The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-03-24
THE WESTERN UNION TROUBLE

With its rmployes-A statement from the
Company Presents Its Side OF the Case.
New YoRK, March 23,-Concernins
the report that trouble between the
Western Union Telegraph Company
and its employees is imminent, W. d.
sommervile, of the Western Union
company, in an interview to-day said;
l understand that some operators
have been dismissed ut Philadelphia
and no doubt for good cause. Their
dismissal was not known until day or
two since, Our local superinteudents
and managers employ and discharge
their operators at the Offices under their
direction as circumstances may warrant
and We reserve to ourselves the right to
manage tho company's affairs in our
way, and without either dlctation or
intimidation from the representatives
OF any association. That such u course
has been attempted, these facts show;
On March 9TH, the circular was de-
liyered at the office OF the West
ern Union Telegraph Company, in
Chicago before noon with tho threat
that it would BIO issued ut 5 o'clock on
that day, il cer,aiR operators. members
of the order, were DISCHARGED from the
Western Union service at Pittsburgh.
This circular was signed by John Cuth'
bertson, supreme chancellor, and Oscar
NJ. Gibbs, supreme secretary and treas.
urer, and ordered that the members OF
each local lodge should upon its re-
ceipt appoint committee to thorough
ly canvass its territory, visiting all
leading firms doing business with the
Western Union company, show them
copy OF declaration OF principles. advise
them OF tho action OF the Western
Union company in discharging mem
bers, and request them TO give their
business to the Postal Telegraph com-
pany, on the claim that that compan Is
not antagonistic to their orderi 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 patronage from the
Western Union company for all COM
petitive points. 1t wound up as fol-
lows:
"By united action this faithful work
OF tho committees, coupled with tinan-
cial protection to those who may suffer
loss through their connection with the
order, we will at least show tho enemy
that the infant ia now able to stand
alone, gaining strength daily and no
longer to be tritled with"
Inquiry was made and its was report
cd that no dismIssals were made from
our service nor were thought OF, as
charged in the circular, and the Vest
orn Union Officials at Chicago, which Is
in another division, were 50 informed.
On March 9th the following telegram
was received, to which OF course no re-
ply was made:
"CmcAdo, ILL.,, March 0, 1893.
"Ta Thomas EcEeri, President and General Manager
Western Union Telegraph Company NeS York
Notwithstanding your assurance six
men have been discharged on account
OF our order. We have no desire to re-
tNliate, but il these men arc not lmme.
diately reinstated aud this injustice
stopped at all points, shall give orders
to carry out my instructions in circular
presented to you and will expect reply
by 3 O'Clock.
(signod) "JoHS CurnBEnrsoN,
Supreme Chancellor, Order OF Com
mcrcial Telographers"
Any omploye of tho Western Union
Telegraph Company has the right OF
appeal to the officers Of tho company
for any individual grievance and will
always receive courteous attention. No
representative OF any association will,
however, DO recognized, or his views
discussed us to the way in which tho
companys business is to DO managed.