Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-07-25
OPERATORS ISSUE A CIRCULAR.
In Which They Explain Their Griev-
anceS in q Full and Candid Manner.
THEIR EXPRESSIONS IN THE PAST
And the Means They Have Taken II
Obtain Just Redress.
THE CONDITIONS ELSEWHERE.
Both Parties to the Strife Confident of
Final Success.
At 81. Paul,


The call at the Western Union tele-
graph Office yesterday found all confident
and serene. Superintendent McMichael
said the business was being handled with
but little delay, that four new operators
had Just come in, two from Chicago and
two from Omaha. The situation was i'm
proving generally at other points as we'll
as st. Paul.
The brotherhood held their usual meet
ing, having changed their location, howev-
er, to Druid hall. corner jackson and
Seventh streets. They report that they
received seven new members, two of them
being ladies and four of them out of the
Western Union Office here. They say they
are receiving large numbers of letters
giving encouragement and offers of aid,
and submit the following as a sample:
CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE s. ST. PAUL,
July %, 1888.
BRoTHERs.-The railroad operators are
watching you with intense interest, Every
one of Us are il sympathy with you and
your course. Keep the boys within bounds.
Do nothing to beget public censure and if
necessary to carry your point it is my
opinion that nine-tenths of the railroad
operators will join you. Yours,
RAILROAD OPERATORS.
The GLOBE has also received from the
bers, the following statement for publ
cation:
CARD 10 THE PUBLIC.
ST. PAUL, Mimi, July PA great deal
has appeared in the press regarding the
telegraphers' strike, but very little from
the operators side of the case That we
have grievances cannot be denied. The
cause which led to the strike may briefly
be told. The brotherhood claim that their
organization is the result of tyrannical
and unjust treatment melted out to them
during the past ten years. Between 1870
and 1874 two general reductions took
place, amounting to 25 per cent. From
1874 to 1877 local superintendent and
managers We'd with each other in econo-
mic suggestions. In 1873 the executive
committee, seeing the men submit to this
process so tamely, became holder, and an
nounced the famous sliding scale, or gen
eral reduction from 5 to % per cent. on
all employees, Protests were sent from all
points but without avail. The company's
official journal, containing the order
published on the same page showing in
creased profits. In 1876 a secret circular
issued from the executive department, in
structing all superintendent to fill all va
cancIes at So less per month. In 1880 the
American Union and other competing COM
panies coming into the field compelled the
Western Union to slightly advance salar-
les IL order to retain the services of their
best men. But Immediately after the con-
solidation of these companies salaries be-
gan to decline. All the brotherhood now
ask is a partial restoration of the stan
dard salaries paid before the systematic
squeezes were made. The petition pre-
scented to General Eckert, Monday, July
1G, asked an increase of 10 per cent. on
salaries now paid-equal pay for equal
work for both sexes. Eight hours to CON
stitute a days work ard seven hours for
night. Extra compensation for all labor
performed in excess of this, Sundays in
clu led. Is this asking too much?
Your readers have been fully and cor
rectly informed as to the reception &C
corded the men who presented this peti
ton on behalf of the Brotherhood. The
quibbling and dickering on the part of
General Eckert as to the identity of these
men was an unbusiness, und1gnifed and
ungentlemaniy act. The Western Union
in not recognizing the committee sent to
New York to represent US are wholly re
sponsible for this strike. We believe had
they treated them IN q business like man
ner our troubles would have been settled
long ago No body Of men deplore more
than we Go the present strike and the in.
conveniences the public and press are put
TO. But we believe it was the only alter
native left Us. The reports issued through
the Associated Press as to the true state
of affairs Is wholly unreliable. From OIL
ciai statements issued by the Brotherhood
at headquarters and private letters from
friends here and elsewhere, bears out the
statements already made that the Western
Union is badly crippled and demoralzed
everywhere.
Business is not moving with that seren-
ity the Western Union would have the
country believe it is. Although they re-
port large accessions to their ranks, the
majority filling strikers places are unsk1ll-
full and incompent men. This fact the
public has found out before this. It is
only matter of time ere the Western IN
ion will come to terms.
Our prospects for success never looked
brighter than they do now. Fresh addi-
tions are swelling our ranks, and that from
quarters least expected. While we are
not over sanguine as to the results of this
struggle, yet all are hopeful, and firm and
will fight it out to the bitter end. Not
single defect has taken place in oul
ranks and no signs of weakening is per
oeptible anywhere.
We do not intend to interfere with the
railroad operators, large majority OF
whom are Knights of Labor, and the bal
ance, although not members, deeply sym
pathize with US. But should the telegraph
superlntende nts insist upon their opera
tors transacting Western Union bushes:
we shall be compelled to call them out also
As far as we can learn everything is goine
on orderly and quietly. Not single in
stance of misbehavior on the part of thu
strikers is reported anywhere.
The statement made in yesterdays Pho
aleer Press that the operators of st. Pau
Office had insulted several ladies who re
manned with the Western Union is false il
every particular. So also are the report:
of wire cutting and the canard reporting
Gen. Grants death. These reports are is
sued in order that the Western Union NAV