The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1907-09-05

(This newspaper has received
the following human document
from a veteran telegraph operator
| now on strike, with a request that
it be published as typical of the
condition of the vast majority of
telegraph operators who. demand
better treatment from the 2 COM
panies comprising the telegraph
trust.
This is a remarkable sidelight
upon the vital question of increased
cost of living in the United States.)
Dear Sir--In view of the fact
that the public knows very little of
the reasons back of the present
telegraphers' strike. will you do me
the favor of giving publicity to an
account of my life, which is typical
of my brothers.
| am 46 years old, an expert OPP
orator, and have been traffic chief.
have worked for the Postal COM
pany now for II years. continuous
ly, and never had an increase of
pay until last spring, when the
union forced the companies to
grant a 10 per cent increase to key
men. In my case the failure to in
crease my salary MAS sProbably the
more notable for the reason that
had received promotion, and was
in charge of a large number of
men and had important additional
responsibilities as traffic chief. 1t
was even more notable, however,
on account of the fact that the
company failed for Is months to
give an increase which was volun-
tarily promised, when the increase
of responsibilities was added.
Seventeen years ago | earned $75
a month for 912 hours work, with
privilege of working overtime. With
the exception of the 10 per cent in
crease, of which l have spoken, my
earnings are the same today as
when | began.
Perhaps ] ought to say first that
| never have worked for more, than
3 concerns in my life, the Erie
railroad, with whom | began as a
boy of 13. and was an operator at
II, handling railroad messages; a
brokers' Office, and the Postal COM
pany. For the latter concern | have
worked continuously for II years
without a days vacation, and with
out the loss of a day by sickness or
dissipation. The present strike
gives me the first rest | have had
during this period.
But you should understand I
have not been doing the ordinary
91a hour day all this time. | would
not be able to get aiong on SIS a
month. have wife and 3 chill
dren, and it costs too much to live.
Consequently, | have done what
most operators do, worked evenings
and nights enough overtime to
bring my salary up to about 500 a
month. This means getting in 10
days overtime In a month. They
count Z hours of night service a
day. and pay at the regular day
rate. That means, of course, that
a man gives up his evenings, and
often a part of his night, to the
key, working from IL to IA hours
day.
How do live? I will tell you. In
order to be in the city and within
reach of business-which is neces-
say-I rent house for which
pay $35 a month. 1t isn't much OF
a house, and the neighborhood
would not be considered swell, but
it answers very well. But | can't
stand that rent, so | sub-rent some
of the rooms, thus reducing the
rent to S25 aDmonth That's near
ly quarter of my income, but it is
the best that can be done.
My wife finances the house. We
have a girl of 10. another Of 8 and
a boy of 6. | guess our chief ex-
pense is food We feel that children
have to be fed heartily, and | have
to have meat to work my long
hours. So we have meat once day.
We have good meat and all kinds,
beef, lamb, stews, chickens and
such like. But we have had to cut
out chickens. and steaks this year
They are too high. And the last
roast of beef we had my wife said
il would not do. 1t cost 1925, and
made only ] meal. For breakfast
we have eggs, oatmeal, cocoa,
bread and coffee. Lunch is a sort
OF pick up meal. We are cranks
on never running bills, and we pay
cash for everything.
And how do we come out? Have
saved anything? | will tell you.
Every year, up to about 6 years
ago, we saved little something.
But for the last years we have
not saved cent. The boy had a
serious illness, and the savings
went for doctors bills. So here I
am at the end of II years, with less