The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1883-07-27
LIGHTNING STRIKERS.
About Eight Thousand Members of the
Brotherhood of Photographers Forsake
Their Instruments-The Strike General
Throughout the Country.

About Eight Thousand Members of the
brotherhood of Telegraphers Forsake
Their Tnstruments-The Strike General
Throughout the Country.
NEW YORK, July TO-
The telegraph operators here have struck.
AT precisely twelve o'clock yesterday, Wash
ington time, several hundred operators in
the Western Union Telegraph room laid
down their utensils and started for
the halls. Superintendent Humstone, who
was present, said the number
to leave was about what had been expected
from the reports made to the company. In
the operating rooms were stationed several
policemen, and these, together with the of
ficials who were present, asked the strikers
to move out as rapidly as possible,
and to leave the building. The
operators who remained at their
keys did very little work at first, and
were interested spectators. Long lines
OF operators were soon filing down stairs.
On their faces were depicted various emo
tons. The majority were hilarious, but
there were not wanting those whose feat
ures bore traces OF uncertainty and fears
for the future. Many We're thoughtful
and evidently appreciated that the strike
might mean long weeks of idleness, with
was one of confidence, however, and
determination to win was the catch-word.
AS soon as the advance guard of strikers
reached the basement, the hundreds of curl
Gus people, who were there and in the
street about the building, sent up shout,
thus spreading the news. In few
minutes more bulletin board
posted the facts, and the long. con-
templated and much talked of strike
had begun, and was fully known at all news
centers. There was no disturbance on the
Associated Press wires, which tap Wash
ington, Baltimore and Philadelphia with
their tributary territory, those wires being
manned by Associated Press telegraphers,
who have made no demand and have no
grievance.
CHICAGO, July 20.
The great strike of telegraph operators
was inaugurated in Chicago at II :05 yester-
day. The majority of the operators at the
Western Union, Mutual Union, and Balti-
more & Ohio companies left their desks in
very orderly manner, and were received by
crowds of spectators in the streets with
cheers as they marched along. A good many
of the lady operators joined the strike. The
strikers repaired to Uhlich's Hall, where
they went into secret session. The chief
operating rooms and managed to keep bust
ness going. A large number Of the officials
clerks are telegrapherS and were at once as
signed to the operating rooms, and score
or more of men from country offices were
taken in to fill the places of the strikers.
Simultaneously with the marching out of
the Western Union men the operators on the
Board of Trade floor quit their instruments
and went out on the street to greet their fell
low strikers. The Baltimore d Ohio office
was also deserted at the same moment
BY twelve o'clock communication was re-
established with Boston, New York, Phila-
delphia, Toronto, Baltimore, Minneapolis,
ST. Paul, Milwaukee, indianapolis, Cincin-
natl, Omaha, and St. Louis, which points
are the most important telegraphic centers.
1t is understood more men are left in Chi
cago than in offices east of here. Almost
none remained in New York. Pittsburgh
had ten at noon, Philadelphia seventeen,
Cincinnati twelve, and Omaha sixteen. The
Chicago sc. N. D.'s'' Commercial news de-
| partment reports) were being sent hence on
four wires, which will acquafnt outside
boards of trade with the condition of Chi
cago markets in fair shape.
The Executive Committee of the Brother
hood Of Telegraphers is composed of the
following: Eugene j. O'Connor, of Boston;
Roger j. Mullin, of Toronto; Mortimer d.
Shaw, of st. Louis; John Campbell, of
Pittsburgh, and Samuel Ford, of Nashville.
WASHINGTON, July 20.
In this city twelve operators are at work
instead of fourteen, the regular number.
Nine of the day force worked through Thurs
day, and it is understood five of these prom
| ised to return to work to-day. Twenty men
are employed during the day. At the
American Rapid office the manager and
one operator remain on duty and six have
! struck.
| The present action OF operators has been
| discussed in their local lodges since last Oc-
| tober. At the convention each delegate had
bill of grievances from his local 6rganiza-
| ton, from which the document presented to
the company was made. This document
was afterward ratified by all local organiza-
lions.
CINCINNATI, July 20.
The telegraphers' strike in the main of
fee of the Western Union Company here oc-
Cured at II 80 yesterday At that hour
the Local Chief of the Brotherhood gave the
signal, three raps on the desk. The signal
| was obeyed by all members of the Brother
hood rising and going Immediately out.
There was no confusion, and no excitement.
force remained at their desks. Other oper-
ators will soon be put on
At the main office of the Baltimore &
Ohio every operator went out, and business
| is wholly suspended. The same happened
at the main office of the Mutual Union.
On 'Change no messages were received or
sent by either of the three companies hav-
ing offices there. At the Western Union
Office guard was Immediately placed to
prevent outsiders entering the operating
room. All operators about the Office were
sent to duty upstairs.
PITTSBURGH, Pa, July 20.
The telegraphers' strike was inaugurated
at II AT Thursday morning. At that hour,
at given signal, every member Of the
Brotherhood quit work, and, coming out of
the several offices, formed procession, and
marched to their headquarters. where a
meeting was held.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, July 20.
Promptly on receiving the signal, viz:
"General Grant droppe dead" two-thirdS
of the operators inthe Western Union Office
left their desks. There are now eighteen
frst-class operators ON duty and the ranks
are filling up rapidly.
LOUISVILLE, KY, July 20.
The telegraph operators here all struck at
| twelve o'clock Thursday, Washington time.
The Baltimore & Ohio Office is deserted.
Of over thirty IN the Western Union, only
four remained, but five additional have al
ready been secured, and more will come.
The Western Union say they will transact
all the necessary business.
CLEVELAND, o., July 20.
At nineteen minutes before noon all the
Western Union operators, except five, left
| their keys and struck. The Western Union
is steadily filling vacancies at operating
tables, accepting all business as presented,
and expects to be in usual working condi-
| ton in twenty-four hours. The American
Rapid Office is closed to business. The
Mutual Union force is not affected.
fe ST. LOUIS, Mo-, July 20.
Fifty-four of the seyenty-five operators of
| the day force on duty in the Western I'm
| ion left their instruments promptly at twelve
| o'clock Thursday, Washington time. The
force now in the Office numbers about fifty,
and business is moving with reasonable ce-
lerity.
DETROIT, July 20
The majority of the telegraph operators
of the Western Union Office in this city al
1880 Thursday morning left their desks.
| A small force remained, which are dispos.
| ing of the business in the best manner pos
| sible under the circumstances.
OMAHA, Neb July 20.
Only slight disturbance will be caused