The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-07-20
NEW YORK.
The Western Union Officials Experience
Less Trouble Than Expecied


graph room laid down their utensils and
started for the halls. Superintendent Hum.
stone, who was present said the number TO
leave was about what had been expected
from the reports made to the company In
the operating room were stationed several
policemen, and these, together with officials
who were present, asked 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 emotions.
The majority were hilarious, but there
were not wanting those whose
features bore traces of uncertainty and
fear for the future; many were thoughtful,
and evidently appreciated that the strike
might mean long weeks of idleness with
scanty salary. The general feeling was one
of confidence, however, and determination to
win was the watchword. As soon as the ad-
vance guard Of strikers seached the basement
the hundreds of curious people who were
there and in the street about the building
sent up brief shout, thus spreading the
news. In few minutes more the bulletin
plated and much-taked-of strike had begun
and was fully known at all news centers.
That it had been largely discounted in the
gossip of the past week did not prevent its
being received as sensation. At the general
Offices of the company there was unusual
activity and hustle, but no excitement the
officials being fully prepared for the strike
and informed of its extent There was
no disturbance on the Associated Press wires
which tap" Washington, Baltimore and
IL
those wires being manned by Associated
Press telegraphers, who have made no de-
mand and have no grievance. The general
sentiment of the operators and officials was
that the news of the country would be taken
care of, operators having only the kindest
feeling toward the press.
Shortly after the strikers went out, band
OF recruits, most of them ladies. entered the
building, and were ushered up to the operat-
ing room, where they were at once set to
work. 1t is expected that Others will be OBJ
tained during the day. Several operators
who remained expressed great surprise at
the large number that had gone out, and said
they thought the strike would be a success
full one.
A LETTER TO GENERAL ECKERT.
The executive committee of the Brother
hood, which has been in session this morn
ing, sent letter to General Eckert as follows:
son Monday, the 10th inst, a committee of
telegraph operators submitted to your con-
sderation a petition intrusted to them for
presentation to vou by the Brotherhood of
Telegraphers. You expressed your doubts
as to the authority of that committee to
speak for the employees of your company,
and have failed to respond to that petition.
Your letter to r. C. Clowry, your general
superintendent discloses to the public the
fact that you were informed OF the nature of
your employees grievances before they were
presented. Under ordinary circumstances it
would require but short time to arrive
at conclusion as to what
steps you would take; but knowing as we
did that the matter had been thoroughly dis
cussed long before we waited on you; it was
not unreasonable to expect an early reply.
1t is due to the interests you represent, to
our organization, and particularly to the gem
eral public, that these matters be speedily
adjusted, that the responsibility OF any fu-
ture action may rest where it proberly be-
longs
''It is with an earnest desire for harmo-
nious settlement of these difficulties and re-
gard for the social and business interests of
the people that we send this last appeal for
recognition of the rights and redress of the
grievances of your employees"
No reply wasreceived to this address, and
the committee, which met this morning at
11:30 o'clock, took no action upon it, There
were present at the meeting Ex-Governor
Cornell John T. Terry and ]. W. Clendenin
member of the committee. 1t was decided
only to hold. preliminary meeting this
morning. and, after short session, adjourn
ment was had. Nothing was doue except to
issue directions to all heads OF departments
and chiefs in the employ of the company to
notify operators under their charge to pre-
sent their grievances, if they had any, to the
committee, and that such action would
be taken rs might be Thought
proper. The committee expected to meet
again to morrow, but the summary action
on the part OF the employees
of the company may possibly
lead them to make some change in
their plans. The operators in the employ of
the American Rapid company left work at the
same hour that those in the Western Union
building struck. 1t is said that only half
dozen men remain in the office.
A STATEMENT FROM THE BROTHERHOOD.
The executive officers of the Brotherhood
OF Telegraphers have issued an official state
ment, which is called a "bill OF grievances.
In support of their claims they state that be-
tween the years 1870 and 1874, two general
reductions took place throughout the coun-
try, amounting to about twenty-five per
cent From 1874 TO 1877, local superi ntend-
ents and managers in order to curry favor
with the company We'd with each other in
economic suggestions. In 1873, the
executive officers seeing the
men submit so tamely to this
process, became bolder, and announced the
famous Tor infamous) sliding scale or general
reduction of from to % per cent. on all
employees. The Instrument had the quality
of sliding but one way (downward), and was
followed by many contemplate and under.
hand measures.
The seeming exorbitant demand in favor
OF the Wheatstone operators is explained as
follows: Twelve months ago number OF
experts were imported from England, with