Morris tribune., 1905-08-05

nized the fact that telegraphers who
work seven days weekly are entitled
to extra compensation and the
salaries for those occupying such
positions have been fixed accord
ingly. In other branches of the
service the same distinction is made
and the rate of compensation named
for many positions coyers services on
Sundays.
"The payments which would be
made under this rule if it were con
coded would create great discre-
pancies between the salaries allowed
those men who are required to work
seven days weekly and those who on
account Of the character of their
duties can be relieved from duty on
Sundays. Furthermore, this rule is
not in effect on any other lines in
this country, besides being one which
if granted, would in the opinion OF
the company's officers result in an
unfair discrimination between the
compensation allowed The COM
pany's telegraphers and other en-
ployes who are called upon to work
Sundays.
"Partlcular attention is called to
the fact that only a small proper
ton, less thanone-third, Of the telegra
piers on the system would be bene-
flied by the rule in any event, as it
has always been the policy OF the
company to require as little Sunday
work as possible, consistent with the
necessity for the uninterrupted
movement of the company's traffic
and the convenience of the public.
I'm view of the fact that on July
5 last a circular of instructions was
issued by their committee in St.
Paul to the telegraphers on the line
announcing that strike vote had
been taken and that large majority
of the telegraphers on tn line had
voted to strike if necessary to en-
force the demands of the committee,
and in view of the fact that it has
been impossible for the officers of the
company and the members of the
photographers committee to recon
Gle this difference, it was deter.
mined to prepare and issue a sehe-
dule of rules and rates, which with
but this one exception embodies the
concessions made to the committee
and which is as liberal and gener-
Gus as any schedule for telegraphers
to be found in effect to-day on any
line in this country. Attention is
called to the fact that the committee
was entirely satisfied with the COM
pensation allowed under the new
schedule and that there is 20 ques-
tion at issue with reference to the
rates of pay particularly set forth
therein. Further, that the committee
expressed it's entire willingness to
accept the schedule with the single
exception of the so-called Sunday
rule
"This was more particular y nee
cessary for the reason that the COM
mittee positively declined either to
accept or reject the schedule offered
by the company, and for the further
reason that the committee claimed to
mold the necessary authority to order
strike of the telegraphers on the
line at any time it might SOC fit.
Attention is called to the fact
that the strike vote was taken and
the strike circular Of July 5 issued
five days before. any request for a
conference with the management CD
the subject of a new schedule had
been made,
COPIES Of the new schedule and a
list Of the new rat IS have been dis
tributed over the line, and the tele-
graphers are being requested to
decide as individuals whether to
accept or reject the same.
"The canvass so far made indi-
Gates that approximately 50 per cent
of the telegrapbers are entirely
satisfied with the new rules and
rates.
! "It is expected that there will be
no difficulty in maintaining regu-
lar and satisfactory service over the
company's lines"