The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-04-20
COMMISSARY STORES.
Clinton Business Men to In
vestigate Some Current
Rumors.

Clinton, April 19.-The commissary
system of supplying the metropolitan
laborers with the necessities of life will
come up for discussion at the next
meeting of the Business Mems Associa-
ton. The Spy limited at the existence of
discomfort among the Italian laborers.
This feeling of discomfort seems to be
on the increase. The men, or some of
them, effect to believe that it is a case
of buying supplies at the contractors
store or get discharged. Yet so far there
are no we'll authenticated cases of men
being discharged for this reason. AS the
correspondent of The Spy learns the
facts the laborers are frequently much
overcharged. They pay as much as 10
cents pound for sugar and a CORES
pOndingly high rate for flour.
The metropolitan water board is on
record as against anything of this kind,
in a letter written to Thomas Dawson
Tate by Hiram A Miller, engineer of
the reservoir department. Mr.. TAFT had
announced his intention of Investigate
ing stories that pointed to the fact that
some contractors discharged men be-
cause they would not trade with the
commissary.
Mr. Miller in his letter says: IF any
such thing has been done by our con-
tractors, it is contrary to the provisions
of our contracts which require the con-
tractors to pay the men in current
money. Will you kindly favor me with
such information as you have that 1
may ascertain what contractors are not
complying with the provisions of their
contracts?"
1t is expected that an effort will be
made to ascertain the true extent and
nature of the commissary evil with the
purpose of presenting evidence against
the offending contractors if there be
any.
Miss Edna Hornberge of Fitchburg is
the guest of Miss Alma Kramer.
Patriots day was quietly celebrated
in this town. There was Patriots day
service at the Methodist church, this
evening. The day was marked by the
large number of holiday seekers on the
streets. There was a large traffic to
and from Worcester for the sake. of the
trolley ride. Bicyclists came in from
Worcester in great numbers. Many
came from Fitchburg. The event of the
day and of the theatrical season here,
in fact, was the presentation of Shen-
andOah, with Maurice Barrymore in the
principal role. and a large cast. There
was a fashionable audience in the
theatre when the curtain went up this
evening. Nearly every seat was taken.
In the audience were the Thayers of
Lancaster and many prominent people.
Several of the boxes contained theatre
parties. The asbestos curtain owned by
the company was hung in front of the
curtain belonging to the house. The
scenery was in keeping with the play.
The performance was entirely satisfac-
tory.
DR.. NJ. H. Burke and Sergt. J. J. Cor
lis of Worcester were the guests Of NJ.
A. McSherry in town today. DR.. Burke
is thinking of establishing a practice
in dentistry here.
There will be a meeting of the Wom-
ems Auxiliary of the Y. NJ. c. A Thurs
day evening at 730 at the residence of
Mrs. X. ]. Pierce, Pierce block The res
ignation of Mrs. Frank 7. Harvey as
secretary of the auxiliary was accepted
Mrs. Harvey is leaving town with her
husband, DR.. Frank T. Harvey, who is
going to practice in Milford.
David Watson and James Broderick
attended the concert and ball of the
Maynard Temperance Society at May
nard, last evening.
The young ladies' gymnastic class of
the Turn Nerein will give a concert and
ball in Turner hall. Friday, May -.
About 900 people attended the sun
light hop given by the Riverside Social
and Athletic Club, Bigelow hall, this
afternoon. Music for dancing was fur
nished by the Family Circle Orchestra
of five pieces, Joseph Finnerty leader
Herbert Cartwright prompter. Henry
J. Nolan acted as floor director He
was assisted by James r. Gaugan and
J. H. Mccormick. The aids were John
B. Connery. Patrick Fadgen, Edward
Coughin, James Watson, Anthony
Cannon, John O'Malley. J. Prescott,