The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-06
BACKED BY THE c. |. U.
ORGANIZER JOHN FELTMAN TAKES
UP MESSENGER BOYS CAUSE.
He Thinks Their Demand for Better
Pay ON LOng-Distance Deliveries
Is ~Just-Strike Begun.

AT 10 o'clock yesterday morning twenty
five messenger boys employed by the West
ern Union Telegraph Company surrendered
their books and walked out of the office.
declaring themselves on strike. Trouble
has been brewing for several days in A.
ID. T.. circles on account of the dissatisfac-
ton of the messengers with certain rates
received on long-distance messages. Imme-
diately after the strike was called yester-
day the boys met with John Feltman, or
ganizer of the Central Labor Union, and
told him their troubles. Another meeting
was held late yesterday afternoon and still
another one is scheduled for this afternoon.
Mr.. Feltman said last night that the boys
had told him their whole story and that he
believes they have just reason for striking.
The boys declare that their sole object in
striking is TO secure just pay for delivering
long-distance messages.
Mr.. John Wallick, local manager of the
Western Union Telegraph Company. said
yesterday afternoon: THE direct cause of
the strike seems to lie with one or two
mef iSatsens,o who % w serSr DISCHARGED MorE aed 6 6eeaUss
conduct while or duty. The boys are paid
by the piece, and by properly attending to
them receive $40 TO $50 a month.
Mr.. WALLICK'S STATEMENT.
liz Ata.
grievance against the company and admit
that the rate paid is satisfactory. They
came to Manager Harter, of the District
Company. yesterday with the request that
all long-delivery charges be paid over to
them instead of half of such charges, as is
now the custom. Mr.. Harter replied that
he would have to consult Superintendent
Wallick, who was out of the city. This
morning one of the messengers. Doody by
name who was on 0ufV at fha fimp uaC
found loafing in the alley, and as he had
been suspended for three days only the
week before for delay in delivery he was
discharged. He and another messenger
named Fallows then conferred with the
other boys in Pearl street back of our
building, and within half an hour the whole
THE BOYS STORY.
The boys story differs from that of Mr..
Wallick only in the cause of the strike.
Their sole reason in striking. they say, is
because of the injustice of the company in
not granting them all Of the 1O-cent charges
on the long-distance messages. The boys
claim that on message deliveries of more
than ten squares the company has no right
to ) Of the 10 cents which is charged for
the delivery of such messages. 1t is sup
posed by the public that the boys receive
all of the 10 cents which they collect on
these long-distance deliveries, but such is
not the case. One-half of IL is turned over
to he company. In cases where people re-
fuse to pay the charge, or where the person
is not at home. the boys take the message
back TO the office and the company deducts
10 cents from their wages. This, the boys
say, is not fair, and Mr.. Feltman pointed
TO the fact last night that legally the COM
pany has no right whatever to charge a
rate of 10 cents on telegraph messages. for
the 10 cents is paid by the recipients OF
their own accord.
Doody claimed that when he was found
in the alley by John Wallick, jr., he was
simply seeking a conference. and that. be-
fore he had time TO state his business he
was discharged. The strike is not of the
Messenger Boys Union, but of the boys
who are not receiving the full rate on long
distance messages. The Postal boys re-
ceive the full rate. The striking messen-
gers declared they will not return TO work
until their demands are granted, while Mr.
Wallick says the ompany cannot accede
to their demands. Another meeting Of the
boys will be held this afternoon at 5 O'Clock
In the Union block.