Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-07-19
AWAITING rHe DECISION.
Uneasiness in TeleGrsph and Business
CIrcles-Aany Of the Employees
will Stand By the Company.

brotherhood would wait on the 0mclals OF the
Western Union at eleven today, to demand
an answer to their petition in reference to
wages and hours of work. Up to ll-30 none
of the committee had appeared. A meeting
of the directors of the company is called for
l2. 80 and the result of the meeting. a. tar as
il refers to the petition. viii not probably be
known for an hour or more after that time.
Their is no evidence of unusual excitement
among the operators although the situation
is discussed with much interest wherever
knot of them gather.
A feverish feeling exists in the Geographic
circles over the threatened strike. Every
person interested is anxiously waiting the
result of the meeting of the executive COM
mittee of the Western Union directors, which
convened this afternoon to consider the de-
mands of the telegraphers. committee OF
the brotherhood held meeting early this
morning but what transpired could not be
learned.
Cipher dispatches were received by the
committee from various points where opera
tors are willing to leave their desks at mo-
ment's notice. 1t is said that every means
would be taken to render the strike gen.
eral one for in this event only would it be
successful.
An officer of the Western Union company
said today, that there seemed to be little pos
sibility that the committee would grant the
request and that the strike seemed inevitable.
The demands were unjust and unreasonable
and if strikes should happen the company
would fight it to the bitter end.
W. j. Dealy, manager of the operating
room of the Western Union, said he did not
believe a strike would be commenced without
mature deliberation on the part Of the opera
tors This morning there were only nine alb
sentees from the regular force, the ordinary
number of absentees was from 10 to 20. He
said he had at least so letters from employees
of the company promising to stand by in the
orators in the Office, each one having under
him from eighteen to twenty men.
This morning canvass was made by these
men among the operators to ascertain, if
possible, the real strength of the disaffected
portion, and how large force might be re-
lied on in case of strike. The first report
showed that out of 81 operators IL were
doubtful and nine promised to stand by the
company. Later reports indicate this pro-
portion represented the division of feeling
throughout the whole force.
No strike has yet taken place by the tele-
graphers. The executive committee of the
brotherhood were in secret session in the
parlor of the Manhattan Hotel this morning,
preparatory to making another formal demand
upon the Western Union Telegraph company.
Outside the room sentinel was posted and
no one was allowed to enter without giving
the countersign. There we're six of the
committee present and they are in direct
telegraphic communication with all the Off
ces in the large cities throughout the country.
If the result of the committees visit to the
Western Union people should prove unsatis
factory, word to quit work will be sent direct
from the committees room at the hotel.
1t is stated that Manager Dealy, of the op-
Grating department of the Western Union
Co., shortly after noon, concluded a canvass
of the entire force in the operating room of
473 men and women operators. Three hun
bred gave assurances that they would con-
tinue on their work and not take part in the
strike.
The Western Union directors at their
meeting, TODAY, will consider the proposition
of the operators. 1t is stated on fair author
ity that an advance of five per cent. will be
granted. Working hours will also be re-
duced.
The meeting of the Western Union direc.
tors did not convene till o'clock. The d.
rectors attending are Jay Gould, Cyrus W.
Field, Russell Sage, Sidney Dillon, Harrison
burke A. b. Cornell, and John Van Horne.
The session promises to be protracted one.
The decision on the operators demands is
not looked for until late this afternoon.
At the regular weekly meeting of the ex-
ecutive committee of the directors of the
Western Union Telegraph Co., today, the
following was adopted:
Resolved, That committee consisting of
A. B. Cornell, J. w. Clendenin and John 7.
Terry be appointed to inquire into the COM
plants Of irregularities Of compensation and
the conditions of service Of the employees of
this company, if any, and report to the COM
mittee.
The directors will hear the committees
report at IL A. M. Thursday.
One gentleman who attended the meeting
says the sentiment was unanimous in support
of the action of Gen. Eckert in his reception
of the committee who called on him to pre-
sent the memorial last Monday, and that his
letter to Col. Clowry eff Chicago, outlining
the position and resourcess of the company
and calling attention to the exorbitant de-
mands of that committee, was likewise dis
cussed and warmly approved.
ST. LOUIS, NO., July Is.
The members of the telegraphers' brother
hood, here, assert that unless the Western
Union company reply favorably before noon,
today, to the memorial presented to General
Manager Eckert, the executive committee
will order q strike and that at IL o'clock,
sharp, New York time, every member of the
brotherhood in the country will stop work
and quietly abandon his post. Telegraph
officials do not seem to be worried about the
matter.
PHILADELPHIA, July 1S.
At meeting of the Philadelphia assembly
of the brotherhood of photographers held tonight
four hundred members were present. They
were given to understand that the strike
would probably he ordered tomorrow by noon
if the pending compromise was not effected
by that time.
LETTER FROM GENERAL ECKKRT.
CHICAGO, July II.
The following telegraphic letter from
President Eckert to Colonel Clowrv, the
Chicago superintendent, presents more fully
than has yet been done the company's side of
the case.
To r. c. Clowry, General Superintendent
of the Western Union Telegraph Company,
Chicago, Ills:
"A committee of six persons called upon
me yesterday and presented memorial ad.
dressed to the Western Union Telegraph
Company and signed by themselves as mem
bers of the executive committee of the
Brotherhood of Telegraphers of United
States and Canada. The memorial calls up-
on the company for certain concessions in
regard to hours and rates of nav. suhstan.