Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-07-17
WESTERN UNION STOCK FALLS
The Action of the Telegraphists Felt
on Wall Street


NEW YORK, July 16, 2 P. NAT 1
O'Clock this afternoon, Western Union
stock had declined from SO36 to 7S7S on
reports that the telegraph operators
would send in their demand for increased
pay and shorter hours of work to the COM
pany to-day. The general stock market
continues weak and lower, Manitoba
fell from 113A to 1073. The Mercantile
Trust Company is paying the Western
Union dividend OF ~ per cent. to share
holders to-day under the Gsuld agreement.
At 80 O'Clock this afternoon a commit
tee, representing the League of American
Telegraph Operators, visited the Western
Union building and We're received bv
General Eckert, the acting President.
The committee numbered seven. and in
cluded members from New Orleans. LOuis-
vile, st. Louis, Pittsburg and Chicago.
II is said that representative from New
ork was to be found on the committee.
After beng cordially received by General
Eckert, the chairman of the committee
stated the object of their mission and
presented a brief address to the officers of
the company, signed by the members of
the committee. In it they ask that the
company grant to the operators through
out the country general increase of 10
per cent. for their services. They also
ask for reduction in the hours of their
work. The petition closes with q request
that a reply be given at the earliest pOssi-
bic moment. No remarks were in
terchanged between the officials of the
Western Union Telegraph Company and
the committee beyond those incident to
the presentation of the petition referred
to. 1t is understood that some time will
be required by General Eckert. 1t is
further stated that there is not the slight
est Likelihood of the demand for
10 per cent. being complied with.
Whether either side will be pre-
pared to compromise has not
yet been determined. In the meanwhile
the entire force of operators in this city
continue at work, and reports from all
parts of the country indicate a similar
condition of affairs in all other cities.
Gen Eckert and various officers Of the
company held conference immediately
after the visit of the qmnmittee. Repre-
sentatives of the press were unable to
secure an audience with any of the nu-
merous officials of the company who were
understood to be discussing the course of
action to be taken regarding the demand
of the operators.
When the committee presented the me-
mortal they were asked if they represent
ed the employees of the Western Union
Company.
They answered eyes," but upon exam
lining the paper the officers found no list
of the employees. The committee said
that they could not furnish such a list. as
1t would take long time to prepare it,
and they were here under expense. They
were told that the company did not recog-
ognize the committee, and would expect a
list OF such of its employees as desired to
be represented by the committee. 1t is
understood that this list is being pre-
pared. The memorial presented is as fol-
lows
CENTRAL OFFICE OF THE BROTH
ERHOOD OF TELEGRAPHERs OF
THE UNITED STATES AND CANADAl
10 Thomas I. E'cbert, Esq, General Nan
dger and President of the Western Union
Telegraph Company, Ne11 York Citg:
SIR - The undersigned. the Executive
Board of the Brotherhood of Telegraphers
of the United States and Canada. acting in
accordance with instructions from that
body, respectfully petition your favorable
consideration of the following memorial,
embOdving the desires of all classes of
employees in the service of the Western
Union Telegrph Company:
SEC. /. Beliving that mans physical
and mental welfare requires that at least
one day in seven be accorded him for rest
and recreation, we request a total abOli-
tion of Sunday work as compulsory duty
unless compensated for as extra service
SEC. 2. That eight hours shall cOnsti-
tute days work and seven hours a nights
work.
SEC. 3. Both sexes shall receive equal
pay for equal work.
SEC. 4. That a universal increase of
10 per cent. on all salaries now paid be
granted.
LINEMEN's INTERESTS.
SEC. l. That eight hours shall constitute
regular days work and that cOmpensa-
tiOn at the rate of two days pay be allowed
for all Sunday work. That the lowest
salary paid regular lineman shall be 500
per month and for helpers $50. That the
duties of linemen be confined solely to
their legitimate work.
WHEATsTONE INTERESTS.
SEC. l. That the salaries of first-class
Wheatstone operators be increased to $75
per month and secOnd-class operators to
$50 per month, and that they receive in
addition the ID per cent. increase asked
for the Morse operators.
SEC. 2. That the working hours of
Wheatstone operators be the same as
those of the Morse operators.
A reply at the earliest possible moment
is solicited. Very respectfully,
EUGENE O'CONNOR, Chm'n.
MORTIMER ID. SHAW Spp,V