Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Marion County, 20 July 1883 — Page 2

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not yet received an indication that their interests or salaries, which they deem wholly inadequate, are to be improved.” The Brotherhood of Telegraphers has a general statistician, also a local statistician in nearly every city and town in the United States and Canada. Complete statistics have been gathered, ami show the following general averages of wages paid at the present time. The average pay for commercial operators in the United States i5554.43 per month; average for commercial operators of Canada 19 $37.49 per month; average of railroad operators in the United States is $39.50: average for railroad operators in Canada is $29.12. It should be borne in mind that operators are not allowed extra compensation for Sunday work, and that railroad operators at stations where but one is employed are required to work from fourteen to sixteen hours per day, and on many roads are required to sleep in or convenient to their offices, so that they may be called to receive orders for delayed, and obtain help for wrecked trains. These calls on many roads are of frequent occurrence. SURVEYING THE FIELD. A survey of the field at 1 o’clock revealed some striking changes in the state of affairs. An unusual number of people blocked the entrances to the Western Union building. This crowd was composed of curiosity-seek-ers. strikers, business men and messenger boy# in about equal numbers. There was no use for the policemen who had been summoned, the men that left being perfectly good tempered, and evincing no disposition to interfere with those who remained or to make trouble of any sort. Many of the operators sought their headquarters, on Cortlandt street, and it. being a fine day. many went off to the sercoast. It was a common expression that they would take their summer vacation in the Catskills. In the general office on the third floor nobody was to be seen save messengers and one or two clerks. The reason of this was learned during a visit to the operating room, where were found Jay Gould, General Eckert and General Superintendent Tinker. Assistant General Manager Bates and others of the general officers, who were making a tour of the room and of the gold and stock department. They gave valuable aid and advice, and expressed themselves much pleased that the situation was no worse. As one of the officials remarked: ‘Tt looked, an hour ago. as if a sleet storm had struck the wires, but now it seems to have been merely a rain storm.” An actual count of operators showed 15G at work. Os these quite a number were girls, and some were employes who had not for some time served at the wires. A few inquiries addressed to the men who remained elicited the fact that many of them had been in the last strike, and did not care to hazard their chances in another. They were, for the most part, the older grade of operators. The messenger boys and girls remained, and were flitting about as usual, none having left. A large majority of the Wheatstone operators remained. Out of 110 ladies employed, Manager lVuly estimated that about twenty had left their places. The night force consists of from eighty to one hnndrad operators, and it is expected by the manager that not less than forty will appear for duty to-night. One of the officers of the company, who has most feared the results of a strike, said: “We shall have a hard time, but we shall get through. So far, it is much better than J anticipated.” A general order has been issued from the Western Union office, stating that ail business will be accepted, subject to delay.

ST. LOUIS. Business Moving Forward with Almost Its Usual Cslcritp St. Loris, July 19.—Fifty-four of the seventy-five operators of the day force on duty in the Western Union telegraph office left their instruments promptly at 12 o’clock. New York time, quietly left the building, and marched in procession to the hall which they will make their headquarters during the strike. There was no special manifestations of feeling on the part of the operators as they filed out of the office, but several of the older employes of the company evidently left with much regret. Os the number who abandoned their posts, about one-half were women and girls. Those who did not join the strikers quietly remained at their instruments, and in ten minutes the flurry was over and the office was again ready for business. Tne force now in the office numbers about fifty, and business 13 moving with reasonable celerity to all the chief trade centers of the country, excepting New Orleans, which has not yet been heard from. Fully sixty-five operators can be mustered here for work, and this office may bivregarded as well manned and able to transact all business offered. Os the regular night force of thirty-three operators employed in this office, only seven reported forauty this evening, but. notwithstanding this, the office is more than fully manned, there being upwards of forty operators at work to-night, and all classes of business is moving with the usual promptness. Manager Brown says that, so far as St. Louis is concerned, the strike is a failure. All the vacancies made by the strikers have been filled, and he really has more operators than he can use. As proof of this, he cites the fact that two firt-c!nss operators were sent to Chicago to-night, and more can be sent if needed. On the other hand, the strikers appear hopeful and buoyant. M. I). Shaw, secretary of the executive committee of the Brotherhood. said that fifteen more operators went out this noon than he expected, and that a number were initiated into the Brotherhood this afternoon.

