The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1883-07-26
LIGHTNING STRIKERS.
About Eight Thousand Members of the
Brotherhood of Telegraphers Forsake
Their Instruments-The Strike General
Throughout the Country.

Throughout the Country.
NEW YORK; July 20.
The telegraph operators here have struck.
At precisely twelve O'Clock yesterday, WASH
ington time, several hundred operators in
the Western Union Telegraph room laid
down their utensils and started for
the halls. Superintendent Humstone, who
to leave was about what had been expected
from the reports made to the company. In
the operating rooms were stationed several
policemen, and these, together With the of
ficials who were present; asked the strikers
to move out as. rapidly as possible,
and to leave the building. The
operators who remained at their
keys did very little work at first, aud
were interested spectators. Long lines
of operators were soon filing down stairs.
On their faces were depicted various emo
tions. The majority were hilarious, but
there were not wanting those whose feat
ures bore traces of uncertainty and fears
for the frture. Many were thoughtful,
and evidently appreciated that the strike
might mean long weeks Of idlehess, with
a scanty salary. The general feeling
was one Of confidence, however, and
determination to win was the catch-word.
AS soon as the advance guard of strikers
reached the basement, the hundreds of curl
Gus people, who were there and in the
street about the building, sent upa shout,
thtis spreading the news: Lii a. few
minutes more bulletin board
posted the facts, and the long con-
templated and much talked of strike
had begun, and was fully known at all news
centers. There was no disturbance. on the
Associated Press wires, which tap Wash
ington, Baltimore and Philadelphia with
their tributary territory, those wires being
manned by Associated Press telegraphers,
who have made no demand and have no
grievance.
CHICAGO, July 20.
The great strike of telegraph operators
was inaugurated in Chicago at II :05 yester-
day. The majority of the operators at the
Western Union, Mutual Union, and Balti-
more & Ohio companies left their desks in a
very orderly manner, and were received by
crowds of spectators in the streets with
cheers as they marched along. A good many
| of the lady operators joined the strike. The
| strikers repaired to Uhlich's Hall, where
| they went into secret session. The chief
| operators and few of the men staid in the
| operating rooms and managed to keep busi-
ness going. A large number of the officials
| clerks are telegraphers and were at once as
signed to the operating-rooms, and a score
| or more of men from country Offices were
| taken in to fill the places of the strikers.
simultaneously with the marching out of
| the Western Union men the operators on the
| Board of Trade floor quit their instruments
and went out OH the street to greet their fel-
| low strikers. The Baltimore & Ohio Office
was also deserted at the same moment.
| By twelve O'Clock communication was re-
established with Boston, New York, Phila-
| delphia, Toronto Baltimore, Minneapolis,
st. Paul, Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Cincin-
natl, Omaha, and st. Louis, which points
are the most important telegraphic centers.
| 1t is understood more men are left in Chi
cago than in offices east of here. Almost
none remained in New York. Pittsburgh
| had ten at noon, Philadelphia seventeen,
Cincinnati twelve, and Omaha sixteen. The
Chicago &c. N. IS" Commercial news de-
| partment reports) were being sent hence on
four wires, which will acquaint outside
boards of trade with the condition of Chi
cago markets in fair shape.
The Executive Committee of the Brother
Eood of Telegraphers is composed of the
| following: Engene j. O'COnnor, of Boston;
Roger j. Muliin, of Toronto; Mortimer u.
Shaw, of st. Louis; John Campbell, of
Pittsburgh, and Samuel Ford, of Nashville.
| WASHINGTON, July 20
In this city twelve operators are at work
| instead of fourteen, the regular number.
| Nine of the day force worked through Thurs
day, and it is understood five of these prom
| ised to return to work to-day. Twenty men
|
American Rapid office the manager and
one operator remain on duty and six have
| struck.
The present action OF operators has been
discussed in their local lodges since last Oc-
tober. At the convention each delegate had
a bill of grievances from his local organiza-
ton, from which the document presented to
the company was made. This document
| was afterward ratified by all local organiza-
tiOns.
| CINCINNATI, July 20.
The telegraphers' strike in the main Of
fee of the Western Union Company here oc-
CURED at IL 80 yesterday. At that hour
the Local Chief of the Brotherhood gave the
signal, three raps on the desk. The signal
was obeyed by all members of the Brother
hood rising and going Immediately out
There was no confusion, and no excitement.
Only about half a dozen of the working
force remained at their desks. Other oper-
ators will soon be put on.
AT the main office of the Baltimore &
Ohio every operator went out, and business
is wholly suspended. The same happened
at the main office of the Mutual Union.
On Change no messages were received or
sent by either of the three companies hav-
ing offices there. At the Western Union
Office guard was Immediately placed to
prevent outsiders entering the operating
room. All operators about the office were
sent to duty upstairs.
PITTSBURGH, Pa, July 20.
The telegraphers' strike was inaugurated
at II Al Thursday morning. AT that hour,
at q given signal, every member of the
Brotherhood quit work, and, coming out OF
the several offices, formed a procession, and
marched to their headquarters. where a
meeting was held.
INDIANAPoLIs, Ind, July 20.
Promptly on L, ceiNi lg the signal, viz.
General Grant drt PIE dead," two-thirds
of the operators in the Western Union office
left their desks. There are now eighteen
first-clasS operators on duty and the ranks
are filling up rapidly.
The telegraph operators here all struck a
twelve O'Clock Thursday, Washington time
[ The Baltimore & Ohio Office is deserted
rOf over thirty III the Western Union, onl.
four remained, but five additional have al
ready been secured, and more will come
The Western Union say they will transac
all the necessary business.
CLEVELAND, O., July 20.
AT nineteen minutes before noon all TIN
Western Union operators, except five, lef
their keys and struck. The Western Unio
, is steadily filling vacancies at operatin
tables, accepting all business as presented
and expects to be in usual working cond
tion i'll twenty-four hours. The America
| lGtpiu OlllC6 Is clOSeu 10 DuSlIleSS. IL
Mutual Union force is not affected.
ST. LOUIS, Mo-, July 20.
Fifty-four of the seventy-five operators o
, the day force on duty in the Western Un
!, ion left their instruments promptly at twelv
O'Clock Thursday, Washington time. TIL
force now in the office numbers about fifty
and business is moving with reasonable ce
lerity.
l DETROIT, July 20.
: The majority of the telegraph operator
t of the Western Union office in this city q
! 11:30 Thursday morning left their desk
q A small force remained, which are dispo:
:, ing Of the business in the best manner po:
sible under the circumstances.
OMAHA, Neb., July 20.
: Only a slight disturbance will be cause
S here by the strike of teIegraphers, as a fe'
s remained and the local manager had er
+ gagged extra men and was prepared. I'll
day operators quit in body at 1880 yeste