and
Charlotte, y. c.. are closed. The two first
will be abandoned for the present. Mr..
WaIstrum will probably be sent from
Richmond to Charlotte to-day.
Mr.. Tree had occasion yesterday to COM
plain TO the officers OF the Fredericksburg.
Danvlle, and Chesapeake and Ohio rail
roads about railroad operators cutting in
upon their wires. Whether done inten-
tionally or not, he believes that there will
be no cause Of complaint again.
At all other offices except the three men
toned above the company have nucleus
OF operators sufficient to carry on the busl-
ness for the present. They say they will
get along very well at Norfolk, Lynch
burg, Petersburg, and Portsmouth, and
expect TO add to their force at each OF these
places day by day.
Tie linemen Of this division have not
struck.
The following was received last night:
NEW YORK, July 10, 1888.
j. b. Tree, Superintendent:
With recruits we have fully half force
on duty i'm the Eastern division, and more
coming rapidly. They exhibit an enthu-
slasm that is wonderful. | have no fears
OF the result with such employees. Extend
to those in your division, both men and
women, my best thanks, and leave nothing
undone to provide for their wants, and
protect them from indignitles on the part
of the strikers. Spare no expense In this
respect; provide carriages Tor such as may
have to 90 home and back.
THOMAS T. ECKERT,
General Manager.
The following was received by an officer
OF the Brotherhood last evening from one
of the Executive Committee OF the Bro
therhood in New York:
at [the strikcl exceeds nay most san
guine expectations.
"Don't believe any rumors.
"All are solid and will remain so.
"Great excitement here. Everything at
a standstill."
Meeting OF Richmond Operators.
The striking operators held a meeting
last night, concerning which the follow
ing report has been furnished the Dis
patch: