The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-07-17
THE NEWS AT HOME.
WHAT THE WIRES BRING US.
The Telegraph Opcrator..

| THEY SUBMIT DEMAND FOR FIFTEEN pm
| CENT. MORE WAGES AND A REDUCTION OF
| WORKING HOURS.
Try telegraph to the Dispatch.I
| NEW YORK, July 16.-At 40 O'Clock this
afternoon committee representing the
League OF American Telegraph Operators
visited the Western Union building, and
were received by General Eckert, acting
president. The committee numbered
seven, and included members from New
Orleans, louisville. st. Louis, Pittsburgh,
and Chicago. IL Is said that no
representative from New York was
TO be found in the committee. After
being cordially received by General Eckert,
the chairman OF the committee stated the
object OF their mission, and presented q
| briefly-written address TO the officers OF
the company signed by the members OF the
committee. In il they ask that the COM
pany grant to operators throughout the
country general increase OF Is per cent.
for their services. They also ask for a re-
duct0n in the hours OF their work. The
petition closes with request that reply
be given at the earliest possible moment.
General Eckert then requested the com.
mttee to furnish him with full list OF the
half they appear. This the committee
agreed TO do, and shortly afterwards with
drew. No remarks were interchanged be-
tween officials Of the Western Union Com
pany and the committee beyond those in
cideDt to the presentation OF the petition
referred to. IL is understood that some
time will be required by General Eckert.
1t is further stated that there is not
the slightest likelihood Of the de-
mand for ID per cent. being COM
piled with. Whether either side will
be prepared to compromise has not yet
been determined. Meanwhile the entire
force OF operators in this city continue ut
work, and reports from all parts Of the
country indicate similar condition OF az
fairs in all other cities.
General Eckert and various officers OF
the company held conference Immediately
after the visit OF the committee, and repre-
sentatives OF the press were unable to Sc
cure an audience with any OF the numerous
officials OF the company, who were under
stood 10 be discussing the course OF action
regarding tho demand OF the operators.
SIMILAR ACTION on PART OF THE BALTIMORE
AND OHIO OPERATORS.
BALTIMORE, July ia committee OF
three, representing the Photographers Bro
therhood, called to-day at the office OF the
Baltimore and Ohio Telegraph Company,
and were received by Mr.. Stewart, super.
intendent OF the company. The committee
presented to Mr.. Stewart paper or address
similar to that presented TO General Eckert,
OF the Western Union Company, in New
York to-day, asking an increase OF pay and
reduction in the hours OF work, &c. The
l 4 4 L. 10, Io.I e,
y. Frick. general manager OF the Baltimore
and Ohio Telegraph Company, and the
committee were informed the matter would
be given deliberate and respectful conside-
ration and an answer returned.
When the committee presented the me-
mortal they were asked il they represented
the employees Of the Western Union Com
pany. They answered "Yes"; but upon
examining the paper the officers found no
list OF employees. The committee said they
could not furnish such list, as it would
take time to prepare it, and they were here
under expense. They were told the COM
pany did not recognize the committee, and
would expect q list Of such OF its en-
ployes as desired to be represented by
the committee. it is understood that this
list is being prepared.
The memorial is as follows:
CENTRAL OFFICE,
BROTHERHOOD OF TELEGRAPHERS
OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA.
Thomas T. Eckert, Esq, General Manager
and Acting President Of the Western
Union Telegraph Company Nelo POrh;
City:
Sir,-The undersigned, Executive Board
Of the Brotherhood OF Photographers Of the
United States and Canada, acting in accord
ance with instructions from that body, re-
specially petition your favorable consider
alton OF the following memorial, embodying
the desires OF all classes OF employees in
the service OF the Western Union Tele-
graph Company:
Section l. Believing that mans physical
and mental welfare requires that ut least
one day in seven be accorded him for rest
and recreation, we request the total aboli-
ton OF sunday work as a compulsory
duty, unless compensated as extra service.
Section 2. That eight hours shall cOnsti-
tute days work, and seven hours a
nights work.
Section 3. Both sexes shall receive equal
pay for equal work.
Section 4. That universal increase Of
II per cent. on all salaries now paid be
granted.
Linesmen's interests:
Section 1. That eight hours shall cOnsti-
tute a regular days work, and that COM
pensation at the rate OF two-days' pay be
allowed for all Sunday work: that the low
est salary paid regular lineman shall be
S65 per month, and for helpers $50; that
the duties OF linemen be confined solely to
their legitimate work.
WheatstOne interests:
Section l. That salaries OF tirst-class
Wheatstone operators be increased to S75
per month, and second-cass operators to
$50 per month, and that they receive in
addition the 10 per cent. increase asked for
the Morse operators.
Section 2. That the working hours Of
Wheatstone operators be the same as the