Omaha daily bee., 1903-04-17
LINEMEN OUT ON A STRIKE
Nebraska Telephone, western linton
and Postal Telegraph Men
Quit Work.

Linemeu and inspectors tor the Nebraska
Telephone Western Union and Postal Tele-
graph companies in this state struck yester-
day on demand for a full recognition
Of their union, pursuant to the action OF
the association, as published in The Bee
yesterday. The exact number Of men
out cannot be accurately determined until
complete returns are had from all the towns
over the state. In the entire state the tele-
phone company alone employs about $50
men, but some of these are still at work
In Omaha alone the telephone company
has seventy-hve linemen and inspectors
According to p. J. Stark, business agent for
the men. all these have struck. e. NJ
Morsman, secretary and treasurer OF the
Nebraska Telephone company, said, how
ever, that many were still at work up to
noon, though he did not know how soon
they would quit. The Lincoln union has
acted in full harmony, every mEa going out.
Stark says the order has been promptly
complied with In all parts OF the state that
have thus far been heard from, and he an
ticipates that It will be thoroughly observed.
The Western Union has about twenty men
that would be affected by this strike order.
Eleven OF them and Postal men quit over
at Council Bluffs. Stark says the Western
Union men were sent to work yesterday
.
tion, but that they all would be communi-
Gated with ana doubtless would join in the
strike, The Postal has six men in Omaha
and one in Lincoln, all OF whom are said TO
have laid down their trappings. A number
OF the strikers congregated at Labor Temple
yesterday to discuss their affairs and
keep in touch by wire with their men out
in the state.
LINCOLN, April 16.-- Especial. 1.-The line
men and inspectors OF the Nebraska Tele-
phone company employed in this city,
and one lineman of the Postal Tele-
graph company struck this morning. The
order to quit work came from Omaha and
z. J. Stark, former president Of the Lincoln
Central Labor union, 1t Is understood, came
down from Omaha some time ago and lined
the men up with the Omaha workmen. Yes
terday the men who are now out sent q
notice to Manager Thompson assuring him
of their kiRdliest feeling and good will. 81,
The principal complaint of the Lincoln
| linemen is that they want the same pay
for construction work outside of the city
on the toll lines that is paid in the city
which is $2.75 a day. They also want the
union recognized. The Postal Telegraph
man wanted an eight hour day and the rec
/ ognition OF the union. The latter fact Ii
4
will also fight in the matter. They thlnI
that it will be very difficult for the com
panies affected to get men to do necessar!
work of inspection and construction nnt
repair. There are none employed that d.
! not belong to the union in this vicinity AM
as the union is strong in the other cities o
the west the men think that they will b.
able to win out without much delay o
trouble as the avenues of supply will no
be open to the employing companies.
FREMONT, Neb., April 16.-(Special Tel
egram.) 1.-The linemen of the Nebraska Tel
ephone company working here struck today
Those In the employ of the Fremont com
pany are still working and say that the
have received no orders to strike.
BEATRICE, Neb, April 16.-(Special Tel
egram.) THE linemen employed by the Ne
braska Telephone company here quit wor
today because Of the strike prevailing i
the state by all llnemen for an increase 1
wages. Construction work will be discon
tinued until the trouble is adjusted.