The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-08-18

"a cessation of the telegraph busi-
ness, due to q strike OF the telsg-
raphers, has occurred but three times
In the history of this public neces-
sity. The last previous strike oc-
cured twenty-four years ago, and,
therefore. the people to whom it is
necessity and 81 convenience have
not been 80 frequently annoyed end
injured by dssensions between the
telegraph corporations and their en'
ployes as to. have become familias
with the conditions which have pro-
duced the present strike.
1.-The newspapers of Richmond nave
editorIally asked for the causes oil
the stoppage of Geographic COM
munication. They have stated thht
II IS the duty Of the telegraphers to
make known to the people the reason
for the strike. and leave it to the
neople to Judge whether or not their
action is justifable. Likewise, the
newspapers of Richmond have said
10 their readers that public sentiment
was essential to the success or Failure
of the operators cause. and prom
ised that terms would be ofeFsd. or
arbitration accepted by the corpora
tions If the demands Of the teleg-
raohers could be Sustained by such a
presentation.
"t,br the telegraphers of Richmond,
and Of the entire country, l accept
the duty imposed. and the opportunity
thus afforded to place ourselves pc
fore the tribunal which has never yet
been proven false or Incompetent
the people.
The Grievances
"The telegraphers last June, accord
ing to the constitution OF their union
and by vote OF every local part thereoi'
authorized and instructed their pres
ident. Sylvester j. Small. and his otfi-
cial associates to present to the man
acements of the two telegraph corpo-
rations. the western Union and the
Postal Telegraph and Cable Goinpa.
nies. d request that five subjects oil
interest and Importance to the teieg-
raphers be considered and adjusted
These five grievances We're as follo"s
a. An eight hour work day.
~. An increase in compensation Tor
services rendered by the telesr .,a.
and contemplating the equalization OF
such com rensatlon in accordance with
the service performed.
..s. The corporatlonstto furnish type
| writer's required for the conduct OF
! their business.
a. The abolishment of the sliding
| scale of salaries.
"5. curtailment in the compulsory
compliance by the telegraphers with
| private rules of the. corporations Ehicil,
l to a considerable extAnt, have annulled
| the civil and legal rights of the en-
| ployes.
"At the last June meeting of the
Western Union board of directors = IN
New York that body declined TO even
receive from our officials a statemen,
lsin Which these grievances were SCI
/ forth and their adjustment requested
They denied that we had any griev-
ances. and challenged us thMeby %
obtain redress through the tonlE other
i means at our commando strike.
How 1t Came About.
1. "a walkout by the telesraphers OF
/ San Francsco--a purely local affair
1 followed, and was adjusted by ms
/ agreement of the two corporations te
4 arbitrate the grievances at issue a
/ that point, and to reinstnte all former
| employees without prejudice Boil
4 corporations completely violated then
i agreement.
"The general strike which now nre-
4 walls was preclptated by the actor
of the California telegraph officials, II
discharging thoroughly nroicien
4 and highly esteemed lekcSFapnelas N
/ Los Angeles, upon the unsupporte,
complaint of woman operator In Sal
| Francisco, that he had used Language
i TO her over the wire which She coul'
not construe as flattering to herself
/ 1t developed, and was proven, tina
/ Operator Ryan, at Los Angeles. hat
said to Mrs. Nichols. at Ean Francisco
i in response to taunt from her as u
his personal character. that he believet
his character would compare fayorabl,
4 with hers. Mrs. Nichols had remained
at work during the San Francisco
4 strike, and the officials Of that ofllc'
showed their appreciation by granting
her request for Ryan's discharge.
!. All struck.
'All of the telegraphers Mt Lo
Angeles resisted this demonstration
by striking. Tho Chicago operators
: disappointed at the action of the cor
poratlon arrangements In New Yorl
to even receive presentation Of thei
!, grievances. tho bad faith shown b;
the officials in complying with thei
4 agreement In San Francisco, and ap
preciatng the very evident fact ina
4 strike remained the only metho
) OF opening the questions%oi difference
refused ITO work with nonunion sne
: at Los angeles, a complete strike =
: Chicago resulted ~ was immedlaNe'
followed by similar action on lhe par