The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1901-06-29
STRlkf IS STILL ON
LINEMEN AR STILL FIRM FOR THE
SHORTER WORKDAY.

Representatives Of Companies Shift
Responsibility-Ove For Con
solidation of Telephone Companies
Men Will Do a. Much Work in
Eight Hours ~ In Ten-Manager
VanRergen Commends Shorter Day
The strike of the hnemen is no nearer
settlement this week than it was last.
Every man remains firm, and it can
be safely said that there will not be a
break in the ranks until it is mutually
agreed upon. The men realize that the
struggle for the shorter work day
means 9 good deal to their trade for a
long time to come. They did not rush
into this thing pell nell, but weighed
1t heavily before making the final de-
cision that called them all to action
We were requested to appear before the
union Of linemen during the week, and
II there were ever any doubts in our
mind as to the sticking qualities Of the
men engaged in the struggle they were
entirely removed after gazing into their
faces, upon which were marked signs
OF trmness and determination.
We also talked with q manager of
one Of the companies, and learned his
side OF the controversy. He said that
they were willing to concede the nine
hour day, but anything else would be
out Of the question. In the same
breath he said that their company was
never so prosperous as now. They re-
ceived more orders for phones last
month than ever before, and there was
a possibility for the declaring Of a divi-
dend in July.
During all the talk we asked ourselves
this question: lis the company op-
posing the men because it cannot afford
to grant their demands, or is it simply
because of their opposition to strikes
and unions?'
After listening for some time, we
came to the conclusion that the latter
was the cause Of the failure to come
to an agreement.
The managers say that they are In
favor of granting the requests but the
board of directors are opposed to it..
The committees from the Trades AS
sembly spent considerable time among
the directors. It is indeed amusing to
listen to the stories of the conference.
There was shifting of responsibility
from one to the other that was simply
disgusting. The whole thing shook the
confidence in some Of the members of
the committee with the sincerely of the
companies in dealing with them.
Here are two telephone companies
operating Int Duluth by the grace and
fsg0Od6 VIII 81 the people. Une OF II the
companies secured a franchise num-
Der Of years ago, (and by the way some
Of the stockholders in that company
were members Of the council when the
franchise was given) to operate in this
city. That franchise expired year or
| more ago.
1t was expected that after the expira-
tion of the franchise that the city could
order the company to take it's poles out
| OF the streets, just as it could order a
business house to remove it signs from
! the sidewalks. but the federal courts
| ruled otherwise, and now that company
has what is as good as a perpetual
| franchise, and all the laws and powers
on earth cannot stop them from tres
passing on city property. =.
A business house might get permis-
sion to place an upright sign at the edge
Of the sidewalk, and the city can order
1t removed at its discretion, but it is
otherwise when it comes to dealing with
a telephone company. Here is an in
stance where a corporation has greater
rights than. an Individual Formerly
this~company charged $50 per year for
a telephone; now, since they have a
competitor in the field, they will put a
phone in your place of business for $50
per year, and put one in your home free.
The other company received a fran
chise from the people at the expiration
of the other company's time. The or
| dinance granting them the franchise
fixes the maximum price for phones at
$50 per year, and $40 per pear in resi-
| dences. The competition between the
! companies for business has been keen.
There has been anything but a friend
SHIP existing between them. Now, since
the men are on strike, they chum to-
gether like two old cronies. Both have
agrtod to remain firm friends during
the existence Of the strike. Some peo-
pie are SO cruel as to hint that their
understanding in regards to the strike
has opened a way making it possible
for consolidation of the two COM
panies. If this would be done, and by
the way, it is not improbable, would
they not pay back to the people a few
grudges that they owe? With the de-
cision of the courts in their favor.
which practically gives them perpet-
ual right to trespass on the property
of the city, they will have no fear Of
losing an existing franchise because of
any violation Of its provisions.
| But getting back to the men, let us
| say that il the boasts Of the company
are true, and If they are as prosperous
- they say, there is no valid reason
why they cannot increase the wages of
their men by reducing their hours of
labor, from financial point Of view,
Should they grant the requests. we
say for their, benefit, that the history
Of the shorter workday movement has
demonStrated time and again that the
men will do as much work in eight
hours as they did formerly in ten, and
that no one will be the loser in the end.
Here is an, instance. In a certain
superior street building there were two
/ HA