WASHINGTON. Ten Men us th* Day Force Vacate Their Place*—The Office Not Sertoualy Crippled. Washington, July 19.— At 1 p. m. to-day ten men of the Western Union Telegraph Company’s day force In the Washington office had stopped work. Niue were yet in the office, but Manager Whitney was not sure all would remain, but he hoped they would. Nearly all the members of the night force are congregated on the sidewalk at or near the office. The members of the Brotherhood connected with the Baltimore & Ohio company are out, as well as those of the Rapid company. An active officer of the Brotherhood is authority for the statement that no strike is to be apprehended from operators working wires leased by brokers, newspapers or private individuals, where sdch operators are employed and paid by lessees, unless an attempt is made by the Western Union company to utilize these operators in handling matter not connected With the business of such private Arms. An authoritative statement frbm a striker representing the case from their stand-point, IS premeditated, and will probably be given out this afternoon. Manager Whitney Bays he has sufficient force to handle ajl business offering thus far, and is confident of being able to continue to handle if. Nine of the day force in the Western Union maip ofiice worked through the day, and it is understood five of these promised to return to work to-morrow, Nearly all, if not nil the .branch offices are closed this , fternoon. I'hree members of the regular night force, beside fflght Managed Young, reported for duty to-nigbt, and the manager l.n.- other assistance, but what it is cannot be tsiTrtainjfl. The day and night fjjree of the Wes tern' Union main office consists of about

twenty men each. When tiie day force went otf duty the wires were nearly clear, only about fifty messages remaining on file. At the American Rapid office the manager and one operator remain on duty, and six men have struck. A telegraph operator, who announces himself as one of the officers of the local organization of the Brotherhood, and authorized to speak officially, communicates the following information: “The rumor which was spread abroad soon after the strike began, that a ft-lse announcement of the death of General Grant was the signal for the operators to strike, is untrue; the order to strike was prepared last night.” CHICAGO. Forty Operators Remain with the Company—No Serious Delay Expected. Chicago, July 19.—At 12 o’clock, Washington time, the main body of the army of operators in the Western Union office in this city went out on their strike. It is estimated that more than one hundred operators went out. There was some cheering as they filed out, but nothing' boisterous. Outside the building a great crowd had gathered to witness the departure of the operators, and there was some cheering as the head of the column of strikers made its appearance. The operators at once marched from &e scene to the headquarters of the union, to deliberate. When the operating-room had been cleared, it was found that forty operators were still at their desks, exclusive of twenty-one chief operators and officials. The full effect of the strike cannot be stated at this wiring, as there is a natural confusion anticipated by the officials, growing out of the large exodus: hut it is expected the office will be in lair working condition by nightfall. The Wheatstone system of the company is in full operation. by which all New York business can be taken care of. Colonel Clowry has advices to the effect that the Omaha, St. Louis and Cincinnati offices are in fair shape, and will be able to work along with reduced forces.

Shortly after the strikers had left the building, the operators from the outside began to make their appearance in the operating room, and were given places. The officials now confidently assert that, with the force now at their command, and with a certain prospect of new men, the public business can be handled without serious friction. 5 p. m. —The situation in this city growing out of the strike of telegraphers showed no material change as the day wore on, save that the working force in the Western Union office became gradually enlarged, and at 5 o’clock in the afternoon ninety men were busy at the keys. Tne night force had not yet reported for dnty. and the officials had no data to guide them in estimating the number which would remain loyal to the company. None of the chief operators abandoned their posts, and no one holding official or sub-offi-cial rni’k in the Chicago office went out with the strikers. Viewing the situation from the stand-point of the great strike of 1870, when every operator quitted the office, Col. dowry is confident the company has already carried its point, and that the strikers will be disoomhtted. Superintendent Clowry had also received advices from St. Louis. Omaha. Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Miuneappolis and San Francisco, which indicated an utmost similar condition of affairs, and that all these main distributing points will be able to handle the business without any material delay. The additions to the working force in this city mainly came from outlying country towns. The B. & O. Company was badly crippled by desertions from its office, and* made no attempt to transact business during the day. During the afternoon the striking members of the Brotherhood held a meeting at their hall, but transacted little business, the time being consumed in hearing reports from outside districts. The strikers claim to be confident the company will have to accede to their demands, and contend that while the company is making a show of having a force on hand, it is made up largely of unskilled men, who cannot care for the business properly.^ At the railroad offices everything went along as usual, all employes remaining at their posts. All the hotel offices are closed, and persons making inquiries are directed to the principal office of the telegraph company. No disturbances of any nature growing out of the strike, were reported during the day.

