The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1883-08-08


I'M rIEGRAPmIs' sIHHE.
While / write, that hive Of human industry, the
great Western Union Telegraph edifce on Broad
way. is buzzing with an unusual excitement The
question as to whether there Is to be a strike or
not is being discussed by an executive committee
These representatives Of 10 600 telegraph operators
IN the employ of the Western Telegraph Co. are
empowered absolutely 10 decide upon the question
al issue The operators demand an increase Of u
per cent per month on wages; that eight hours be
called a full days work, and seven hours a full
nights work, and that no work be required Of them
ON Sunday. except II be considered extra service
and paid for at double rates; that women employed
by the company shall be paid like wages for like
services as men: and lastly. that the line have
certain specified advances in wages. The operators
have thus far acted fOOishly, where, by wise con
duct, they might have carried the sympathy Of the
public with them. In the first place their demands
are absurd. They lump half dozen requests
which they formally presented TO General Eckort,
acting president Of the company, and expects, ap-
pIruutly. an unequiyOcal yes or no in reply to
Them an The ability Of the operators, II they will
stick together, 10 obtain concessions from the
company is admitted. But so intimately dependent
upon the use of the telegraph Is the entire bust
ness Of the country that there is hardly any
cure nCepUssibl0 which would so quickly make
panic and ruin in the commercial and financial
world here as the abandoning Of the wires by the
operators and the inability Of the Western Union
10 find substitutes.
The officials of the company have practically
decided b. refuse the consolidated requests made
They deny the right Of the Executive Committee"
OF the telegraph operators brotherhood 90 treat
for their employees but express a desire 10 hear
any employees grievance If he has any personally
when be the CmployC will be fairly treated and
such concessions made as may be made to appear
lust and proper. The Western Union people also
further blocked the path of the eNpeCtaut -trker-
90 the ,ympathles OF the public by naming com
mittee 10 consider the complaints and requests of
the employees of the company. II Is difficult 10
perceive in view Of the fair attribute Of Western
iuiuu directors as explained, how the operators
can decide 10 strike, unless II be from the fact
that they are well equipped financially, have afull
treasury and with promised aud from the labor
organizations claim to be able to hold out for six
months. Yet they have declared they will strike
II the corporation do not agree ssrifiU to their
demands and the corporation has virtually de
clarCd to do 50. II would not be surprising there
for If strike occurs before this letter gets 10
the Mississippi river ON It's way 10 you. You will
Of course know the result from your san Francisco
adyiccs which will leave the United States seven
days later than this letter leaves New York,
IHE HFBCT On rHE NAmITs,
The effect Of tho threatened teegraphio strike !
uu the grain and provisions speculative markets !
here at Chicago and elsewhere has been quite de
pressing to-day. On Saturday last, wheat and |
corn took a decided upward turn and pork and |
lard followed suit. They had wheat and corn /
been gradually stITenng up during the latter part
ut last week and by Saturday had succeeded IN /
obtaining o little life and advancing IN price. |
Previously for month, values Of wheat and corn, |
particularly Of wheat had been almost uuiutgr- |
ruPtCdlv downward. Monday and Tuesday of /
this week SAW Saturdays gam repeated in each i
rlsp. sD shat wheat at New York for the sIN DAYS
ending Tuesday evening had advanced six cents /
per bu-hol. However, as / said, the prospect of /
.uU wires induced holders to turn what they had !
into the market and figures grew smaller. This |
is but indication Of what Is likely to occur IT /
very general break takes place in the sending of
messages Provisions have been gathering con
siderable strength during the past few days, owing
.u % general revival in what is termed the legil-
mate demand, and the growth Of the belief that /
bC furious depression IN prices which that mar
aCt has undergone during the past month has 1
brought quotations down to level, sufficiently
low 30 make Il safe 10 buy.