The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-07-17
Shorter Hours of Labor Requested and a
General Increase OF Fifteen Per Cent,
in Salaries Demanded,
No Time Set for a Reply, and Nc
phreats Indulged In.
Western Union Officials Decline to Recog
nize the Committee Unless "A List of
Employees LIS Presented.
AT NEW YORK.


The Demand of the Operators Presented to
General Eckert
New YORK, July 16.-A committee from
the telegraphers' organization, composed Of
seven members, from different cities, called
on General Eckert about 10 o'clock to-day,
and presented letter requesting a general
increase of 10 per cent. in salaries of operat-
ors, and slight reduction in their hours of
work, and requested that reply be returned
as early as convenient. No time was stpu-
lated and no threats were made.
When the committee presented the me-
mortal they were asked if they represented
employees of the Western Union Company.
They answered "yes;" but upon ex xamining
the papers the officers found no list CT em-
ployes. The committee said they could not
furnish such list as it would take time to
prepare it, and they were here under ex-
pense. They were told that the company
did not recognize the committee, and would
expect list of such of its employees as de-
sired to be represented by the committee.
tits understood that this list is being pre-
pared.
The memorial presented is as follows:
CENTRAL OFFICE BROTHERHOOD OF TELE-l
A.
Thomas T, Eckert, Esq, General Manager and Act
ing President of the Western Union Telegraph
Sir-The undersigned executive board of the =
brotherhood of Telegraphers of the United
states aud Canada, acting in accordance with
the instructions of That body, respectfully petit
tlon your favorable consideration of the follow
Ing memorial embOdying the desire of all classes
employed in the service OF the Western Union
Telegraph Company:
Believing that mans physical and mental
welfare requires that at least day in seven
be accorded him for rest and recreation, we re-
quest the total abolition of Sunday work, as
compulsory duty, unless compen sated as extra
service.
second--That eight hours shall constitute q
days work, and seven hours nights WORK.
Thlrd-Both sexes shall receive equal pay for
equal work.
Fourth-That universal increase of l5 per
cent ON all salaries now paid be granted
LINEMEN's INTERESTS.
First-That eight hours shall constitute reg.
ular days work, and that compensation at the
rate of two day pay be allowed for all Sunday
work that the lowest salary paid regular line
men shall be 500 per month, and for helpers
500; that the duties of lnemen be confined
solely to their legitimate work.
wHEATsToNE INTERESTS.
First-That the salaries of first-class Wheat
stone operators be increased to S75 per month";
ana secOnd-class operators to $50 per month";
and that they receive in addition the Is per
cent. increase asked for Morse operators.
SecOnd-That the working hours of WheatstOne
operators be the same as Morse operators.
reply at the earliest possible moment is
EUGENE J. O'CONNOR, Chairman,
MORTIMER ID, SHAW, Secretary.
JOHN CAMPBELL, I
ROBERT EWING,
HARRY W. ORR, Executive
ROGER j. MULLEN, Board.
JOSEPH II. FORD,
MANHATTAN HOTEL, Corner Broadway and Canal
streets, New York City, Monday, July l6. $50.
A similar memorial and petition will be
presented to the Baltimore & Ohio Telegraph
Company at Baltimore and to the Rapid
Telegraph Company, of this city.
THE CoMPANY's PROPOSITION.
On Wednesday last the Western Union
company issued the following notice:
At all independent Western Union offices
which may be required to keep open all day on
Sunday. nine hours actual service in the day,
six days in the week, and hours-actual
service at night, seven nights in the week, Will
constitute the days work. All service in excess
OF the above named hours, including Sunday.
will be regarded as extra, and be paid for at the
regular salary, on the basis of seven hours to
o day