Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-07-02
WESTERN UNIONS PERIL.
oNoTuER STRIKE TALKED OF
BY TELEGRAPHISTS.

The Men Who Went in During the flght
,f1Ss3 Counted on 10 Go Out Now
the President Signs Savannah's Pub
nc Building Biil-A COIOneicy Tor
Porter.
WASHINGTON, July 1.--There is con-
adorable talk among the W estern Union
telegraph operators at this point of a
,,robable strike before the close of the
eummer, Most of those who were spoken
with on the subject to-day maintained
stndled reticence, but one OF the num-
her finally made the following statement:
ayes. il is true, we are considering the
odvisability Of a strike. We have certain
demands that we propose to submit to
tbe company. If these demands are not
complied with we shall probably quit
work Aug. l."
THE DEMANDS.
"What are these demands" was
asked.
at is not to secure an increase of pay"
was the reply, "but rather to prevent the
company from reducing our salaries, as
mas been the custom for several years
past. | can better illustrate my idea by
taking the case of a 500 man whom the
comuany has seen III to discharge. This
mans place will be filled by a $50 man,
which makes practical reduction in that
case of $50 e month. In the event of the
discharged operator being reinstated by
the company ne VIII be fortunate to get
back at $50, or at the most $40 month"
HEAVY REDUCTION.
"The Western Union officials are afraid
10 make systematic reduction all along
the line for fear of precipitating strike,
L tn Ct mn
ment in our favor. For this reason they
employ the method | nave just described,
which has amounted in the last three
years to cut of probably % per cent"
"In the event OF a strike Will the men
who took your places IN the former strike,
the sc8bs,' as you call them, oppose you
againp
GRIEVANCE OF THE sCABS.
The operator smiled. at would sur
prise YOU | dare say to learn that the
bcabs' are the most aggressive element
we have among us. BY sort OF reUribu-
tive Justice they seem to have suffered
worse than those of US who went out in
1883. In the great majority OF cases they
were inferior men. the company offered
them the highest rate OF wages paid at
that time. They were not worth the sala-
~ then and are not now. The company
latterly has been discharging them upon
the slightest techuIe&ity, and re-employ-
lag them again at about half their former
pay.
STRIKERS CUT DOWN.
''The strikers we're taken back at greatly
reduced wages, and Consequently they
have less grievances than those who took
their places. Nevertheless, we cannot
permit the company 10 continue cutting us
down, and Tor that reason we shall ask
them to cry a halt. Ii they don't agree to
our proposition it is very probable strike
Will be ordered Aug. 1. Our organiza-
tion is now Incorporated in the knights Of
Labor, who Will give Us the benent of their
experience, as we'll as their moral and
material support" "Ifwe do strike" be
added, in conclusion, ''you may look for
adifierent termination from that Of three
years ago."
SAVANNAH'S PUBLIC BUILDING.
The President signed the Savannah pub
lie building bill today. MIR. Norwood
found upon asking Mr.. Randall, who has
charge Of the suGdry civil bill, that it was
too late TO get the item appr0prlating the
100000 for the building in the sundry
civil bill in the House. So he will see
Tie Senators and have them put 1t in the
Senate. The sundry civil bill will probably
be law next week.
PORTER TO BE MADE COLONEL.
The President is expected to nominate
tltz-JOhn Porter Colonel in the army a t
once. The nomination will in due course
be referred to the Committee on Military
Affairs, of which John A. Logan is chair
man and Mr.. Cameron, of Pennsylvania,
and Mr, Jewell, of New Jersey, are mem
oers, Mr.. Logan proposes TO delay action
upon the nomination rs long as he can.
lnasmuch as he Will be in a minority in
The committee, which will stand six to
lour 10 favor Of FItz-John Porter, it is
dou0tiul whether he Will be able to effect
much delay.
RANDALL'S APPLEJACK BILL.
1t is understood tnat the randall apple
'ack tariff bill will be reported adversely
70 the House by the Ways and Means
committee, and tnat the report which
/ llaIrman Morrison will writA viii nunc.