CINCINNATI. Thirty Operators at Work—Other Offices in the District Not Crippled. Cincinnati, July 19.—The telegraph operators’ strike at the main office of the Western Union Company occurred at 11:30. At that hour the local chief of the Brotherhood gave the signal, three raps on his desk. The signal was obeyed by all the members of the Brotherhood rising and going immediately out. There was no confusion and no excitement. Only about half a dozen of the working force remained at their desks. Others will soon be put on. At the main office of the Baltimore & Ohio every operator went out, and business was wholly suspended. The same thing occurred at the main office of the Mutual Union. On ’Change no messages were received or sent by either of the three companies having offices there. At the Western Union office a guard was immediately placed to prevent outsideis entering the operating-room, and all operators about the office were sent to duty up stairs. Notice had previously been given to all operators not members of the Brotherhood to come in in case of a strike. A number of responses have been made already, and a force of over thirty of>erators is now oil duty. Superintendent Miller says this is the only office in his district seriously crippled; but that but one operator struck at Columbus, while Dayton, .Springfield and other points have full working forces. The offices of the B. & O. telegraph and Mutual Union attempted to send no business to-night. At the Western Union, notice was nosted that messages would be received, subject to delay in transmission. This served to restrict the amount of business offered, but at night all matter had been disposed of, except where the necessary offices could not take it. To-night Superintendent Miller says ha is surprised at the situation. He has as many as he needs, and has sent some home, but expects more to-morrow. All press matter received here, including specials, has been handled promptly. The striking operators have been conspicuous for gentlemanly behavior. When they left the room it was in the most orderly manner, with not the least indication of spite or illfeeling. Their conduct on the streets was equally exemplary. They say they will use efforts to obtain as many of the company’s force to join the Brotherhood as possible, and claim to have already captured some who were working this afternoon. PITTSBURG. So Interruption of Business Save a Little Delay in Dispatching* Pittsburg, July 19.—The telegraphers’ strike jvas inaugurated at 11:47 this morning. At a given signal every member of the Brotherhood quitting work and coming out of the several offices, formed procession ami marched to headquarters, where a meeting was held. A canvass of the offices a few minutes later found fifteen men at work in the Western Union, three in the Baltimore &

THE INDIANAPOLIS JOURNAL, FRIDAY, JULY 20, ISSS.

! Ohio, one in the American Rapid, and none in the Mutual Union. The number of men who came out is as follows: Western Union, sixty-seven; American Rapid, sixteen; Baltimore A Ohio, seven; Mutual Union, four. The Western Union are receiving business as usual, and Manager Lloyd says that beyond the delay there will be no interruption. He claims that within the next twenty-four hours the force will be increased materially. The Baltimore Si Ohio is also receiving, while the Mutual Union and American Rapid are rufusing everything, including United Press matter. The strike created great excitement, and the street in front of the telegraph offices was thronged all day. At 10 o’clock to-night the force at work at the Western Union had been increased to thir-ty-two operators, and the manager said he would have several more to-morrow. In the Baltimore A Ohio, Mutual Union and American Rapid offices there wits no change, and all except the Baltimore & Ohio were renaming business. BALTIMORE. The Superintendent Thinks AU Business Cun Be Managed. Baltimore, JuU 19.—At the main office of the Western Union Company eleven of the day force left. It is not yet known how many have left the branch offices. At 1:30 p. t. there were twelve operators at work in the main office, and the superintendent is of the opinion that he can call in a sufficient number, probably twenty-eight in all, to handle all messages coming in. In the B. & 0. eight operators are at work, and their lines are kept open at points along the line of the B. AO. These operators are receiving railroad matter, but refusing all commercial business When the strike took place at the Corn and Flour Exchange, business was immediately suspended, and as the men walked from the instruments of the Western Union and the Baltimore & Ohio offices, there was an open manifestation of sympathy from the members of the exchange. From the American Rapid nine men left, leaving a few female operators. AT OTHER POINTS. Employes of the Providence Office Decline to Engage in a Strike. Pkovidkncb, R.. L s July 19.—Every man of the Providence Western Union office is at his post, and will remain there. Business is being forwarded to all offices, excepting the larger cities, with the usual promptness. The usual commercial news for the Board of Trade is received, jpmd communication is had with all offices, but business is necessarily somewhat suspended. Cleveland Cleveland, July 19.—The Western Union is constantly filling vacancies at the operating tables, accepting all business a3 presented, and expects to be in the usual working condition within twenty-four hours. The American Rapid office is closed to businsss. The Mutual Union force not affected. The Western Union Company, by making a temporary draft on other departments, has more operators at work to-night than is customary, and handles all business presented where it has connections. Most of the old operators living here, who were in the strike of 18G9, are working the keys to-night, some remaining in their own places, and others volunteering to take the place of strikers. Only two who were in that strike are in this.

