Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-08-03
SUITS OUT OF THE STRIKE
SUBJECT TO DELAY PROVES A
RED FLAG To c. E. TULLER.

The Damages Placed at SI5,OOO-The
! Magistrate Reserves His Decision-A
RumOr that General Eckert Has Re
signed-The Story Not Authenticated
and Discredited.
PHILADELPHIA. August 2.-The hear
ing of five civil suits, brought by c. f,
fuller, agent of the Chicago Meal Com
pany, against the Western Union Tele-
graph Company for refusal to accept mes
sages from him on July 25th, under the
ordinary conditions for the transmission
OF telegrams, took place this afternoon
before Magistrate List. The plaintiff
swore that he had presented at the offices
of the company messages for Cape
May, Atlantic City, Asbury Park.
Trenton and Chicago. These were
refused except upon condition
that they be subject to delay
or mailing. Mr.. Tuller declined to ac-
cept these conditions and refused TO send
the messages. The officer of the telegraph
company swOre that the plaintiff was in
formed that there would be no unusual
delay i'll sending his messages to Atlantic
City and Trenton. and Chief
Operator Clark swore thar
on the day named business was moving
with reasonable promptitude between
this city and all the points. mentioned.
sion to-day and held the suit under ad-
visement until next Wednesday. Mr..
fuller states that he will begin other suits
against the company and claim damages
in $4,000.
New YORK, August 2.-There seems to
be no change to-day in the attitude of the
western Union Company towards the
striking operators. The officers of the
company reported this morning that the
fOFpn trr
and that business was all cleaned
up last night, and is now moving
promptly. Four more of the strikers
returned to work this morning at the
Western Union office in tins CITY, They
are all said to be first-class operators.
The reports from the Eastern district
received by the company this morning
state that mnny operators were returning
to their posts each day and in most of the
offices the force is as large as before the
strike. In many cases it is reported that
members of the Brotherhood who desire to
resume work find their places occupied.
and are obliged to apply elsewhere.
From Superintendent Trabue, of the
Southern division, word came that
one of the operators at Chattanooga
and another at Mobile had returned TO
duty this morning, and that both ranked
as first class men. Reports had come
from various points in the South of rail
road operators refusing to take CONNER
cial business, but all had been promptly
discharged by the railroad superinten-
dents and their places readily filled, The
Western Union officials denied the truth
of the report started by the strikers that
the company were cutting their own wires
to have an excuse for delaying business.
At the headquarters of the Brotherhood
of Telegraphers it was said that there was
nothing new to-day regarding the strike,
and that the men were all satisfied with
the prospect and were confident of sue
ceeding III the end. The work of paving
OIL the men was continued to-day. The
strikers are in high glee over
the storm, as it was said
that much damage would probably
be done to the Western Union wires and
would create still greater confusion in
the affairs of the office. The reports Of
the discharge of railroad operators who
refused to take Western Union business.
and the substituting of new men to fiji
their places were discredited, and said To
be fiction of the telegraph companies to
encourage their hard worked employees.
A storm to-day did much damage to
Western Union wires along the coast
routes, interior circuits and in this city.
1t was reported that on Greenwich street
the wires were found bound together with
fine German silver wire, rendering several
circuits useless.
WASHINGTON, August 2.-The striking
telegraphers and the members of the local
trade associations held mass meeting at
FOrd's Opera House tonight. There was
considerable attendance and much
enthusiasm. The platform was occupied
by Master Workmen of various local
organizations of wOrkingmen.
I. V. POwderly, Grand Master Work
man, Of the knights of Labor, addressed
the meeting. Master Workman Shelby.
of the Telegraphers' Brotherhood. pre-
sided The address of the Grand Master
Workman dealt with the organization
and objects of the knights of Labor, He
sketched its growth and DEVELOPMENT.
and explained the PRINCIPAL blanks
in its constitution. During the meet
ing a dispatch was received and read
announcing the contemplated resignation
of General Eckert, of the Western Union
Telegraph Company. 1t was received
with eXuberant manifestation of delight.
A rumor has been set afoat here to-
night that General Manager Eckert, of the
Western Union, has resigned, but its
origin cannot be traced, and it is denied
by Press Agent SomeryilIe and generally
discredited. 1t is attributed to the Tele-
graphic Brotherhood in New York.
CITY OF MEXICO, July 2.-Tho tele-
graph operators on the Mexican National
Railroad struck this morning. They de-
mand an increase of $50 per month.
Trains are interrupted. A speedy arrange
ment is expected.