Waterbury Democrat., 1901-06-13
STRIKERS WILLING
will Meet Their Employers More
 Than Half Way.
THEY WANT THE g HOUR DAY.

And Will Return to Work if That is
 Granted-Now is the Proper Time
 for the Manufacturers to Show
 Their Good Will-A Little Conces-
 sion From Them Now Will Set the
 Machinery to Running Again in
 Waterbury-No Change at Ansonia-
 New Men, Except Four, Are at
 work-Sheriff's Posse Also Doing
 Duty.
 Things were lively around the head quarters of the machinists and tool makers in the Platt block to-day. All reported for roll call and every man appeared full of hope for the final tri- umph of the fight made by the union for nine hour day.
 A communication has been received from President O'Connel authorizing the settlement of the difference at Gross & Speirs's machine shop on the basis of nine hour day without any time limit affixed, and the same wages as formerly paid for 10 hours work. The firm is willing to agree to this up to September, but the union will not admit to any limit. It was also stated at headauarters to-day that this rule will apply to all shops, provided the ma ehinists employed in them are satls- fled with it, that is, upon the posting of a notice stating that on and after such a date nine hours shall constitute a days work without any reduction in the wages previously paid for 10 hours. The shop committee and the men can come together and decide to go to work even though the notice says nothing about recognizing the uniOn This looks like meeting the manufacturers more than half way. and if they do not take advantage of it and settle the trouble at once no one can say that the union is stub born in its attitude or unreasonable in its demands. More than one manu- facturer told a representative of this paper prior to and after the strike that they had no particular objection to a nine hour day. They objected to the clauses having reference to ap- prentices and also the open recognf- ton of the union. If they meant what they said at that time, and we have no intention to impugn the honesty of their statements. they now have an opportunity of coming to an under standing with their help on terms which they appeared to have no objec- tion to few weeks ago.
 A great deal depends upon how the shop committees will look at this. They are not obliged to do it unless they think we'll of it, but while the statement is unauthorized it is but reasonable to assume that if clause. 2 of the articles of agreement as sub nlitted to the manufacturers by the union, which deals with the question of hours and wages, should go into effect in one or two of the shops, the whole matter would be settled in a day or two in every shop in the city and things would quickly get back to their normal condition in Waterbury.
 The strike has been settled on prac- tically the same basis in Hartford and other places. and there is no reason why it should not be considered as a fair solution of the question in this town.
 Ansonia, June 13-An impression got abroad Tuesday that additional men would be brought into the Farrel Foundry and Machine Co that even- ing. It is said that advices were re- ceIyed from New York to this effect. No new men came, however, and none have yet arrived. The situation, there fore, remains in a general way as it did Tuesday The new men who came in on Monday night are still at work. with the exception of four, and the 'sherif's posse is still on duty.
 In addition to the man who deserted Tuesday morning, three others have since quit. These men made known their desire to leave to the superin- tendent and we're permitted to depart They also have probably gone back to New York, whence they came The percentage of assertions is estimated at one-third
 The new men slept Tuesday night in a gallery of the roll room on the second floor, where their cots were placed They are keeping close inside the mill. taking their meals there regu- larly. the meals being we'll cooked and plentiful They say they enjoy their work and their meals very much.
 The sheriff's posse is stationed on the west side of the mill beside the roll room and between it and the rail- road tracks. The men serve six at a time for a period of six hours and in charge of Deputy Sheriff Parmelee of Ansonia- At night the full force is on.
 In the expectation that new men would be brought in Tuesday evening large crowds gathered about the cor ner. on the bridge and along the rail- road tracks in the rear of the foun- dry The crowd was good natured and orderly and was composed of wo- men as well as men. One little incl dent which is significant is worth stat ing. There were few of the striking employees in the cSowd, and those who were there were looking for their feI- lows, and as fast as found were urged to leave the place. There being but few present the work was not at all arduous.
 Among the crowd present were many persons from Derby. Along the rail- road boys and young men clambered upon the tops of cars and on the roofs of the small buildings in the foundry yard, intent on catching a view of the new men, if possible. Few of them were rewarded for their effort.
 One of the strikers received word this afternoon over the telephone from a fellow striker in Springfield that the difficulty in that city had been ad- justed to the satisfaction of both sides.
 Edward McGrath, inspector of school