The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-10-20
TELEGRAPHERS FORM
NEW ORGANIZATION
VIII EndeaVOr to Obtain
More Favorable Conditions.
SHORTER HOURS, MORE PAY
Three Hundred Operators Join the New
York Branch and Were Installed
at the First Regular Meeting.
SHORTER HOURS, MORE PAY

NEW YORK. Oct 2O.-ThTee hundred
telegraph operators assembled yesteT-
day afternoon and formed the New York
Lodge of the International Union Of
Commercial Operators Permanent on
GERS were elected and 100 men were en-
rolled and paid their first three months
dues
In the last three months unions have
been formed in nearly every city in the
United States and Canada, and New
York vas left for the final work Of the
organizers. It is expected that the mem
bership of the new union viii run up
into the thousands before many regular
meetings of the union have been held
What the outgrowth Of this general
organization is to be the organizers OF
the union do not say beyond the declara-
ton that they expect TO obtain better
pay and better hours. One Of the lead
ers also proclaimed yesterday that Gov
eminent ownership of the telegraph
lines will be urged by the operators
when they shall be thoroughly organ
lied.
This is the first general movement
toward organization Of the telegraph
operators since the great strike Of 1888,
after which the union went 10 pieces II
was plainly impressed upon the minds
Of the operators yesterday that vigorous
opposition might be expected from the
Western Union Company. but all were
urged to speedily make the union as
strong as possible and develop the or
gauization TO such strength as would
enable the operators to cope with the
organization Of employers II was stat
ed that the Postal Company had mani
tested friendly attitude toward the
union In other cities, and the men were
told that they would probably find the
same spirit here.
John F. Burke, president Of the local
union in Boston, and NJ ] Reidy, first
vice president OF the international
Union Of Commercial Operators, acted
as organizers. On September Is an in
terna tfonaI convention was held in Chi
cago which was attended by delegates
from all parts of the United States and
Canada. and at that time the interna-
tionaI organization was effected, with
the following officers: J. J. Mcdonald,
Chicago. president: N J Reidy, Boston.
first vice president: E A Douglas, Mil
waukee. secretary and treasurer, and an
executive committee consisting OF we'll
known operators from every section Of
the country.
The American Federation Of Labor has
also been at work organizing the opera
tors. men having been appointed by
President GompeTs in each city to do
the work. Herman Robinson was Sc
Iected TO look after New York and has
enrolled a large number Of operators
and has collected a considerable sum
Of money. but this money. it was said
Yesterday, will now be turned over 10
the local union and the American Fed
Grafton membership merged into the
more recent organization
When Mr.. Burke had called the meet
ing 10 order yesterday, Mr. Reidy, Of the
international organization. addressed
the men, telling them the purpose OF
the union and what II was expected 10
accomplish in New York The Govern
meut ought to own the telegraph lines, -
said Mr. Reidy, and the 300 operators
cheered him. The American people are
fair and just" he said, and will insist
upon having their government employees
well paid Sc we purpose when organ
lied to put every candidate for Repre-
sentative in Congress on record in the
-o1r-oF -
telegraph lines
He estimated that there were IN the
neighborhood Of 100, 900 operators in
the country and they could make them
selves a power II they took the right
course.
Permanent officers Of the union were
then elected as follows: Percy Thomas
president; John 3. Lawrence, vice pres
ident; Frederick E Wheeler, secretary
and treasurer Executive committee
T Jerome Dunn, Austin ]. Veelie. Nor
man A NUM-, James A Criswold
Thomas O'Connor and Herbert A Yoeil
3 D. Sell Of Philadelphia, represent
ing the railway operators. came into the
meeting late and asked II the Interna-
tional Commercial Operators Union in
tended 10 Cooperate with the railway
men in Philadelphia Mr. Reidy told
him that the railway men would be ex-
pected 70 work with the commercial men
everywhere, and would be asked TO as
sisr in forming the new union in Phila-
delDhia-
meeting OF the officers OF the Inter
national Union is to be held IN New Or
leans in November, and at that time the
charter to the New York local viii be
granted.