New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-08-16

IA In reward Ia the origin Of the telegraphers
strike before the Senate subcommittee on Aaoo au
E6ueation at the Post ONCE building, YESTERDAY "
said that the western Union Telegraph Company was
-. -. On rocn,r,rr it, employees TO take iron-cad
oaths Tha nottery manufacturers OF East LVerpooi'
Ohio: the Hawks Nest Coal Company, OF AnsIeo' me''
Virginia the tobacco firm of Kimoah q TO-, oi hoo"e
ter w and large number OF shoe manufacturers IN
various parts OF the country
paeed those who entered tH0li
vice under similar restrictions Mr.. McCleand gave
statistics in regard the strikes which oconrreu ~
Europe from 1870 to 1880 within those ten years tero
were $50 strikes among the various trades Represented
in Great Britain and the Continent oi this huno,
only seyenty.one successful; lo3 were iOs'' %
were compromised, and the remaining 2'VVA "eie VI
accounted for. The total amount OF time lose W Wy
workmen through strikes o4162 days. Inc 'o'"-
amount of money lost to both employers and employees
was estimated TO be about 500 434750 Mr. hcCieland
aja that the statistics this country during the Same
perfod had not been collected. In speaking VI INC
number of strikes which had been unsuccessful ne sad
that the failure OF the worknen 10 gain the euS was
due in most instances to a lack OF funds.
Mr. McClenand thought that If the demands OF tne
grotaerhocd should be granted by the Western Union
fine stock of that company would experience decline in
value He was OF the opinion that the Government alone
should own control the telegraph ana railway hhes
throu the country. On being fGrther quesuoueu
by Senator Blair Mr. MeCeland said that ne woua not
service but would extend it to all the great industries
of the country This would necessitate change In the
general policy the Government and perhaps involve
the reconstruction OF the whole labor system ITO
argued that capitalists shoud receive 10 income from
their investments until the demands OF their employees
had been fully satisfied. The iDordinate greed ana
penurious policy of the great corporations
were the sources OF all labor troubles.
When asked If his views wero shared by
the majority OF the strikers. Mr. MoClelland, after
hesitatDg moment, said he could not tell
INDIVIDUAL GRIEVANCES OF OPERATORS.
Master Workman JOHN Mitchell said that be entered
the employment OF the Western Union one year ago NJ
salary of $s5 month AT the end OF the hrst month ms
voucher made out for $50 He complained 10 tne
manager told that his would be considered
No attention was paid to his grievance, although ne
brought 1t to attention OF the officials on several oc-
casons This he asserted, the usual policy OF the
Western Union
Patrick j. Ternan operator, said that the longer
man remained in the employ Of the Western Union the
less was the probability Of an advance his wages He
then cited his for an example When seventeen
years old he employed In the ONCE In Omaha at
salary OF s1oo per %1n IN the IN main ooe for $50
month which amount afterward Increased 70 500
best Operators This increase was due the efforts
made by the American Union Telegraph COMPANY 70
entice its service the best talent employed ny inc
Alfred H. Seymour formerly manager of the operating
room OF the MUTUAL lcicBrhPu NOUPaty, ~
thirty years telegraph operator tie next witness
He considered 300 month fair eOmpen-
sation for a hrsi-class operator The Western
Union he thought could afford to raise
the wages OF it's employees Is per cent ana
still pay good dividend. In speaking OF
the small number Of operators who succeeded in saving
who had saved 81 900 Telegraph operators are always
ON exhibition for this they live ard dress bet
ter than LeJ probably would under ordinary circun-
,,.N.
Chares LEM editor OF Capital aud Labor. said that
the Socialistic Labor Party America had member.
ship OF over 5000, headquarters In Chicago ana
Ney-York. He wished tie committee 10 understand
that II was not a communistio organization. Members
of the latter society believe that there should
be no government whatever Members of tue SOcalstc
Labor Party believe in government they also maintain
that all machinery shoud be under the control OF LABOR or
tradeunions eac receive wages according TO the
amount of work he performs. Communism, ne inaln-
tained was dying ont In America. The day was soon
comiug he said when the aoOrng classes IN THIS country
would be felt politics aad In social ars 70 degree
never dreamed of ny the must VISIONARY OF
political economists.