Waterbury Democrat., 1901-06-28
WILL FIGHT IT OUT
Striking Machinists Say They
 Win Never Give Up.
THE HIBBARD co LETTER

Waterbury Workers Very Little
 New in the Local Situation To-Day
 Trying to Adjust Matters at Ansonia
 The Farrel Foundry Co Hampered
 Somewhat on Account of Being a
 Member of the Metal Trades Associa-
 .ion.
 At the headquarters of the striking machinists to-day all signs of the storm and irritation that were caused by the action of the men employed by the Plume 6 Atwood company returning to work appeared to have passed over. Everything seemed to be going along with the smoothness and tranquility that marked the conduct of the strike previous to the incident. The news of the mems action quickly disseminated throughout the state and it brought a number of men prominent in labor af- fairs to the city last evening, Not to take, or advise the men to take any action in the matter, but simply to 1n- quire into the matters that led to such a change and diagnose the situation of affairs. The opinion of these is that silent work was done among the men; that the manufacturers had agents in daily contact with them and they paint ed a rosy prospect for the men if they would return to work.
 The rest of the strikers do not seem f.es ,rl se<r4 though they admit that it has thrown a settlement of the strike back for some time. Had the men been employed in machine shop their return to work would have been considered more serious blow than it is. An idea of the steadfastness of some of the men may be had from this incident One man, married, and father of two children, finding himself not in much need of funds had his share of the weekly wage given to fellow striker who needed it more than himself Another man. rather than return to work under pres ent conditions. asked for work from contractor few days ago. This man was accustomed to earn at least $3 a day, yet the most he could earn from the contractor was $1.50 a day.
 Isaac Cowen, an organizer of the Amalgamated Societies of Engineers, Pattern Makers. Blacksmiths, etc, ad- dressed the meeting last evening He dwelt to large extent on the condi-t uon of labor in the machine shops throughout the country, particularly In the west, where it was said ma- chinists were paid the lowest and turn ed out lower grade of work than is done in the east. MT Cowen showed that such an impression is wholly wrong and the facts show a condition quite the contrary. MT Cowen ad- dressed the men a few minutes this morning, also.
 All machinists have been advised to steer clear of Lockport, N. Y, where all the men are out on a strike.
 The Farrel foundry men held a very enthusiastic meeting this morning, and last evening the American Ring company's men met and voted to stand by their shop committee, which report ed favorable on the tidings and incl dents of the day.
 This evening there will be a meeting of the wives of the strikers and they will be addressed by speakers promi- nent in the labor world. The object of the meeting is to explain to the ladies the purpose and the great importance of the principle their husbands are fighting for. It is believed that the mems wives do not thoroughly under stand this.
 Following is the communication from w. H. Hubbard. concerning which there appeared in last evenings Democrat communication from him:
 w H. HIBBARD,
 Manufacturer of Special and Automatic Machinery.
 Presses, Dies, etc,
 79-S1 Washington street.
 Brooklyn, N. T., 6, 19, 1901.
 Telephone 2626 Main.
 Dear Sir-We have your favor of the 18th inst toshand and contents not ed Answering same will state that l we are in need of good die makers on combination dies and that we are will 1 ing to pay a man what he is worth, | as it is pretty hard 10 set a mans | wages before you have seen what he | is capable of accomplishing. We are at present working at the rate of 55 l hours a week and we hired (probably | hire) the man probably mem at the hour rate
 If you wish you are at liberty to | give me call and have a talk and I | will be better able to explain to you are (probably our) class of work
 If you know of any good lathe l hands on presses why we may be able | to use few if they can get the work | out. Very truly yours,
 w. H. HIBBARD.
 Quitting the name of the receiver | of the letter, it is above as it ap- | peared on a letter head of the firm.
 In his communication published last l evening Mir Hubbard says the object | Of publishing it which he requested | was to dispel any idea, if any existed, | that local manufacturers may have | that he was trying to hire local ma chinists; to eliminate lle idea that the | strikers could obtain work out of | town, and particularly in Mir Hib- | bard's shop.
 The Ansonia Sentinel states the fol- | lowing regarding the conference be- tween the men and the officers of the |