Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1883-07-26
Grievances Of the Telegraphers.

The brotherhood Of telegraphers have
published a statement Of their demands and
the argument by which they are supported.
The following extract relates to the question
of wages.
The members of the brotherhood claim
that their organization is the result of the
tyrannical and unjust treatment melted out
TO them during the past ten wears, and that
their demands are not unreasonable. in view
of the systematic reductions that have been
forced upon them at different times by the
Western Union Telegraph Company, which
fixes the standard of wages for the United
States and Canada. They give the following
suggestive facts in support Of their claims
Between the years 1870 and 1874 two gen
eral reductions took place throughout the
couutry, amounting to abou; % per cent.
From 1874 TO 1877 local superintendent
and managers, in order 10 curry favor with
the company, We'd with each other in eco
nomic suggestions. In 1878 the executive
officers. seeing the men submit so tamely 10
this process, became holder. and announced
the famous Tor infamous) sliding scale, or
general reduction of from 5 to % per cent
on all employees. This instrument, had the
quality Of sliding but one way (downward),
anu as ioiio"eu w many CoHttulptiUie anu
underhand measures. Protests were sent
from all points without avail. The COM
pany's official journal. containing the order,
with an audacity unparalleled. had published
on the same page the quarterly report. show
ing increased profits. and no word Of expla-
nation in the editorial columns as to the in
consistency. Salsrie, were deprecating ev-
erywhere. When the graduation" was an
nounced II was mistaken a, first for an olive
branch, but it was soon plain that i, was
conooeted for the purpose Of cutting deeper
than the previous method.
In 1876 . secret circular emanated from the
executive department, insiructing superin-
tendents that all vacancies must be filled at
five dollars les. per month than received by
previous occupants. This Infamous scheme
had the desired effect, as under its work ings.
salaries dropped in six months to 40 and 80
dollars-North, South. East and West. Ev-
erybody became discouraged and democrat
lied. Those who could leave the business
did so. The outlook until 1850 was very
dark, all classes being dismayed and indig-
nant- During that year the American Union
and other competing telegraph companies
compelled the Western Union Company 10
slightly advance some salaries in order to
retain their best men, but Immediately after
the consolidation Of these companies, the
systematic reduction of salaries was again
inaugurated. After the shooting Of Pre.i-
dent Garfield, the volume of business IN
creased to such an extent that further reduc-
tons for the time being ceased. Ii is quite
probable that the formation Of local assem-
slies of the brotherhood throughout the
United States and Canada has prevented any
further reductions. The members of the
brotherhood feel that they are now strong
enough to warrant them in demanding OF
he various telegraph companies partial re-
,'oraiion TO the standard of salaries paid be
fore the merciless and systematic "squeeres"
were made.