The Portland daily press., 1883-07-21
THE STRIKE.
Bo.h Sides Resolved Not to Yield.
The Telegraphic Service Somewhat I'm
proved Yesterday.

Ts
linemen held meeting this morning. IL waF
stated that there were about 400 llnemen III lhis
city and vicinity, all of whom we're on strike
The telegraph companies, it was said, were TO-
day crippled, and last night the Western Union
brought into the city gang OF twehtS-two
linemen from the country district. TLese were
met on their arrival by the strikers ana pet
suaded to attend the strikers meeting TINS
morning, where they were initiated into tns
organization. 1t was stated that word had
been received from Chicago that 275 linemen
ih that city had gone on a strike. The hnemeh
attended the telegraphers' meeting later on
AT the latter gathering II was stated tnht re-
ports had been received from the SCOUTS Who
had been watching the effect of the strike on u
the companies, These reports, IL was SAID
showed that the large offices were completely
crippled, The West Union office, IL was claimed
had but six good operators and these were pe-
ing worked day and night. All oil the CITY
offices were reported TO be closed ana lne re-
ports from other cities showed that the sltua-
tion was everywhere the same. I'D was tne
general opinion among the strikers that the
trouble would last only few days and tnat
the companies would be obliged to ooncede
everything 1t was claimed that not more
than quarter of the operators reported TO Do
at work could receive or transmit message.
1t was said that notes had been received from
several brokers asking 10 be permitted to help
the strikers out II any funds were needed.
These offers, it was said, we're declined. as the
brotherhood had plenty OF money The assist
afice provided by various labor organizations
amounted to more than 5000, 600. The tele.
graphers' meeting was largely increased by op-
orators who had come to this city TO confer
with the strikers and lend them their assist
ance. A committee was appointed 10 devise a
system for the disbursement of the brother
hoods funds to the needy. The disposition
seemed TO be that nothing short of a complete
concession by the company OF the demands
would he accepted.
At the Western Union office about half the
desks are occupied. Superintendent Dealy
said that the outlook vas very encouraging.
The desks were being gradually filled by new
hands. They had full force, though not the
regular number of operators. OF the ladies,
rs out of regular force OF l30 remained, and
they had succeeded in obtaining about 35 re-
crui s, but one-quarter of tbs mon were with
them, and their wires were all working clear
with the exception of that to Boston and some
OF the outhern points, where there was still
some delay. Their communications with
Brooklyn we're found to be cut off this morn
ing, the trouble being with the cables running
over the bridge. They expected TO be able TO
do all the business brought into them to-day
without any difficulty. Some of the new
operators were frst-class men, and many OF
them were old opei ators who had not been in
the business for several years. The chief OF
the cable service reports that there is no delay
whatever there, and that every thing is work
ported reopened this morning.
The Western Union subcommittee was in
session to-day, but nothing was done that
would be divulged An official stated posi-
lively that the company would not yield, but
would fight it out to the bitter end.
Mr.. Jay Gould said that they did not pro-
pose to recognizs any committee of the Broth
erhood, and that If the employees of the com-
pany persisted ia their present action they
would not get cent. They had already made
clff ali md how runn aliyai
before long.
Erastus Winan, one of the Western Union
Directors and President OF the Great Northern
Company which controls nearly all OF the Ca
madam lines. to-day said that so far as the Ca
madam lines are concerned any compromise or
concessions TO the strikers was simply an i'm
possibility. To increase the compensation
would destroy all the profits This was be-
cause Parliament regulated the rate at which
messages were sent in Canada. Only twelve
offices paid salaries, and these were in the large
cities; all their other employees worked on COM
mission. They employed about 5000 men, and
only half of these were on strike. The only
reason they struck was because they we're COM
PEELED to join the Brotherhood, and their CO
operation was secured by the operators in the
United States in order to prevent an imports-
tion from Canada such as occurred in 1870,
They had no grievance as they we're paid ex-
ira for all Sunday work aud there had been a
constant increase in their wages Instead of a
reduction.
