New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-08-19
AFTER THE GREAT STRIKE.
AIMING TO DISRUPT TIE BROTHERHOOD.


MANY TO BE LEFT WITHOUT EMPLOYMENT.
The striking telegraphers who were accepted oy
the Western Union Telegraph Company yesterday
were forced to sign an agreement by which they
renounced their allegiance to the Brotherhood and
promised never to Join any association which should
attempt under any circumstances to dictate terms
to the company either in regard to the hours OF
labor or the amount of pay. Apparently all signed
the agreement willingly, but some of them hinted
afterward that they considered tho promise OF no
effect because it had been extorted under com-
pulsion. They all signed the contract however,
with readiness which seemed the expression Vi
their relief that the struggle had been ended None
whose application was approved refused on account
of the agreement to be reinstated. The principal
anxiety seemed to be to get back on any terms
The office of Superintendent Humstone was De-
sieged all day by the applicants for work. Some Oh
them entered the room with jaunty air, Dut mono
was able to conceal the desire to secure the oiu
place. Those who were successful In their appilca-
ton took no pains to hide their satisfaction,
while those who were waiting their turn soeheu
envious of their happy comrades. There were from
rs to 100 operators taken back yesterday, out OF
about 125 applicants. Some Of the late-comers
consented to 60 to Chicago aud other points 10
which the superintendent assigned them.
David II. Bates, assistant to the general manager
said: There is nothing to be said about the strike
except that it is ended As matter OF TACT IL was
ended on July 10, the very day on which IL was
begun No one save tho company seemed
to appreciate this fact, but it was iaot
nevertheless There not moment
when the company had the fantest idea OF yieidinR
TO the demands of the strikers. There was az 10
time a real necessity which even suggested the pos
sibility of compromise. So far as know
IL al
opinion among the directors of the company.
They were united the opposition to tue
demands of the Brotherhood. As TO tho policy OF
the company in regard to the strikers. am Oh
course, not authorized to speak, but imagine 1t
will be fair and generous. | am sure that the COM
pany has no wish TO be otherwise than liberal ~
ls willing 10 forget and forgive"
Press Agent Somcrville suggested that the re-
ports AZ TO the condition of matters when mao Deeu
made by the company from day to day had pee ll
fully justified by events. Inc stf nIa, y
overestlmated their strength from the hr:i,D
he said. "A good many members OF the
brotherhood hesitated ut the last moment
ana then they remained with tho company
1t is not true that General Eckcrt failed TO appre
ciate the strength of the organizations ne was SUI
prised agrecaby to find that so many OF the opera
tors remained at work when the strike was ordeteu
His administration of the affairs OF the company
has been free from mistakes, In spite OF the Ousnes
of adv vice which has received since the beginning
of the strike. The leaders OF the strike on the other
hard have misre presented matters not only TO the
bell see confesses that the leaders despared OF
success at the end of the first week. II they had
told the Brotherhood this, they womb
have saved the strikers q great desl.
At that time the company would have TAKEN
back nearly all tho strikers because II had hlled
their places temporarily only. Three days ago
there were not over thousand vacancies IN the
whole country which had not been hlled perna-
nenly. Ii il impossible To say positively yet OUT so
far as can Judge at least onethir of the strikers
cannot possibly he relnstated. The company VIII
not go back on tho men who have stood by ". !
think, however, that the number Of the strikers
has been exaggerated from the start. The Brother
hood claimed that 5000 men quit work, but TINS
was not a correct enumeration. III IL was then
more than one-half of them will be LETT ont IN the
cold. do not believe that the strikers humpeIeu
3 900 all tod"
Another officer Of the company said that the
leaders had deceived the operators not only as to
the extent and of the strike, but also in re-
gard TO the funds of the association lie SAID that the
early boast that the Brotherhood had ~ 1000 in ITS
treasury was ~ baseess as the subsequent asser-
ton that the Knights OF Labor had raised 100000
for the relief OF the sirkers The lack of money
and nothing else. he SAID, let To the present sur
render which was, however. only question
of time. The strike could not have
succeeded, because the company had
decided that il would make compromise II II had
TO close ITS offices everywhere.
None Of the striking rnemen were taken back by
the company Yesterday. IL was said that their
places had been filled permanently. Justice Whlte,
In the IOmhs Police Court, required the striking
linrmen John Oliver aud Jane kourke who were
arrested for assaulung men who took their places
i'm the Western Union Company's employ, 70 give
bonds for their good behavior during the coming
six months. Both men secured the necessary
suTctes.