Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-07-20
Other Telegraph Companies Keep
ing a Stiff Upper Lip-The
Strikers Cheered on the
Streets.
Ex-Governor Cornell to Operate Wire
Claims of the Brotherhood and
Of the Company.

The telegraphers in the Western Union
operating room. left their instruments at five
minutes past u. cody went to the coat room.
donned hats and coats and left the building.
About twenty-five men are left in the oper-
ating room and thirty girls. On the appear
ance Of the men on Broadway a crowd who
had copgregated gave them three cheers,
and the cheers were repeated again and again
as the elevators emptied the striking opera
tors by the dozens. In a short time the
exodus Of operators had ceased, and they had
gathered upon the walks and in the roadway
At last some hundred lady operators made
an appearance on Broadway, and they were
greeted with repeated cheers by their friends
of the brotherhood and q mass of citizens on
the street.
The strike is fully inaueurated. The gen.
eral staff Of managers, assistant managers,
wire chiefs and their assistants remain, and
are running the vacated desks of the striking
operators. Several clerks employed in the
clerical department Of the company, such as
the auditors office, vice presidente Office,
the bookkeeping department, the receiving
department. the SUPPLY department. includ-
ing Col Hunter, have all fled into the oper-
ating department. to do duty.
II is said that Ex-Governor Cornell will
take wire and operate it. as he is one of the
best skilled in the country. Several other
prominent officials of the company are now
seated at the operators desks, and the best
efforts are being made to work of great
amount of messages upon the files Of the
company for transmission.
None of the operatives of wires connected
with the associated press from this ely to
Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington.
and none of the excellent force connected
with the New England associated press have
left their posts, and will not. The operators
connected with the Rapid Telegraph Co..
Mutual Union, Postal Telegraph Co and all
city lines connected with the Western Union
have generally left their instruments. Oper.
ators OF the Canadian lines have also left
their posts. The Wheatstone operators have
also left the operating room of the Western
Union Co. There is considerable excitement
in all parts of the city, and all citizens seem
to take great interest in the greatest tele-
graphic strike that ever was inaugarated in
the world.
The members of the telegraphers' brother
hood. today. claim that they have received
unmistakable marks Of sympathy from the
public; that they have substantial backing
OF $40, 900 Of their own funds: that they
have evey assurance of substantial assistance
if needed from the Knights of Labor through
out the country, and they aver they will not
return to their desks until their demands are
complied with
The officials of the Western Union com.
pany state they will be able to handle what
amount Of work may be put upon them BY
the public, with good prospects of increasing
aid every hour. Other companies state thew
are not so badly crippled as the Western
Union,
p. M.-Since the exodus of the tele-
Rraphers from the Office of the Western
Union, some IS have reported for duty, in
Guiding clerks. superintendents, managers,
girls and every one that can he obtained at tbi.
hour. The company has 146 operators Of all
degrees and capacities at work. This Is less
than half the usual force, and includes the
night force.
At Chicago 40 operators are left out Of the
the entire force. Officials claim they will
carry on the business without serious friction.
At Philadelphia a small force is left. At
Pittsburg fifteen are left. About 100 are
striking at various offices.
AT Cincinnati business was suspended at
the office Of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad
and Mutual Union companies. About 80
men remained in the Western Union Office.
Supt. Miller Gays this is the only Office in
his district seriously crippled: that but one
operator struck at Columbus, Ohio, while at
DAYTON. Springfield and other points they
have full force.
The committee Of photographers sent a letter
to Gen. Eckert. stating that ~ they have
every reason ~ believe their grievances have
been under consideration a long time, and
had been thoroughly discussed long before
they waited on him. 1t is due to the inter-
ests represented by the company and public
and with an earnest desire for settlement.
they make this last appeal far the settlement
the OF grievances OF the employees.
The committee appointed to consider the
operators grievances, took an action to issue
directions that operators be notified TO pre
sent grievances. and that such action would
be taken as might be thought proper.
Gen. Eck-rt has caused the following to he
posted NJ the principal Offices:
Notice-Messsges taken today are subject
to delay and to mailingen route if necessary.
BALrrxoRE, July 49,
The operators in the main Office of the
Western Union left in = BODY. Thirty odd
left in the main Office. The Baltimore
1 Ohio railroad has one remaining. and from
the Rapid, nine left leaving few lady opera.
tors. The operators of the Western Union
At Philadelphia, Cincinnati and Chicago
struck ut noon.
Providence, r. l., July 10.
The operators Of the American Rapid line
struck at noon. All operators of the Western
Union line remained at work 1t one. and bu.-
iness goes on % usual.