Mr.. Winan had advices from Canada that
all business going on thoroughly. He did
not believe in yielding single point TO the
strikeTs He thought from wnat he had seen
that the strike would not be succ, IS.
AT the office OF the American Rapid Tele
graph Company, il was said that forty opera
tors we're at work, or about one-third of the
usual force. New hands were being gradually
obtained and no delay was experienced The
Baltimore and Ohio (Commereial) Telegraph
Company was Wis, ted. Manager FItch said tue
company was taking messages, subject TO de-
lay, for all poiuts excepting ST. LOUIS and
Louisville, where the business was proceeding
as usual.
Superintendent Clowry at Chicago reports.
The situation is improving rapidly"
ST. Louis has full force and the Southwest
is loyal At the principal points in Texas,
Arkansas and Louisiana nobody has left. The
whole force returned to work at st. Joseph,
NO., stating they had been deceived. Five OF
them will retu at Evansville and five or six
viii go back at Cleveland. All the force at
Columbus, o., are in the union, but they re-
fused TO strike.
Superintendent Miller at Cincinnati reports
that business was clear last night, except for
Memphis. He says everything is up" at
Cleveland and Detroit.
Superintendent Wallack of the Indianapolis
district is very solid. Business is up in his
district.
Superintendent Dickey at Omaha reports
that his offices are we'll manned.
Superintendent Clowry adds: 1--WE have
more men in Chicago than we can use, and
they are pouring in "
The situation at Various Points.
ST. LOUIS, July 20.-Forty operators were al
work ia the Western Union office last night
aud business moved as usual. Two operators
were sent to Chicago. Thirty five railroad op'
orators also sent to Galveston, Houston
and other points in Texas. The Brotherhood
has appointed committees to look after their
interests.
Tie Baltimore & Ohio and the Mutual Un.
ion offices closed, all the operators in the
latter and all but two in the former joining
the strikers. The Western Union offices on
change will be fully manned to-day, and busi-
ness be transacted as usual.
CHICAGO, July 90 Superintendent Clowry
reports the business of the Chicago Office of the
Western Union Company Is moving along
without perceptible friction and that while
there is not the usual rapid service neverthe-
less all vital commercial and personal mes
sages and press dispatches are being sent over
the wires without delay. None OF the old
operators have as yet reported back for duty.
Advices from other citie3 and towns In his dis
trict report similar condition of affairs On
Change this morning there was disinclna-
tion to engage in trading and but little was
transacted during the early hours owing to the
meagre nature OF the advances. The Western
and there was perceptible improvement i'm
mediately thereafter. The strikers here thus
far display firmness In their determination to
stand out for considerable period and ex.
press the belief that the company will have tc
sccede to their terms.
New YORK, July 20.-The telegraph offices
al the Stock Exchange are in operation, and
the brokers say no Inconvenience has yet re.
suited from the strike. All the messages are
transmitted promptly, and replies received In
good time. The Western Union Company to
day sent two operators 10 Boston and one each
to Hartford, Conn, and Newark, N. j., where
the forces are badly crippled. The operators
of the Gold * Stock Telegraph Company, at 8
meeting this morning determined to resgn
| il called upon TO serve the Western Union, Al
| the Produce Exchange the effect of the strike
was more seriously felt. The quotations re-
| ceived from Chicago and other western pointl
were very meagre. The Postal Telegraph
| Company has put in some Of its wires and hal
| rendered considerable assistance. Business
| however, was unusually dull. Business at the
| Cotton Exchange has fallen off in consequence
| Of the strike. Reports from the South arrive
| slowly; there was great delay in getting quota
| tons.
| A meeting Of the striking telegraphers was
| held in Caledonia Hall this afternoon. Owe
1000 persons were present, including 400 of th,
striking linemen John Mitchell presided
| Teleerams were read from different assemblies
| warning the men to put no faith in newspape
| reports, and stating that the ranks of tb'
| Brotherhood remained solid. delegation o
| the executive committee of the Knights of La
Dor we're present and a resolution adopted in