New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-07-17
COTS PUT IN By ". I
PREPARES FOR STRIKE.
Photographers H'W Ask Health
Officer to RemOUe Beds.

OUlCCT ~ hGHOCC DCUc'
The New York telegraphers received no order
70 strike against the Western Union and Postal
Telegraph companies up 10 last night but the
Western Union began late in the afternoon TO
prepare for a possible strike. Two vans. one
containing fifty cots and the other fifty mat
tresses, were driven up TO the Dey street en-
trance Of the main Western Union offices, and
the cots and mattresses were taken into the
building and slowed away.
A representative OF the company said he knew
nothing about the cots mattresses but 1t
was learned that fifty more of each will arrive
to-day.
LAS far as 1 can see" he said. "the strike sit
uation has been growing less menaciDg. 1 really
do not know what the beds for. They may
be for the kitchen help"
The officers OF Local 16 of the Commercial
Telegraphers' Union who were at the headquar-
tiers OF the local. at No. SO Pine street. got
word Of the arrival Of the cots and mattresses.
President Ahearn said that complaint would
be made 10 the Board Of Health to-day.
THE company has right to make lodging
house Of fits Offices" said a member of the exec
utive committee.
President Ahearn said with reference to the
situation with the Western Union company:
I'VE are ready to obey the strike order when
Il comes, but we will hope for peace 10 the last
The Western Union Company Is still carrying
out fits policy of discriminating against -Four
OF our men have been suspended within the
last few days. and csss man who has been as
signed to Z hotel for about fifteen years has
been summarily transferred to less remunera-
tive position. We are ready 10 obey the strike
order promptly when ii comes"
President Ahearn said that he could prove
that w E. Demarest, who was accused OF being
a detective and was elected from the headquar-
tiers Of the union after signing his resignation
was a Pinkerton man.
The following notice, signed by President
Ahearn was posted up at union headquarters:
ITO All Members: 1t Is absolutely necessary
IN view of our recent experience with w. T.
Deularest the Pinkerton spy, TO request you not
10 congregate In the local headquarters. There
are other persons under surveillance, anQ you
will help us to rid the organization OF these
VAMPIRES by keeping the rooms clear do not
talk for publication. Be careful or all persons
interested in our affairs with no visible means
OF support. .,.
superintendent Thornhil of the Pinkerton
detective agency said that there was no man
Inv the name OF Demarest in the employ OF the
agency. -
In such cases." he said with a smile. they
always saw # is a Pinkerton detective"
At the offices of both the Western Union and
Postal companies il also stated that they
had no employee named Demarest
The following telegram received by Mr.. Ahearn
from S. ]. Small, national president, was made
public:
Announce positively that both companies are
more embarrassed now than day Of strike.
State officials. public. chambers Of commerce
and federal officials OF prominence our syTnpa-
th!zers.''
AS a reply 10 the statements made by the
telegraphers since the strike IN San Francisco.
the following official statement made on
behalf Of the Postal Telegraph company:
The company submits as the strongest refutation
Of the false statements OF the striking employees
that they have been undergrad the following sum-
mary of its San Francisco main Office payroll for
May. the month preceding the strike: The average
wage paid photographers for the month SIP 81,
average rate of 4isl cents an hour. The
highest class men paid at the rate of 500 a
month. These men drew an average OF Sl3l each
for the month. the highest drawing sl5S II. the
lowest SIG ST. the average being at the rate OF
81 cents hour.
The next grade of telegraphers is rated at s93 81
month. These averaged SIS 80 each the maxi
pay being 1913 49, the minimum S94 80, and
The average pay hour &c 40 cents.
The third class is rated at SIS month each. and
earned average OF s1O6 So each. ranging from
SIS to sl35 S., the average pay an hour being Il
cents.
Five other operators whose monthly rating was
from s66 TO SIS earned average Of SS4 81, theiI
average pay being within a fraction Of 81 cents
hour.
President Ahearn said last night that Thomas
Curry Tammany leader for the 18th District
had given 81 1000 to the strike fund of the
telegraphers.
San Francisco, July 16.-Members of the teleg-
raphers union. according TO those in a position
10 know would be willing TO compromise in the
matter Of an increase Of wages and accept d
20 per cent increase instead of % per cent. On
the other hand should the officials Of the com
pauy remain firm in their refusal to treat with
the striking operators the local executive COM
1llittee will insist that operators in other parts
Of the country be ordered out
II was announced that pending further nego'
tiations by President Small of the telegraphers
organization and the United States Labor Com
missioner no action would be taken In tho mat
ter of calling out the operators in other cities
<----
ARMY MEN TO SEE "sHERIDAN's RIDE
Knowing that "Sheridan's Ride will interes
srrr- officers and men, Mr. Pain has invited thos
attached 70 the various forts in and about thu
CIV 20 he his guests at the exhibition tomorrow