Los Angeles herald., 1907-08-11


Rejecting peace proposals of the
Western Union the striking telegraph
ers have prepared demands upon the
corporation. 1t is only by the granting
of these, say the men, that the company
can induce the strikers to return.
The demands include
The eight-hour day.
A 25 per cent increase on all salaries
affected by the recent 10 per cent raise.
The reinstatement of the members of
the union discredited by the company,
including j. e. Ryan.
That operators shall not be compelled
to work on a wire operated Mt the otner
end by a strike-brcaker.
The demands will be presented
through an intermediary.
The meeting at which these steps
' were decided upon was wildly enthus-
iastic. With the refusal of the pro-
posal to leave Ryan's case to arbitra-
tion ts,e cheering lasted for minutes
and could be heard far on the surround
ing streets.
The unions action puts new face
on the situation. 1t is probable that
Ethelbert Stewart of the department of
commerce and labor will be asked to
present the demands to the company's
officials.
With the arrival here of a federal
representative, acting for Commits
sioner Neill, encouraging kilograms
from strikers elsewhere, an offer of a
$1,000, 900 loan from the Order of Rail-
road Telegraphers, the local body sees
only general sympathy and good will.
During the day a tender was made to
them by the local management of the
Western Union which provoked the ire
Of the strikers. 1t involved humilfa-
tion for Night Chief f. e. Nye, while
the case of discharged Operator Ryan
was to be referred to arbitrators.
Not only was this promptly rejected
but counter demands were maze on the
telegraph company.
Full Demands
These in substance were as follows:
1. That ]. E. Ryan be reinstated.
@ That E. E. Nye be reinstated to
his former position as night chief
operator
2. That H. j. Thompson be rein
stated as night traffic chief operator.
4. That V. r. Brogdon be reinstated
to his former position of managers
clerk
S. That all former operators be re-
instated to their former positions
without prejudice or discrimination
now or in the future) the same day
simultaneously.
G. That 25 per cent increase on all
salaries affected by the 10 per cent in
crease of March II, 1907, be granted, to
take effect Immediately upon adoption of
this schedule; provided, however, that
where this per cent of increase does not
make the amount end in zero or the
amount nearest shall prevail.
T. That operators here be not com
pelled to work with strike breakers at
the other end of any wire during strike.
g. That the eight-hour law prevail
(a) That a day trick shall consist of
on nf ~ n
utes lunch relief shall be given not earlier
than 7:05 a. m. and not later than 9:05
a. m.
(b). That a night split trick shall con-
sist of ~ hours and that no operator
shall be compelled to report more than
twice in twenty-four hours.
g. That the company shall furnish type
writer's free.
Gen. Frank c. Prescott, an old operator,
attended the evening meeting of the oper
ators.
Gen. Prescott forsook the key twenty
years ago to study the law He urged the
operators to be sure that they were right,
then stick to it.
T. The Rejected Proposition
Following this talk Chairman ]. H..
Kennedy read the proposition which was
submitted during the day by the Western
Unions manager, r. H Miller through
Commissioner Stewart. 1t was as fol-
lows:
All former employees to be rein
stated without prejudice to former
positions and salaries, except Mr.. e.
70. Nye, who will be re-employed as
late night chief operator at 500 per
month.
Mr.. Brogdon to be reinstated or given
position as operator at ST. at his
option
The case of Mr.. Ryan to be taken up
either by himself or committee of en-
ployes acting for him, after resump-
tion of work, under terms of the Glow
ry letter of June 20 to Commissioner
Neill. and if necessary arbitrated
urder the terms of that letter
n Mr.. Ryan justifies himself he is to
! ssvvs savaJs fcontinued on Page TwO1