Inadequate Cuspidors.
TheChicago office of the Western Union Telegraph Company (in 1877) had been noted for the manliness of its employes, who realized that they were men and women, and for this reason entitled to the consideration of the local as well as the general officials.
It became necessary, sometimes, to have this fact impressed on the minds of those immediately in charge, who relegated to themselves authority not vested in them.
It was considered the wise thing to hire a hall, and there to meet once a week to discuss the situation, and to determine upon the most businesslike manner of procedure to meet the exigencies of any case in hand.
Platt’s hall, on the south side, was selected for this purpose, and every Sunday, a meeting was held, to discuss the complaints and grievances of the employes assembled.
Wm. J. Lloyd was the presiding officer on these occasions, and he was a glorious worker in the cause.
Much good resulted from this “getting together” and it was found to be a simple matter to adjust the grievances, once they were uncovered and aired.
There was present at one of these meetings, B. E. Sunny, who was night manager for the Atlantic & Pacific Telegraph Company. This company never had any trouble with their employes, and if one were disposed to do half-way right, he would not be censured or reprimanded by his superiors, and the office was very pleasant to work in.
“I notice we have Mr. Sunny, of the A. & P. with us today,” remarked President Lloyd. “We would like to hear from him, and if he has any grievance against his company,we would like to have him state the nature of it and we promise to try and adjust the difficulty.”
Mr. Sunny protested that he came to attend the meeting merely as an on-looker, and knew of nothing that he could enter a complaint against.
The president demurred at this statement, saying he could not conceive of such an earthly paradise as a telegraph office where all were satisfied and where there were no grievances.
“Well, come to think of it, there is a grievance we have that should be remedied,” said Sunny. “I have spoken to the manager and superintendent, but with no avail, and the evil still continues. Our cuspidors in use at our office are not much larger than a tea cup and wholly inadequate to take care of the expectorations of a liberal user of the weed, and I have asked for larger utensils to accommodate these copious expectorations, but no relief has as yet come and I think it will require executive action to force the issue.”
“The matter is referred to the Grievance Committee with request that it be adjusted at once,” said President Lloyd, and the meeting was adjourned.
It is related that more elaborate cuspidors graced the Atlantic & Pacific operating room a few days later, indicating the efficacy of determined organization.