The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-07-19
THE opExAroR,' DEmANDs.
No Probability That rhcy Will be Gran
ed-A strike Inevitable.


No Probability Thnt rhcy Will be Grant
eI-A strike Inevitable.
New YoRE, July lS.-It was announced
in the morning papers that Committee
from the Telegrapher's Brotherhood would
wait on the Western Union Company this
morning, to demand an answer to Their
petition in reference to wages and hours oi
work. Up to 1850 o'clock this morning
none OF tho committee had appeared. A
meeting OF the directors OF the telegraph
company will be held at 1880 O'Clock, and
the result, so fur as it refers 10 the petition,
will probably not be known for an hour or
two after that time. No evidence OF un.
usual excitement among the operators was
apparent this morning, although the situ-
alton is discussed with much interest where
ever u knot Of them gather.
A feverish feeling exists in telegraphic
circles over the threatened strike. Every
pers N interested is anxiously awaiting the
result OF the meeting Of the Executive
Committee OF the Western Union Direct
ors. &committee oil tue Brotherhood held
a meeting early this morning, but what
transpired there could not be learned. C!-
pher dispatches were received by the Com.
mittee from various points, stating that the
operators were in readiness TO leave their
desks ut q moments notice.
A STRIKE INEVITABLE.
Dir. W. b. Somerviilc, OF the Western
Union Company, said to-day there seemed
to be little possibility that the COM
pany would grant the request, and that II
strike seemed to be inevitable. The de-
mands were Ipjusi and unreasonable, and
il the strike should happen, the company
would tight it to the bitter end. W. J.
Dealy, manager Of the operating room Of
the Western Union, said he did not be-
lieve the strike would be commenced with.
out mature deliberation on the part OF the
operators. This morning there was an un-
usually large force at work in the office,
numbering betweeR 800 and 700. The OF
dinaIy number ot aIeentees is from fifteen
TO twenty-five, but there were only
nine absentees this morning. lie SAID
lie bad at least fifty letters from employees
OF the company promising 10 stand by it in
the event Of u strike. There we're twenty.
nine chief operators in the office, each one
having under him from eighteen 10 twenty.
five men. This morning canvass was
made by these chiefs among operators to
ascertain, If possible, the real strength Of
the disatFtcted portions and hew large a
force might be relied on in case OF strike.
The first report showed that out Of q oper-
ators II were doubtful and nine prOmist d
to stand by the company.
Later reports Indicate this proportion
represented the division OF feeling Through.
cut the whole force. The Wheatstone op.
orators even to man, Mr.. Dealy said,
promised to stand by the company in case
OF a strike.
ACTION OF THE DIREoroRs.
At the regular weekly meeting OF the
Executive Committee Of the Directors Of
the Western Union Telegraph Company
to-day the following wss adopted:
eUIred:-That committee consisting
ofex Gov. Cornell, j, W. Clendenin and
Jno. I. Terry, be appointed to inquire into
the complaints Of inequalities OF COM
pensation and the conditions OF service OF
the employees OF this company, il any, and
report to this committee.
One OF thegenllemen who attended the
meeting says the sentiment was unani-
nous in support OF tie action OF General
Eckert in his reception OF the committee
who called on him TO present the memorial
Monday last. and that his letter to Colonel
Clowry, OF Chicago, outlining the position
and resources OF the company, and calling
to the exorbitant demands OF that
committee, was likewise discussed and
warmly approved. The meeting did not
take cognizance Of the petition, since it was
held that whatever complaints the EN-.
poyes OF the company might have to make
must be made directly by themselves to
the cOmpany's officers. The sub.romnlit'
tee is not empowered except to make re.
port next week, Wednesday, when the full
committee meets sgain. r.u..
The composition OF the Committee is,
however, OF some interest as bearing on
the temper OF the meeting and It's future
action. Clendcnin, one Of the members, is
president OF the Acadia Coal Company,
which has extensive mines in PiCtou. The
United States miners there have been a
turbulent community and have frequently
INDUCED in strikes. Clendenin has always
managed these crises and never yielded TO
the demands made through the medium Of
a strike. Ex-Governor Cornell aud Terry
are also said to be opposed TO strike as a
means OF settling difficulties.
TIE wHEATsToSE SYSTEM.
The Wheatstone is a system Of rapid
transmission Of messages and news. 1t has