Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-07-30
STRIKERS GO TO ARTHUR.
THE GOVERNMENT ASKED TO
END THE TELEGRAPH WAR.

END THE TELEGRAPH WAR.
Representations That the Strike ia Par
aIyzing the Efficiency of the Depart
ments-The Impatience of Business
Men Increasing-The Men and the
Company Still stubborn.
WASHINGTON, July pa committee
of three of the Brotherhood of telegraph
ers waited upon the President of the
United States to-day, and not being able
to see him left with Secretary Phillips the
following communication:
To the President Of the United States.
AT a meeting of the Washington AS
sembly of the Brotherhood of Telegraph-
ers, Knights of Labor, held on the eve
ming of July 2S, 1888, it was resolved
that a committee of three be an
pointed to wait upon your Excellencv
and make the following representa-
tiOns, which this organization stands
prepared to substantiate if given an Op-
portunity so to do: 1t is respectfully rep
resented to the. executive that as a result
of the obstinate attitude assumed by the
Western Union and Baltimore and
Ohio Telegraphic Companies in the
matter OF the pending practical sus-
pension of tetegraphic communication
very important interests of the govern
ment are jeOpardiZed. 1t is alleged by
this Assembly, that telegraphic CORES
pondence of the State, War, Navy, Inte-
riOr, Treasury and Pisst Office Depart-
ments had, for ten days past been subjected
to delay and garbling, growing out of
the inability of the corporations above
mentioned, to properly handle the dis
patches of the National Government. 1t
is further alleged by this Assembly that
the necessary facilities for the prompt
and intelligent transmission of the re-
ports and bulletins of the Signal Service
Bureau of the War Depart
ment are withheld by the
Western Union Telegraph Company.
By such Withholding of facilities it is be-
lieved by this Assembly that the agricul-
tural and mercantile industries are at.
present badly hampered and their future
seriously threatened. All this, it is rep
resented, is i'll direct violation of the
United States statutes. Cholera and
yellow fever threaten us, and at
such a juncture the sanitary arm of the
government should, we believe, be
strengthened, not paralyZed. That prompt
action and cheerful support in the matter
of easy communication between distant
points is an absolute essential to the
strengthening of that service, is a truth
which passes without argument. We
hope, and believe, that you will immedi-
ately instruct the law officers of the gov
ernment to officially investigate these al
legations and take such steps as may be
necessary to assert the rights of the gov
ernment in the premises.
Signed ROBERT L. DEAKERs,
FRED. G. MAREAN,
ALFRED j. J.GUsTIN.
Committee of the Washington Assembly
of the Brotherhood of Telegraphers,
Knights of Labor.
ST. LOUIS, July 29.-The Board of Di
rectors of the Merchants Exchange de-
cline to take any further action in respect
to the strike of telegraphers at the present
time, and Will therefore not send a delega-
tiOn to the Indianapolis conference.
There is nothing new in the telegraph
strike here. The service improves daily
and business is now transacted with
nearly if not quite the same prOmptness
as before the strike.
WASHINGTON, July 29.-Superinten-
dent Zeublin, of the Western Union Com
pany, to-day notified Manager Whitney
that under the general Instructions of the
Acting President of the company, ap-
pOintments have been made filling all va
cancies in this office. The striking opera
tors and dismissed men should be given to
understand that they may seek employ
ment elsewhere if they so desire.
NEW YORK, July 2S.-The Western
Union Telegraph Company to-day took
down its notices ''subject to delay" and
all business is now taken as before in this
city.
At a meeting of the striking telegraph
operators to-day Clarendon Hall was as
well filled as usual, and the enthusiasm
of the strikers seemed not abated in the
slightest degree. Reports from various
sections of the country, which
were read by Chairman Mitchell.
gave favorable accounts of the progress
made by the strikers. letter from
Robert Ewing, one of the members of the
Executive Committee of the Brotherhood
now in New Orleans, was received, giving
information in regard to the progress OF
the strike in the South and Southwest
points, some of which had hitherto not
been heard from. AT Mobile, Atlanta,
Montgomery, Galveston, Houston, Fort
Worth, Dallas and Memphis it was re-
ported that the ranks were unbroken and
that the strikers were looking for a sue
cess every day. The report that
three strikers had returned to work
at Bradford, Pa, was denied
in dispatch received from that place
this morning. A private dispatch from the
Western Union manager at Saratoga to
the New York office, which was said to
have been copied by an ''insider'' who re-
ceived it, was read. 1t stated that it was
utterly impossible to handle the business
and the company must give in or close up
the office. Every message was mass of
bulls. The strikers were addressed bv
the Rev. Charles A. Mccarthy.
PHILADELPHIA, July 2S.-At a meeting
OF the Commercial Exchange held at noon
to-day, in reference to the telegraphic
strike, resolutions were adopted declar-
ing that the present difficulties between
the telegraph companies and their opera
tors could and should have been avoided,
and that the action of both parties in the
controversy was equally reprehensible.
A resolution was also adopted, asking
Congress to take such action as would
prevent similar troubles in the future
Mr.. Zeublin, of the Western Union Tele-
graph Company was not present at the
meeting, and objection was raised when
President Cummings attempted to read a
telegram received from him.
CHICAGO, July 2S.-The substance of
the following dispatch, received by Col.
Clowry to-day, was sent to all other Gen
eral uperintendents of the Western
Union Company: "In reply to your tele-
grams | wish it to be distinctly under
stood that vacancies existing in the SER
vice, caused by the detection of office
managers, chief operators and others
holding positions of responsibility, are not
to be kept open awaiting the return of
those who have deserted their posts. JUS
tlce TO our faithful employees, as we'll as the
best interests of this company, demand
that such vacancies should, as far as DOS
Slble, be filled at once as permanent an
poIntments from among those who have
remained true to the company. You will
please see that this is done.
THOMAS T. ECKERT."
NEW ORLEANS, July 2S.-At meeting
of the committee appointed by the various
commercial organizations to confer to-
gether in regard to the existing strike of
the telegraph operators, at which was
represented the Mexican Exchange. the
Clearing House Association, the Stock
Exchange, Chamber of Commerce and
Cotton Exchange, the following was unan-
imously adopted:
ResOt0ed, That in view of the imperfect
telegraph service at present existing
which has served to PROSTATE commercial
business between this city and its electri-
cal connections we, representatives of the
commercial bodies of New Orleans. urge
the indispensability of such immediate ac-
tion on the part of the Western Union
Telegraph Company as will tend to re-
store the commerce of our city to its
normal condition, and prevent continu-
ance of the heavy losses and serious in
convenience now being sustained bv our
whole commercial community.
BALTIMORE, July 2S.-The American
Rapid Transit Telegraph Company has
notified the Baltimore and Ohio Telegraph
Company that it cannot receive messages
from that company to be forwarded over
the American Rapid wires, the operators
refusing to handle them. On the other
hand, the Baltimore and Ohio Company