The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1883-07-19

tflt Ittt W tHt ItNtTht
the case, for operators declining 10 Join n
league have been interfered with In the
duties, and the wires have been thrown OF
Of working condition, and In numerot
cases the official messages OF the compaD
have been mutilated and seriousJ
delayed. A strike of the American Dlstrit
Telegraph. .company's linemen, members
the league. took place In this city recently
since which time the strikers have been eI
gagged In cutting wires daily. one man no,
being under arrest and indictment for sue
lawless work. With thousands OF able
bodied men out of employment all over th
country, many of them applying to us 70
work, such demand Is remarkable
1t is known that large pro
been led to oin n ths UpffssS leasse unde nds
compulsion and under the belief that tn
organization was cooperative society TO
legitimate and benevolent purposes man,
OF whom have stated that they will repudi
ate any arbitrary action of the striking ele
ment.
[SignedJ r G. CLowRY,
Superintendent.
The operators wrote on the board at tht
Merchants Exchange the following verse
"Strike till the last armed foe expires,
Till Bears and Bulls. sellers and buyers,
Learn the rights Of those who work the wires
Take notice all that fr IN this date
We are resigned to any fate"
In conversation with q HERALD re
porter Mr.. Baker, superintendent of the
OF the office here, remarked that he re-
gretted the strike, though 30 far as loca
be affected by it as the office was
prepared to handle all matter of local ma.
ture. Eleven of the nineteen operators
who were members of the brotherhood had
abandoned the office, but he ielt con fident
with what operators he could pick up, that
all the business OF the Office would be
transacted fully as heretofore. He said that
so far as he had heard the company had
succeeded in picking up men
many of whom were never
of being operators. The
operators who struck, he said, were good
workmen and gentlemen in their deport-
ment, but there were some who owed their
education to this branch office
of the Western Union. The men, so far as
be knew, had no complaint against the Of
fee, but struck simply because
they were members of the brotherhood.
Mr.. Baker was of the opinion that yester-
day would be the worst day of the strike.
HI stated that he had just received tele-
gram from General Eckert, announcing
that they were comfortsbe in the east and
had $50 in the New York office, with re-
cruits coming in eyond expectation. Other
recruits are coming in at different points
and business is fully up.
The strike, which is universal over the
United States and Canada and promises,
from indications, to be stubborn fight on
both sides.
HISTORY OF THE ORGANIZATION.
For many years there had been number
Of organizations among telegraph op-
orators, but none were of sufficient magni-
tude to extend their influence over any con-
distance beyond the locality OF its
institution. At the time ofthe great strike,
in 1871, the several societies which then ex-
isted were acting independently, and to
that movement. The operators were so
routed in that struggle that
their organizations disbanded. and years
passed before another attempt was made to
organize. The first attempt recently
made to form an organization Of operators
had its origin in New York city. 1t was
brought about by hardships, which to a
limited extent were remedied shortly after
the new organization was perfected. The
however, only applied to that
city, but the advantages obtained by the
New Workers soon became generally
known, and it was not long before every
large city in the United States had local
union. These bodies were known by yari-
ous names, such as the brotherhood Of
the photographers Protec-
ton League" and "Telegraphers' Onion" "
all Of which merged into the Brotherhood" F"
The situation at Various Points.
New YORK, July 10 The executive COM
mittee of the brotherhood Of telegraphers
IN their paper issued to-day, publish an
official statement which justifies their petit
ton for increased pay, and assaults the tel
egraph companies for reducing their sala-
ries and refusing to raise them again. At
precisely 2 o'clock, Washington reckoning,
several hundred operators In the Western
Union telegraph room stopped work
and started for the halls, Superin-
tendent Humstone, who was present,
about what had been expected from re-
ports made to the company. In the oper-
ating room were stationed several police
men, and these together with the officials,
who were present, asked the strikers to
move out as rapidly as possible, and to
leave the building. The operators who
we're faithful to the company and remained
at their keys did very little work at first,
ard were interested spectators. Long lines
Of operators were soon filing down the
stairs with various emotions depicted on
their faces. The majority were hilarious,
but those were not wanting whose features
bore the trace of uncertainty and fear for
he future. Many were Thought
Iui and evidently appreciated that
the strike might mean long
weeks OF idleuess, With sCanLy Income. The
general feeling was one Of confidence, how
ever, and determination 10 win, the watch
word. As soon as the advance guard OF the
strikers reached the basement hundreds OF
curious people, who were there and In the
street abost the bnilding. sent up briei
shout, thus spreading the news, and IN
few minutes more bulletin boards posted
The facts that the long contemplated and
much talked OF strike had begun, and IL was
fully known at all news centres. That IL
had been largely discussed in the gossip OF
The past week did not prevent its being re-
,eiyed as sensation. At the gen.
eral offices OF the company there
was unusual activity and bus
lie, but no excitement, the officials
being fully prepared for the strike and in
Tormed Of Its extent. No doubt was ex:
pressed that IL would extend to all principal
points. There was no disturbance on the
associated press wires which tap Washing.
on, Baltimore and Philadelphia with their
tributary territory, those wires being
nanped by the associated press telegraph
srs. who have made no demand and have
no grievance. The general sentiment OF the
operators and officials was that the news Of
he country would be taken care OF, opera
.ors having only the kindest feelings toward
Lhe press.
BosroN, July l9.-All operators here but
Lgo have struck, The women operators
have also gone out. But four out Of twen-
ty-five being left.
BUFFALO. N. L. July 19.-li A. N.-There
has As yet been no action on the part OF TIE
Western Union. Operators are at their
posts, and they will say nothing regard
|ne the intentions Of their body.
ATLANTIC CRY. July 19.-RObert Garrett,
,f the Baltimore q Ohio railway company,
EFF here by special car at O'Clock this
He had no conferences
with the committee Of telegraph opera
tors who were 10 have arrived
here last night. having missed connection
Of the trains. Garrett then telegraDhed that