Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-07-19
THE WIRES STILL LADEN.
IN THE ABSENCE OF A REPLY
THE STRIKE DELAYED.


THE STRIKE DELAYED.
Sub Committee of Three Appointe,I tn
Make Inquiries by the Western Union
Executive COmmittee-A Compromise
Not ImprObable-The Business World
Still i'm Anxious Suspense.
NEW YORK, July Is, 10 A. MA fever
ish feeling exists in telegraphic circles
over the threatened strike. Every person
Interested is anXiOusly awaiting the result
OF the meeting of the Executive Commit
tee of the Western Union directors, which
is to convene to-day to consider the de-
mands of the committee of the Brother
hood of Telegraphers. What that result
Will be cannot yet be predicted The
committee of the Brotherhood held a meet
ing early this morning, but what trans
plred then could not be learned. Cipher
dispatches were received by the commit
tee from various points that the operators
are IN readiness to leave their desks at a
moments notice. 1t was said that every
means would be taken to render the strike
ageneral one, for in this event only would
1t be successful.
W. B. SOmerville, of the Western Union
Company, said to-day that there seemed
to be little possibility that the company
would grant the request and that the
strike seemed to be inevitable. The de-
mands, he said, were unjust and unrea-
sonable, and If a strike should happen the
company would fight it to the bitter end.
W. j. DealY, manager of the operating
room of the Western Union Companv's
central office in this city, said that he did
not believe that strike would be COM
menced without mature deliberatiOn on
the part OF the operators. This morning
there was an unusually large force at
work IN the office, numbering between
600 and 700, with only nine absentees
from the regular force. The ordinary
number of absentees was from 15 to 25.
Mr.. Dealy also said that he had at least
% letters from employees of the company
promising to stand by it in the event of
strike. There were % chief operators
In the office, each one having under him
from Is to % men. This morning can
vass was made by these chiefs among the
operators, to ascertain, if possible the
real strength Of the disaffected portion
and how large a force might be relied on
in case of strike. The first report
showed that out of u operators u were
doubtful and promised to stand by the
company. Later reports indicated that
TINS proportion represented the division of
feeling throughout the whole force. The
WheatStOne operators, to a man, Mr..
pany i'll case Of a strike.
NEW YORK, July Is, 1880 P. M.-At
the regular weekly meeting of the EXecu-
tive Committee of the directors of the
Western Union Telegraph Company to-
day the following was adopted:
ReSOtred, That a committee, consisting
of Ex-Governor Cornell, j. w. Clendenin
and John L. Terry, be appointed to inquire
INTO the complaints of inequalities of COM
pensatiOn and condition Of service of the
employees of this company, if any, and
report to this committee.
One of the gentlemen who attended the
meeting says that the sentiment was
unanimous in support of the action of Gen.
Eckert in his reception of the committee
who called on him to present the memo
rial last Monday, and that his letter to
Col: Clowry, Of Chicago, outlining the
position and resources of the company,
and calling attention to the eXorbitant
demands of that committee, was likewise
discussed and warmly approved. The |
meeting did not take cOgniZance in the !
fact of the petition since it was held that !
whatever complaints the employees of the |
company might have to make, must be |
made directly by themselves to the COM
pany'S officers.
The subcommittee is not empowered. |
They expect to make their report next !
Wednesday, when the full committee
meets again. The composition of the |
committee, however, is of the same inter- |
est as the one bearing on the temper of |
the meeting and its future action.
Mr.. Clendenin, one of the members, is |
President of the Acadia Coal Company, |
which has extensive mines in PictOu, |
\. 5. The miners there have been a |
turbulent community and have frequently |
indulge in strikes. Mr.. Clendenin has |
always managed these crises, and has |
never yielded to the demands made |
through the medium of strike. EX- |
Governor Cornell and Mr.. Terry are also |
said to be opposed to strikes as a means |
of settling wages difficulties.
1t was stated authOritatively tonight |
that the Executive Committee of the |
Western Union Telegraph Company had |
approved the action Of Gen. Eckert in his /
reception and the treatment of the Broth |
erhOOd committee, particularly in asking |
for list of the Western Union employees |
the committee represented and their |
authority for such representation. 1t |
was also stated that the discussion of the /
matter by the EXective Committee showed |
the fullest disposition to right any wrongs |
or grievances of the employees that |
might exist. The committee insisted, |
however, that the complaints and petit
tiOns should be properly presented by the |
employees themselves.
ST. LOUIS, July Is, 10A. M.-The men,
bels of the Brotherhood of Telegraphers
asserted last night that unless the West
ern Union Company replied favOrably |
before noon to-day, to the memorial pre-
sented to General Manager Eckert on
Monday, the Executive Committee will
order a strike and that at II o'clock sharp,
New York time, every member of the |
BrOtherhOOdin the country will stop work |
and quietly abandon his post. The tele-
graph officials don't seem to be worried |
about the matter.
ATLANTIC CITY, y. j., July 1S.-Robert |
Garrett, of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail-
road Company, is here, and will meet a
delegation from the Telegraphers' Broth
erhOOd tomorrow. He declines to talk on
the subject tonight.
The TelephOnists Strike.
CHICAGO, July 1S.-The linemen Of the