Louisville. Louisville, July 19.—’ The telegraph operators here all struck at 12 o’clock, New York time. The Baltimore & Ohio office 13 deserted. Os over thirty in the Western Union four remained, but five additional have already been secured, and more will come this afternoon. The Western Union say it will transact all necessary business. The situation as regards the striking operators remains unchanged. The Western Union main office is the only one in the city open to-night, some ten operators having been secured. Business was seriously cramped this afternoon, and the bucket-shops and commission men will close till Monday. ItOMtOU. Boston, July 19.—The working force of the Western Union telegraph office in this city now consists of about fifty operators, comprising officials, clerks, office boys who have been pressed into the service, and two operators who did not join the strikers. Four wires are in operation between Boston and New York, and some business is being done over other Naw England wires* Toledo, Ohio. Toledo, 0., July 19.—The tclesraphers’ strike involves all but six of the Western Union operating force here. The men retired from the offices simultaneously with those at other points, and without demonstration of any kind. Their places were partially supplied with little delay, and business has been kept moving without serious interruption. The railroad offices are not affected.. New Haven. New Haven, July 19.— Three of the best operators of the Western Union Telegraph Company struck at noon, but by closing the branches in the city, the main office has sufficient operators for ordinary business. All the Rapid company’s operators not belonging to the Brotherhood are at work, but are instructed to refuse all messages for New York. Philadelphia. Philadelphia, July 19.—The telegraph office was not entirely depleted, and a small force, which has been somewhat increased by a call upon some of the members of the night force, is now at work. Superintendent Zeudlin stuted that the office is now able to transact business fairly well, if there is a force of proportionate size at other places. Atlantic City. Atlantic City, X. J., July 19.—Robert Garrett, of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company, left here by special car at 7 this morning. He had no conference with the committee of telegraph operators. Operators who were to have arrived last night having missed connecting trains, Garrett telegraphed he would meet them in New' York. Kan has City. Kansas City, July 19.— At the signal given at 12 o’clock, at the Western Union office thirty-one operators of the day force quit work and twenty remained, of whom nine are women. Six of the night men reported for day duty, and four extra men were also obtained. Worcester, Mass. Worcester, Mass., July 19.—A1l the men in the Western Union office, w'ith a single exception, struck. All the men in the Rapid office struck. Milwaukee. Milwaukee, July * 19. —About sixty operators struck here, leaving Manager Weller and his four chiefs at the wires. Ail quiet. Detroit. Detroit, July 19. —The majority of the telegraph operators of the Western Union office in this city at 11:30 a. m. quietly left

their desks. A small force remained, which is disposing of the business in the best manner possible under the circumstances. • Augusta, Ga. Augusta. Ga., July 19.—Fourteen Western Union operators struck to-day, at noon, including two number clerks. Five available men are at the keys. The branch-office operators up town at the Planters’ Hotel are also gone. All quiet and orderly. Toronto. Toronto. July 19.—About sixty operators and clerks in the Great Northwestern Telegraph Company’s office here struck at noon to-dny. There is disaffection also at other points along the lines. The vacated situations are being rapidly filled. Chattanooga. Chattanooga, July 19.—At 5:30 i\ m. two operatives out of thirteen employed here notified the manager that they would cease work. Business is going ahead unimpeded. Petersburg, Va. Petersburg, Va., July 19.—Only one operator in the Western Union office went out, and work goes on as usuaL THE COMMITTEE’S INSTRUCTIONS. The Strike Ordered by a Delegate Convention Months Ago. Washington, July 19.—At the some time the letter to General Eckert was drawn up it was communicated to the Brotherhood—before 7 o’clock this morning—by means of the ordinary cipher. The executive committee of the Brotherhood has not the autocratic authority attributed to them. They nave been acting within the instructions which were formulated by the convention of delegates held some months ago in Washington. The only discretion to be exercised by them previous to inaugurating the strike was in the matter of the date on which the bill of grievances should be presented to the companies, and this discretion was limited to tiie time between June 15 and Aug. 15. The paper would have been presented on the 15th inst. but for the reason that the day was Sunday. The following day, Monday 16th, was accordingly selected. It was part of the instructions of the executive committee that in case the demands of the Brotherhood were not conceded within forty-eight lioors after presentation of the bill of grievances, a strike should follow. It was contemplated* that notification to this effect should accompany the document-, but the committee were more conservative than their instructions, and no threat nor limitation of time for a reply accompanied it. After the strike should begin, however, the entire management of it was vested in the executive committee. They have power to order its discontinuance if they deem it advisable, and such order will be obeyed. Nothing else will end the strike except the disintegration of the Brotherhood.

