The Washington herald., 1907-09-09

G. S. Hervey, president OF the Rich
m6HG (Va-) local telegraphers' union, IN
the principal address at the big open
meeting in Typographical Temple, this
city, yesterday afternoon, accused the
telegraph companies OF running a private
mailing bureau. and declared that he was
going 10 ask for permission and a fran
ehise to do the same thing. The COM
panies, he said, are sending messages
from city TO city by mail, and charging
regular telegraph rates for them. while
they pay but cents an ounce postage.
This does not even mean 2 cents a
message. as they are sent in one bundle
to an agent and distributed by him. the
only legitimate charge being the mes
senger delivery service If the telegraph
companies can carry on such a business,
why should not any one else? The tele-
graph companies think 10 win this fight
through an empty stomach and an empty
pocketboOk. but there Is no chance Of
either. II they think to starve us out.
there will be empty stomachs and purses
in Wall street long before you viii find
them around the telegraph offices.
Our action IN striking is lawful and
Just. We have the right to strike, but
the telegraph companies. with their fran
chises and privileges as public service
corporations, have not the right to sus-
pend business simply because they refuse
TO reach an agreement with their en-
ployes. and refuse 10 arbitrate any dis
agreement
Have a Right to Strike.
We are not incorporated. and are not
a body before the law, and we, as indi-
vlduals. have a right to do as we please.
bat why should the companies, through
their privileges. be allowed to rob the pub
lie. and make enormous profit on mes9
sages by sending them by mail and train
from one point 10 another and collecting
telegraph tolls for this insufficient and
cheaper service? II this is 20 be permit
ted. they will never again have any use
for operators"
Mr.. Hervey presented statistics, which
he claimed were absolutely accurate and
reliable. showing that the Western Union
Company was doing only { per cent Of
its average business at this time OF the
year from and TO Richmond lie also
said that Commissioner NeiTs efforts
while appreciated, had been devoid OF any
benefit 90 the operators: that the com
missioner had done nothing, from their
point OF view His only accomplishment,
he said, was getting a letter from Presi-
dent Clowry that was entirely unsatis-
factory, IN that il asked the men TO re-
linquish practically all their demands for
the sake Of a conference with the COM
pany az individuals.
Mr. HeTvey was vOCiferously applauded.
particularly when he scored an apparent
point against the companies. The big hall
was crowded. and from all appearances
there was no dlminution Of the enthusiasm
that marked the Inauguration of the
strike
Groves Sure OF Victory.
international Vice President Beattie and
President Groves OF the local union also
made speeches. Mr.. Beattle followed
along the lines Of Mr.. Hervey's address.
emphasizing the points made by him
President Groves spoke OF the local con-
ditions, saying that with the Inauguration
OF the fifth week OF the strike the pros
poets of a victory for the men were
brighter than ever. He said the opera
tors had made all the gains. that there
had been no deseTtiOns from their ranks
while they had during the week past
taken three men from the Western Union
and one man at the Postal had been
forced 70 quit from overwork, and the
strain was telling on all the operators in
the companies local Offices. He asked the
men TO stand pat and wait for the in
eyitable victory.
President Hervey, Of the Richmond
local. with eX-POstmaster General Wynne.
was the first man in the United States
to use shorthand telegraphy, or the
Phillips code. He was taught by Mr..
Wynne, who was at the time confidential
secretary and private operator TO General
H. Y. Boynton. Mr. Hervey was in a Gin
cinnau Newspaper Office. and he learned
the code over the WIRE