Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-07-21
THE STRIKE AT oTn.R POINTS.

ing. There was the usual activity at the
receiving windows, but none OF the strikers
appeared either in the basement or operating
rooms The executive department met
early on the gfonnd, and was full OF business.
Not small part of their occupation was the
reading OF congratulatory and encouraging
telegrsms from various offices and superin-
tendents of the company.
The striking linemen held a meet.
ing this morning. 1t is stated that
there were about 400 linemen in
this city and vicinity, all of whom are ON a
strike. The telegraph companies, it was
said, were badly crippled, and that the
Western Union brought into the city twenty
two linemen from the country districts.
These men were met on their arrival by the
strikers, and persu AIDED 10 attend the strikers
meeting, where they were initiated in the
organization. 1t was stated that word had
been received from Chicago that 275 line
men there had gone out. The linemen at
tended the elegrapbers' meeting. At the lat
ters gathering, it was stated that reports
have been received from scouts who had
been watching the effects of the strike on the
Western Union Office. 1t was claimed that
they had but six good operators, and these
were being worked day and night; all of the
city offices were reported to be closed, and
reports from other cities showed that the sit-
uaiion was everywhere Just the same. II
wss the general opinion of the strikers that
1t would last few days, and that the COM
pany would then be obliged to concede
everything. The telegraphers' meeting was
largely increased by operators who had
come here to confer with the strikers. A
committee was appointed 10 devise system
for the disbursement Of the Brotherhood
funds 10 the needy. The disposition seemed
10 be that nothing short Of complete CON
cession by the company OF their demands
would be accepted.
At lh- Western Union Office a force OF
about l50 men we're at work. Apparently
about one half the desks. were occupied. Su-
perintendent Desly said the outlook was
very encouraging, the decks being gradually
filed by new hands They had full force,
though not the regular number OF operators.
OF The ladies, seventy-fve of the regular
force of 130 had mained faithful, and they
had succeeded in obtaining about thirty five
recruits. About one-fourth of the men were
with them, and their wires were all working
clear, with the exception OF Eastern and OF
Southern points, where there wss still some
delay. Communication with Brooklyn was
found 10 be cut, the trouble being with the
cables running over the bridge, and they ex-
pected to be able to do all business brought
to Ihen to-day with difficulty. Some OF the
new operators were frst-ciass men, and many
of than ware old opsrssoEa AID had not reen
in the business for several years. The chief
of the cable service reports. no delay what
ever there and everything is working we'll
w. B. Somerville said it was not true that
any of the chief operators had goIe ont; that
every one of the twenty-five remained at bi:
pest. The following city offices, he said
were reopeDed this morning: Fifth Avenue
Hotel, Harlem, Manhattan, Beaver street.
Windsor Hotel, general postofice, Grand
Central Depot, Carminsvile, Sock, Cotton
Produce and Msrilime Exchanges, and al
some other points.
1t is expected that more Offices will be
opened during the day for the accomm da,
tion of the public. The subcommittee is in
session to-day, but nothing has been don't
that would be divulged. Somerville stated
positively that the company would not yield
hut would fight it out 10 the bitter end.
Erastus Wymsn, one of the Western
Union directors and president of the Grea
Northwestern Company, which controls nesr
ly all the CanadIan lines, said go far as tn,
Canadian lines were concerned they coulc
not make sny compromise OF concession
TO the strikers, and it was simply al
impossibility 10 increase their compeu
sation. This was because Parlismen
regulated the rate at which messages wey,
sent there. Only twelve officers we're pait
salaries, and thsse were in { large cities
All their other employees worked on commits
sion. They employed about 5000, snd only
hall OF these were on the strike. The onl]
reason they struck was becausv-.bey wer,
ordered to strike. He thought from what b.
had seen that the strike would not be suc
cessful.
Jay Gould said they did not propose t,
recognize any committee from the Brother
hood, and that # the employees Of the con
| psBy persist in this action they would no
themselves, and they would see that befor
| long.
At the Office OF the American Rapid Com
pany it vas said forty operators were now a
| work, or about one-thIfd OF the usual f rec
The superintendent said new hands Yef,
being gradually obtained, and with the au
! tomatic Instruments at work no delay wa
experienced.
The Baltimore aud Oaio Commercial T.
egraph Company was visited. Msnsge
| Fitch said the company was taking messages
subj sct TO delay, for all points except 81
L uis and Louisville, where business wa
proceeding as usual.
| 10 the Western Union Office the notice tha
| all messages wers received subject 10 della.
or mailing an route still mains posted.
The telegraph Offices at the Stock EI
chsn e were 10 operation this moroiug, au
the brokers say tbat no taconvenience a
| yet resulted from the strike on account OF de
| lay. All their messages, ss a general rule
have been sent promptly, and replies receive
/ in good time.
| The Western Union Company to-day ser
| two operators to Boston and one 70 Harlfor
and Newark, where the force Is badly Grip
Piled, and the operators OF the Gold an
Stock Telegraph Company, at meeting tc
| dav, determined TO resign II called on
| serve the Western Uhion Company.
At the Produce Exchange the effect OF th
strike was more seriously felt. In const
auence of the reduction OF the force of or
4 orators the quotations received from Chic .g
! aad other Western points were meager. Th
P .stal Telegraph Company has put in som
Of its wires, and rendered considerable hell
Business, however, was unusually dull.
Business at the Cotton Exchange has sls
fallen of in consequence of the strike. &:
ports from ihe South arrive slowly, an
there is great deal oil delay in getlin
quotations.
A meeting of the striking teIegra pliers wa
held in Csledonia H all this sfteruoon. Owe
1000 persons we're present, including 400 o
the striking linemen. Jno McDill presldet
aud kilograms were received from diferen
assemblies warning them to put no faith
ne xspsper reports; that the RANKS OF th
Brotherhood rem ain solid. A delegation {
the Executive Committee of the Knights {
Labor were present and resolutions, whic
had been adopted at recent meeting, el
pressing sympathy With the present peetin
aud promising aid, were read. The striker
show the greatest unanimiiy OF seniim I
throughout, and it was generally believe
that the companies would soon come
terms II was reported that the elevate
railroad telegraphers would Join the strike
tomorrow.
The Western Union Executive Commits
to-day issued an order offering reward {
$500 for the "arrest ard conviction of any pc
son uplawiully or maliciously ipjdring, m
Testing or Destroying any Of the propert.
iines, posts, wires or cables Of this compan
or in any way obstruc,ing or interfering wi
the sending of its messages by injury to
! interierence with the wir, s, batteries, curTen
or ;ns,run, -nis on lines OF this COMPANY"
At Philadelphia.
PHILADELPHIA, July 2p-There is
change ia the telegraph eiiustion mere. !