BEFORE THE STRIKE. Sceues in the Western Union Operating Room on Wednesday. New York Special. Hundreds of people in Broadway watched the falling of the time-ball on the Western Union building to-day, and awaited the departure from the building of the hundreds of men employed there, but no unusual circumstance occurred, the traffic of the office went on through the open doors of the basement, and blue-coated messenger boys flew' hither and thither. The scene in the Western Uuion operating room as the hour of 12 o’clock approached was interesting. Few seats were vacant at the tables, which cover the gallery and main floor of the great room in the seventh story, which extends on the Dey-street side to the entire depth of the building. Each fable is quartered by intersecting glass partitions and equipped with instruments for roar operators. In the northeastern corner of the room are the automatic Wheatstone instruments of English invention, with which the Western Union is experimenting, and at many of these young women are working, receiving, the other operators say, no salary until they become expert in the use of the instrument. The entire number of operators at work was 473, of whom 160 were women, nearly all young. Nineteen Wheatstone operators were at work. Messengers moved rapidly back and forth between the tables and the great crane-like pneumatic tubes which arch above an inclosed space on the north side of the room. A decided uneasiness became evident among the operators as 12 o’clock approached. Many faces were turned toward the entrance, and every person who entered or departed was closely scrutinized. The operators cast frequent glances toward the clocks and toward each other. The minute hand slowly moved up to 12 o’clock, and the time-ball out on the tower of the building fell. It was apparently the signal for a discordant chorus of steam whistles. The operators remained quietly in their seats, and the smile which many faces wore did not for a moment interrupt business. The Attitude of the Company, interview with Mr. Terry. The committee will meet to-morrow, and if any of the company’s operators shall present complaints in regard to pay or hours of service, the committee will consider them carefully. I do not know that there exists any cause of complaint, but if it should be shown that there is anything wrong in the service, the committee will do its utmost to correct and remedy it. We are not a committee of conference, however, and shall have nothing to do with the self-styled committee of telegraphers. If the employes of the Western Union company appear before us. they will obtain .an impartial hearing, but we have nothing to do with outsiders. This committee of telegraphers is composed of outsiders, of whom the company know nothing at all. Two or three of them only are in the service of the company. As to the probabilities of a strike I can say nothing, because I really know nothing about it. I think the operators will make a great mistake if they do strike. They have overrated their strength, but apparently do not realize the fact. This whole movement is merely an exaggeration of an imaginary grievance, an agitation outside the company and not within it, and, moreover, tainted with Wall street speculation. Oh. no; I have no absolute reason for entertaining that suspicion, and it w 9 not even suggested at the meeting to-day; but the movement certainly originated outside of the Western Union Company. If a strike should take place, the first step of the company, I suppose, would be to close a hundred offices in this city. There are in ail 125 offices. This would result in some inconvenience to the public, of course, but the reduction of tin* branch offices would be made so as to disturb customers as little as possible. It would relieve the company greatly, however, and cause little delay in the transmission of dispatches. This policy would be followed, I think, in all the large cities. One result of a strike would be to remove from the company a lot of worthless timber which has been kept in the service for one reason or other. I hope, however. t there will be no strike, for the telegraphers willcertuinly he defeated. A prominent member of the executive committee said after the meeting: “We will not make a general advance of 1 per cent.

