The times., 1898-12-04
many OPERATORS needed
The Signal Corps Is in a
Quandary.
FOR CUBA AND PORTO RICO
Gen. wade's Request Revealed the
Lack of TeIegraphers-Estim
That 500 Experts VIII he Re-
quired - Few VIII Enlist for
Measer Pay-A Civilian Force Nay
BE Organized.

The War Department is confronted by
question which is causing the officials.
especially those of the signal corps, great
embarrassment 1t is the matter of sup
plying skilled operators to take charge
of the telegraph lines in Cuba and Porto
Rico.
A cablegram was received by the Act
ing Secretary of War several days ago
from Gen. Wade, of the Cuban Evacua-
tion Commission at Havana, requesting
that telegraph experts be at once sent to
the service there.
This includes. in addition to the Span
ish lines, over $50 miles of wire which
was strung recently by signal corps de-
tachments, besides other prospective Cow
ernment lines.
1t is estimated that not less than so
operators will be required to pace the
Cuban and Porto Rican telegraph systems
in successful operation. vixen. in a few
days, it all passes into American control
When the call for operators was re-
ceived by Secretary AIger the signal
corps found itself in a quandary. Many
expert operators had enlisted in the
corps at the beginning Of hostmiss. not
as a matter of securing employment ut
army pay. but because they considered
it patriotic duty to give their services
10 their country in its hour of need. In
fact, many of these teIegraphers Rad
given up remunerative positions With til,
hi
hostilities ceased and the psac> p-oto oil
was signed. they demanded that they be
discharged from the military service in
order that they might resume tEeir for
mer positions in civil life
As result. large numbers Of them wers
granted discharges. and the ranks of the
signal corps re-hlled from the volunteer
regiments, with men-in a majo. iiy Of in
stances-who do not know the difference
between a sounder and an Eagle battery
cell
There are comparatively few good oper-
ators now wearing the crossed flags and
torch of the signal corps. Consequently
when Gen. Wade's request came for
more operators. Secretary Alger at once
conferred with the signal corps officials
1
sued a call for telegraphers. and promul-
gated it among the local Offices a num-
ber responded and presented them
selves at the signal headquarters These
nresentees believed they would receive
good. paying positions as operators in
the colonies. When informed that they
would be required 10 enlist at S20.iO per
month until the peace treaty goes into
effect and then be reduced TO <17 per
month, the peace rating. besides being
compelled to wear soldier clothes and
subsist on ''slumscuilionT and other ar
tieles in the army bill of fare these op-
orators vanished and have not been seen
near the War Department since
a high War Department official stated
yesterday that, as the signal corps
could not supply the operators from its
enlisted force, the Government would
no doubt have TO organize a force of civil
ian operators for duty in the colonies.
1t is known that many of the soldier
operators secured their release from the
army because they feared they would be
ordered to the Philippines. Cuba or Porto
Rico, which they regard as military
Botany Bays or Devils Islands. TO serve
Indefinitely at the small military pay