The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-07-19
THE TELEGRApHIC TROUBLE.
THE CONDITION OF APEAIns YES.
TERDAY.
Fcvcrish Feeling In Telegraph Circles over
the Threatened strike-Nieeting of the
Western Union Executive Committee.
[By telegraph 70 the nlsnatch.l

Nh" 'Vnh, vuil iO.-A 1cVcTlsD lecl1Dg
exists In telegraph circles over the threat
ened strike. Every person interested is
anxiously awaiting the result OF the meeting
OF the executive committee OF the Western
Union directors, which is to convene to-
Gay TO consider the demands OF the COM
mittee OF the Brotherhood OF Telegraph
Operators. What that result will be can
not yet be predicted.
The committee OF the Brotherhood had
a meeting early this morning, but what
TRANSFERRED then could not be learned.
Cipher dispatches were received by the
committee from various points that the
operators are in readiness TO leave their
desks at a moments notice. II was said
that every means would be taken to rem
der the strike general one, for in this
event only would it be successful.
WHAT PROMINENT WESTERN UNION OFFICIALS
SAY.
w. Il. Somervile, OF the Western Union,
said to-day that there seemed to be little
possibility that the company would grant
the request. and that the strike seemed 10
be inevitable. He said that the demands
were unjust and unreasonable, and il the
strike should happen, the company would
fight it to the bitter end.
| W 81. DCull, VI the
room Of the Western Union, said he did
not believe the strike would be commenced
without mature deliberation on the part OF
the operators. This morning there was an
unusually large force Mt work in the office,
numbering between 600 and 100, with only
nine absentees from the regular force. The
ordinary number OF abscntees was from
fifteen to twenty-five. He said he had at
least fifty letters from employees OF the
company promising to stand by it in the
event OF a strike.
WHO WILL STAND BY TIE COMPANY.
There were 90 chief operators IN the Of
| flee, each one having under him from Is to
| % men. This morning a canvass was made
by these chiefs among the operators to as
certain II possible the real strength Of the
disallected portions and how large a force
might be relied on i'm case OF Il strike. The
first report showed that ont OF q operators
II were doubtful, and 8 promised to stand
by the company. Later reports indicated
that this proportion represented division
OF feeling throughout the whole force.
| Wheatstone operators to man, Dealy
said, promised to stand by the company in
case OF a strike
! ACTION OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
At the regular weekly meeting OF the
Executive Committee OF the directors Of
Western Union Telegraph Company to-
day the following was adopted:
| ReSOlUed, That q committee, consisting
OF Ex-Governor Cornell, j. W. Clendenin,
and John T.. Terry, be appointed to in-
quire into the complaints Of the inequal-
| ties Of compensation and conditions Of scr
vice OF the employees OF this company, if
any, and report to this committee.
One Of the gentlemen who attended the
meeting SAYS the sentiment was unanimous
in support OF the action Of General Eckert
in his reception OF the committee who call
ed on him 10 present the memorial last
Monday, and that his letter TO Colonel
Clowry, OF Chicago, outlining the position
and resources OF the company and calling
attention to the eXorbitant demands OF that
committee, was likewise discussed and
warmly approved.
The meeting did not take cognizance. in
fact, OF the petition, since it was held that
whatever complaints employees OF the COM
pany might have to make must be made
directly by themselves to the company's
officers.
It was stated authoritatively tonight that
the Executive Committee OF the Western
Union Telegraph Company approved OF
the action OF General Eckert in his recep.s'
ton and treatment OF the Brotherhood
committee, particularly in asking fer list
OF the Western-UniOn employees. Ii was
also stated that the discussion OF the mat
ter by the Executive Committee showed
the fullest disposition to right any wrongs
or grievances Of employees that might exist.
The committee insisted, however, that
|
perly presented by the employees them
selves.
THE SUBCOMMITTEE TO REPORT NEXT WE'D
NESDAY.
The subcommittee is not empowered
except to make report next Wednesday,
when the full committee meets again. The
composition OF the committee, however, Is
of some interest as bearing on the temper
OF the meeting and its future action.
Mr.. Clendenin. one of the members, is
president OF the Acadia Coal Company,
which has extensive mines IN Picton, Ms.
The miners there have been turbulent
community. and have frequently INDUCED
in strikes. Mr.. Clendenin has always man
aged these crisises, and has never yielded
to the demands made through the medium
Of a strike.
Ex-Governor Cornell and Mr.. Terry are
also said TO be opposed to strike as
means Of settling wages difficulties.
THE BROTHERHOOD READY TO STRIKE.
member of the Brotherhood, who pre-
fessed to be familiar with the plans for the
strike. said: "If the Executive Committee
fails TO secure what has been asked OF the
companies, the division master-workmen
will declare strike to be begun at the
same hour in every Office in the United
states and Canada. A system Of commu
nication by cypher dispatches is perfect
We have each received hall months pay,
the brotherhood has $4,000 i'll bank, and
we have the treasury OF the Knights OF
Labor, with its 100000 members, to draw
ON if necessary"
DECLINES TO TALK.
ATLANTIC CITY, n. j., July 1S.-Robert
Garrett. of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail-
road Company, Is here, ana VIII meet The
delegation from the Telegraphers' Brother
6ood to-morroW. lie declines to talk on