even, to say nothing of 15 per cent. The sub-committee was appointed to correct any irregularities which might exist, but as to a general advance not a farthing will we give. Why, there is an army of operators gathering now. They are coming from everywhere.” The Chicago Office ou Wednesday. Chicago Special. The scene in the Western Union operating department at 11 o’clock, the hour at which it was generally supposed the great strike would occur, was not different from that of any other day. The chief operators, five in number, having charge of the enormous switch-board where center the vast number of wires entering the office, were at their work, putting in a plug here, taking out anther there, and hurrying the boys around the great operating-room with verbal or written messages to assistant chiefs. The quartet tables were generally occupied, and each operator working industriously and apparently with no thought of the impending crisis. Here and there a man would stand up, lean carelessly on the end of the table and exchange a knowing smile with some brother operator. The business handled was evidently as great as on ordinary days. The office manager stood at his desk, calm, cool and collected. If he expected trouole, his countenance did not show it. The superintendent entered the operating department soon after 11 o’clock. Electricians and heads of other departments dropped into the operating-room to seethe fun. if any took place. At noon rumors were floating around tiie operating department to the effect that the hour for tiie strike hail been extended to 2 o’clock, New York time, which would be 1 o’clock at Chicago. Its source could not be determined definitely, but it is thought to have originated in tiie*Baltimore and Ohio office, through which the Brotherhood messages come. One o’clock came and went, and 2 o’clock approached, still there were no signs of a strike. During the lunch hour men discussed the situations with more surprise than anxiety. None could make it out or explain the delay. Returning from lunch they took their places at the wires with rather a disappointed air, as though they had expected a holiday ami failed to get it. The manager and his corps of assistants were evidently not surprised at the chairs beingstill filled and business moving rapidly. Fewer operators stood up at the tables in order to possess themselves of all the information obtainable, but remained seated with rather an air of resignation and a determination to await results, not being too anxious to know things before they happened.

THE BROTHERHOOD. List Showing the Distribution of the Membership. Louisville Commercial. The telegraph companies will have to contend with one of the most powerful organizations in the country, which will be seen by the following table showing the full strength of the Brotherhood: Pittsbnrsr 530(Augusta, Ga 33 Philadelphia 423](.'lutttano4>ga 92 Chicago 700 Columbus, 0 160 Bt. Lotus 178 Dayton, 0 40 New York GGo Atlanta, Ga 159 Cincinnati ~.189; New Haven, Conn.. 28 Baltimore 292 Utica, N. Y 15 Richmond, Va 65] Hartford 58 Brooklyn 185 Nashville 75 Oil City 175 Memphis 36 Buffalo 192 Springfield, Mass... 27 Boston 229;Rochester 53 Cleveland ...220 Louisville 110 Toledo 45(Toronto 267 Washington 43; Portland, Me 91 Peoria 561 Jersey Cuv 139 Omaha 30. Indianapolis 165 Albany, N.Y 541 Mont real 134 Newßruuswick,N.J. 40 St. Paul 43 St. Joseph, Mo 30 Hamilton, Out 34 Dover, N. J 29 Detroit 49 Kansas City 5o Port Huron, Mieu... 75 Newark 65 East Saginaw 26 Galveston 21 New York (linemen).276 New Orleans 75 Scranton, Pa 60 Montgomery, Aia... 15 Bethlehem, Pa 16 Readiug, Pa 60 Howellsvilie, U. T... 11 Milwaukee 40 St, Johns, N. B 27 Mauoh Chunk 78 Allentown. Pa 15 London, Out 45 Savannah, Ga 4< Bradford, Pa 77 Jacksonville, Fla 19 Trenton 60 Salamanca, U. T 40 Barrie, Out. 31 Quebec 38 Brampton, Out 15 Du lias, Tex 30 Guelph. Out 30 Riviere do Loup 39 Stratford, Out 15 Cambellton. Neb 30 Byracuse 80 Moncton, Neb 78 Topeka 52 Wllkosburre, Pu 35 Birmingham, Ala.. 30 Providence, R 1 19 Charleston, 8. C 40 Elizabeth, N.J 31 Ottawa 54 South Am hoy, N. J.. 52 BrockviUe, Ont 40 Om 10 Kingston, Ont 27 Sherbrooke, Qu0.... 10 Petersborougli, Our. lO Springfield,4b 30 Belleville, Ont 39 Danville, 111 15 Port Hope, Ont 80 Lynchburg, Va 17 St. Catharines, Out. 25 Cheyenne 35 Easton, Pa 80 Halifax, N. 8 42 Macon, Ga 85]Dunkirk. N. Y 10 Terre Haute 45 1 East Br. Louts 51 Auburn, N.Y 14!Uniu St’kyards, 111. 18 Hagorville, Ont 29 San Fritneisoo 23 Brantford. Out 3ojNew Loudon,Conn.. 12 Worcester, Mass 19Decatur, 111 39 Elmirs, N. Y 36{(Trh*mi, 0 25 Oswego, N. Y 17 Bloomington, ill 25 St. Thomas, Ont 18 Harrisburg, Pa 73 Ogden, Utah 20j Lancaster, Pa. 20 Pottsvllle, Pa 33 Keokuk 16 Georgetown, 00t... 26 Louisiana, Mo 12 Warren, Pa 35; Fitchburg, Maws 13 Jackson, Tenn 16 Camden, N. J 40 Brunswick, Ga lOiOeaYralia, 111 20 Eufala, Ala 15|New Glasgow. N. 8.. 20 North Sydney, N. S.. 20; Duquoiu, ill 20 Cedar Riptds, 1a... 70'Minneapolis 25 Little Rock 15 Columbia, S. C 20 Charlotte, N. C 20 Winnepeg, Man 20 Wilmington, N. C... lOißlsmarck, Dak 20 Pueblo, Col lOjCreokstoii, Miun 10 The above statement gives a total membership of 9,G00, but since it was made large increases in membership have been reported, and the membership at the present rime is close on to 13,000. This includes railroad telegraph operators, who of course will strike along with the commercial operators. Bnt the railroads will not be affected by the strike, as the operators are simply making a strike against the telegraph companies. The railroad operators, although they will remain at their posts, will not handle any of the commercial work of the Western Union or other companies.

