The morning call., 1893-03-24
WILL NOT SUBMIT.
Trouble Ahead for the
Western Union.
OPERATORS MEAN BUSINESS.
And the Company Declines to Permit
Any Association to Dictate the
Management of Its Affairs.
Special to THE MORNING CALL.

New YORK, March 23-Concerning the
report that trouble between the Western
Union Telegraph Company and its en-
ployes is imminent w. b. Somervlle of
the Western Union Telegraph Company, in
an interview to-day, said: 81 understand
that some operators were dismissed at Phil
adelphia, and no doubt it was for good
cause. We reserve to ourselves the right to
manage the cOmpany's affairs in our own
way, and without either dictatiOn or intim-
Idation from the representatives of any as
sociation. That such course has been at
tempted these facts show: On March a
circular was delivered at the Office of the
Western Union Company in Chicago with a
threat that it would be issued at O'Clock
on that day if certain operators, members
of the order, were discharged from the
Western Union service at Pittsburg. The
circular was signed by John Cuthbertson,
supreme chancellor, and Oscar NJ. Gibbs,
supreme secretary and treasurer, and or
dered that the members of each local lodge
should, upon its receipt, appoint a commit
tee to thoroughly canvass Its territory,
visiting all the leading firms doing
business with the Western Union Com
pany, show them a copy of the declara-
ton of principles. advise them Of the action
VI tLb W GStttu OHlUu OluDdD4 III tHG u.s.
charging Of members and request them to
give their business to the Postal Telegraph
Company on the claim that that company
was not antagOnistic to the order. 1t di-
rected them also to call upon other labor
organizations to assist them in their efforts
and TO appeal to the public generally
through the daily papers to withhold their
patronage from tile Western Union Com
pany at all competitive points. The in
Quiry was made as directed, and it was re-
ported that no dismi ssals from our service
had been thought of as were charged in the
circular.
On March 4 the following letter was re-
ceived to which, of course. no reply was
made:
"'CH1cAGo, III.
Thomas Eckert, President and General
Manager Western Union TELEGRAPH Com
pGUy, NeW York: Notwithstanding your
assurance six men have been discharged on
account of our order. We have no desire
te retaliate, but if these men are not imme-
diately retnstated and this injustice rem
edied all poiuts shall give orders to carry
out my instructions In the circular pre-
sented to you, and l will expect reply by
o'clock. John CUTHBERTsoN,
Supreme Chancellor. Order Commercial
Telegraphers.'
ANY employe Of the Western Union Tele
graph Company has the right to appeal TO
the officers of the company upon any indi-
yidual grievance and will always receive
courteous attention. No representative Of
any association will, however, be recognized
or his views discussed as to the way in which
the company's business is to be managed"
Western Union Telegraph officials gener-
ally talk very calmly of the report of the
Impending strike of employees and do rot
appear the least disturbed by the presence
in this city of John Cuthbertson. supreme
chancellor of the operators organization.
Most of the officers declared the rumors of
existing trouble with the operators are un-
true and expressed ignorance of the fact
that any Of the employees had been dis
charged,