Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-08-14
THE LABOR QUESTION.
Master Workman Campbell Testifes
Before the senate COmmIttee-His
Opinion OF the situation.

New York, August I%.-The SubCOm-
mittee of the United States Senate Com
mittee on Labor and Education began its
session to day in the Postoitice building. The
members present are Senators Blair, of New
Hampshire, Chairman; George, OF Missis-
sippi: Pugh, of Alabama; Cell, of Florida,
and Aldrich of Rhode Island. The special
subject for investigation is strikes and
labor movements in general, the object be-
ing to obtain Information which may be
used in securing future legislation to pre-
vent them.
The first witness today was Master
Workman John Campbell, OF Pittsburgh.
After testifying at great length, Mr.. Camp
bell concluded as follows:
On the 9th OF July demands were pre-
sented 10 Western tnIon. American Rapid,
Baltimore d Ohio, the Commercial, and
mum 4 o IS telephone companies.
Only Answer Yet Received
is from the American Rapid Company,
uLic has partially acceded to the Ge'
mands Of the brotherhood. The answer
ui rnr Western Union Company to theap'
peal Of the operators was that 1t was not
known whether the committee hal an.
tholi,v to speak for the employees OF the
conrrany. Campbell said 30 per cent o.
the employees were members OF the
Brotherhood. The operators had frequently
presented grievances TO local managers iOf
an increase Of wages, but these had been
disregsrded. 1t is generally believed ihdt
the Western Union Company had well es
tabli.hed system Of black listing men who
msde application for an increase Of wages
and took the first opportunity to discharge
them on some pretext or another. Favor
itism was shown by all the local managers
skill was at Discount.
A system of intimidation was prscticed by
the officials of the company. Since 1870
several movements had been started to or.
ranize the operators but all failed on ac
count OF this system Of intimidation.
John McCleisn, an officer OF the Broth
erhood. and an operator OF fourteen years
experienCe, said the direct cause OF the
strike was an insult offered by the Western
Union Company TO the committee
of the Brotherhood in refusing to recognize
or treat with them. Until then il had not
been expected the strike would occur. But
il was thought the company would De will
ling 10 listen to the demands OF the men
and come to some adjustment II possible:
for the grievances were real ones, and II
there had been
Spirit OF Concession
manifested by the company, the operators
would bave met them in this spirit. 1t
was shown that General Eckert and other
officers of the company had known OF the
plans OF the Brotherhood before the striEe
begun, and the company knew that g1ev'
ances existed and that demands were 10 De
presented, and mas been preparing to resist
these demands ever since March.
II the present strike was
failure il would only strengthen the exist
ing organization instead of breaking its
power. When asked whether he could suS'
gest sny method oy which a more equitable
division could be made Of the products ot
labor and capital between employees ana
employed, McClellon said: This Wouia
be impossible" The inquiry will be con-
tinued TO morrow.