The Talk About Securing Now Meu. New York Special. John Mitchell, of the Telegraphers’ Advocate, said: “This talk of the company about filling the places of the men without difficulty is largely bluff*. There is hardly a good operator now out of employment. This is the busiest season of the year with them, the summer resort office** giving employment to a large number. Tiie condition of the ‘hooks’ in the Western Union operating room will show the state of business. They seem to lay a good deal of stress on being able to get the help of operators who are in other branches of business. A large number of railroad men are members of the Brotherhood and will quit work at the signal. Ho far as the bonds are concerned, only ticket-sell-ers are under bonds, and ibat only for their duties as ticket-sellers. Their bonds would not be affected in the least by a refusal to handle Western Union business. There is not a weak-kneed member of the Brother hood. When the signal is given, if it should be necessary to give it, every one, whether in the city or country, will quit work, that is certain. The company can no more depend on the country men to help than it can on the city men.” “How many men are going out?*’ said a reporter to an operator, “Well, I should say that in case a strike is necessary at least 15,000 operators will quit work.” • VIEWS OF A FORMER STRIKER. An official, who is a good practical operator, and who is thoroughly conversant with the movements of tho Brotherhood, said: “Tue operators urea pretty levelheaded lot of fellows, and they are not going

to do anything rash. They have got to mllco a stand some time, and it might as well be now as wiien the business has become still bigger. I was all through the strike of 1870 but that wasn’t a huckleberry to what agers • eral strike would be now. The operators generally know no more about what is going on than yon do. Their affairs are wholly in the hands of their executive committee.” “How large a proportion of the fifteen thousand operators belong to the Brotherhood?” “I should say about eightv-five per cent. They are stronger than the Western Union suppose.” “Have they not demanded a great deal more than they expect in the way of concessions?” “Undoubtedly they have. They will bo satisfied with a return to the old seven-hour basis, the granting of their Sundays, and an advance in their pay. What they ask only puts them back to what they were getting in 1875. when the business did not pay so large profits as now, and when the work was not Half so hard. Then first-class operators were paid SIOO a month, and Sundays and all over seven hours for over-time. At present it is the policy of the Western Union to scale down prices to the lowest possible point, filling first-class places with second and thirdclass operators. There is justice behind the demands of the Brotherhood, and the companies can well afford to pay an advance over the present rates. It was only the other dav that the Western Union announced that it was earning a dividend of 13 per cent, on $80,000,000. If it was to make the advance in wages asked for it would only knock off about $900,000 a year from the profits. It has made ail this out of the operators, and now they think it is their turn to have a chance for at least respectable wages.”

SECRETS OF Tim lUT3INKSS. An Operating: Room Not a Good Place so an Inquisitive Man. Talk with an Old Operator. “A curious man has no right to be a telegrapher,” said he. “We are forbidden to talk about what passes through our hands, and if a man were to try to catch the meaning of the queer and mysterious things he reads, he would have no time for business. I remember once when I was iu Chicago hearing some of the men talking about a big strike that one of the boys made. His name was .Toilit Gilmore, and he is a wealthy New Yorker now; lives on his money and spends it like a lord, has his fast trotters, his servants in liver}', his crip3 abroad, and all that. The way Gilmore got his money, so they say in Chicago, and I never heard of his contradicting it, was this: You are not old enough to remember the vast speculations that tiie war produced, when men bet millions on the result of a battle by buying bonds or gold or cotton, when princely fortnnes were made in an hour and squandered in a day; when beggars rose in a month to Monte Christos, and at the end of another month were beggars again. You can have no conception of the fierceness of speculation; it was something like the war that was raging. Everything those days was sublime. Men speculated like gods, and robbed each other like epic heroes. The mighty conflict that was raging made men distrust everything. Well, in those days cipher dispatches were more in vogue than they are now. Every speculator had a separate kind of cipher for his broker, and half our work was done in this language of shadows. We knew nothing of what we were doing, whether it were a battle won or a market broken; whether it was the nation or the stock market that was paved. Thera was at that time a wealthy old speculator in Chicago named Armstead, or Armstrong, or some such name as that, who dealt only iu cotton and gold. He seemed to have some secret source of information at Washington, and never failed to profit by every battle, no matter whether the South or the North came out victor. All his dispatches passed through Gilmore’s hands, and all of them were signed ‘Spartica.’ They were never over a dozen words. These words had a peculiar sound. They seemed like a language to Gilmore. There was nothing of that harshness of manufactured words about them that one always sees in English cipher. Gilmore covertly copied one of them and took it to a learned friend of his. The gentleman read it and then said: ‘The words are Armenian, but they make no sense. It is a mere jumble. There is not a word of it understood.’ Gilmore was in a quandary. He went back to his table, and the next day received another telegram for Armstrong. He compared it with his copy of tne former message. It was precisely the same, with the exception of one word. He happened to come across a friend, who waa a speculator, ami asked him casually about Armstrong. The friend told him that yesterday he had bought cotton short, but. that day he bought it long. That was all Gilmore wanted to know. He consulted his learned friend and learned from him the Armenian words were for long and short. He knew that the cipher word that had been used ou the second day must have been long, and the previous day short. Tne fact that the word didn't mean ‘long’ in Armenian did not trouble him. It was the key word to the cipher. By the word he got, I think, six cipher letter , and easily got the balance. He soon unde - stood what was said as readily as Armstrong did. He made money rapidly. It is said that on the result of tne battle of Gettysbmg alone he made $250,000. He knew the result before any one on ’Change. He doesn't speculate now. Come around during the races and I’ll give you some tips,” soid the old operator; “you know we get all tho tips.” Tli 'Wheatstone Machine. Tiie Wheatstone instrument, which some people have said enabled the most'inexperienced persons to send or receive messages so accurately and quickly that a small girl could do the work of ten experienced telegraphers, is thus described in a letter written by President Orton to the Postmaster-general oil the subject Dec. G. 1873: “It would require twenty-four perforators, forty-eight copyists, and at least three iuoro to attend the transmitting and receiving instruments and the perforators, making :i force or seventy-five (this was subsequently increased to eighty), to accomplish in an hour the work performed with sixteen operators on eigiit wires by the Western Union in the same time, * * * It would be decidedly cheaper for the Western Union to provide and maintain seven additional wires between Washington and New York than to maintain such a force at both places as would render it possible to transmit and deliver, by the automatic process, 12,000 worcis within an hour of the time of filing.” PRESS COMMENT. Expression* of Editorial Opinion Concerning tlio Strike. A PROLONGED STRIKE A BLESSING, Eraiigvilift Tribune. Instead of a prolonged strike of telegraph operators being a calamity, it would be a blessing to both the people at large and the operators. It would create a sentiment in favor of placing the telegraph business of the country under the cgntrol of the government, where it rightfully belongs. If efficient telegraph service is so essential to a healthy condition of business, common sen.-e demands that the telegraph system of tho country he placed beyond the reach of strikes. If telegraph operators were employe-, of the government, they would receive better wages, and strikes would nover be thought of. Many of the leading newspapers arc coming out strongly against what they call the unreasonable demand of tue operators, and are trying to scare them