Waterbury Democrat., 1901-05-13
WAITING THE HOUR
Employer and Employe AttendA
 ing Strictly to Business.
CLOCK SHOP MEN STILL our
Inside History of the Causes that Made Them Lay Down Their Tools Men Brought From Other Towns Went Back on the Company.

Made Them Lay Down Their Tools Men Brought From Other Towns Went Back on the Company It is still an open question between the machinists on strike at the Clock factory and Supt Larkins of that con-
 cern. Neither has shown any disposi- tion to yield, and the situation thereby is becoming more intense. The men still adhere to their first statements that the two discharged men were let go because they were union men, and it is taken for granted that Supt Lar
 kins still says that this Is not the cause.
 Gradually the details of the situa- tion that led up to the strike are be- coming public, and in this respect it should be said that the press commits tee of the strikers constitute the most uncommunicative men that anybody desiring to shun publicity could wish to select for keeping secrets private.
 1t is no longer q secret. however, that some time before the strike took place the men were asked individual1y by MT Larlxins if they belonged to the MuchinistS' association. Some of them replied truthfully, some did not. oth- CTS replied evasively and still others threw the question back to the uues- ttoner and thus evaded an answer
 However, it is believed that such an- swers were considered as affirmatives. The consequence of this Interrogation was that in many out of town papers advertisements were inserted for ma~ chinists with steady work and high wages guaranteed, provided of course the applicants were competent. A number of men responded and were given employment and 1t was under stood that these men were non-union- ists. A story told by some of them re- garding one of these strangers which illustrates the old saying that 1t is in- deed a very i'll wind that fails to blow good to someone.
 This stranger was quite attractive in appearance. tall. very good looking. dashing. but his manner aroused slls- picion and he was looked upon as a spy. When the time cnme. however. for every man i'll the department to show his colors, this stranger was among those who did not hesitate fo lay down his tools and tloff his apron. The officials of the concern were like- wise surprised. They reminded him of his statement that he was not union man, and he replied ssWell. did not ask you if you belonged to any society. and if you got the wrong answer from me it was because it was none of your business to what society I belonged. T -Afterward the man said that he had been paid very we'll for the few days he had worked, and that he has been going from factory to factory for some time, and under the impression that Ina is q non-unionist he is paid over and above the usual rate.
 Besides keeping well informed of th6 condition of things in the factory the men also keep watch on things out side. Their system of communicating with those ill the factory is decidedly unique.
 Saturday evening there came near being another strike in the buffing de-s around town that strike was ac- tually on. The basis of the report was that buffing machine got out of order toward the close of the dav's work and the men said that if it was repair ed by non-unionist they would not work on it. It is said that the ma chine was repaired by one of the ap- prentices
 Saturday morning one of the strikers went back to work, but at the same time one of those who did not strike with the others, threw down his tools. and left.
 The machinists employed by the Scovill Manufacturing company were all asked the other day if they had any grievance against the company and it is understoou that all of them replied in the negative. Yet at the same time. it is also understood that they are unanimously in favor of the nine hour work day and will join In the demand for it on the 20th of the month
 This forenoon the press committed that no change had taken place in the situation. The men were as firm as on the first day they said and are confident that before long the will see the justice Of their request.
 The striker who returned to work Saturday morning is q callman at the Burton street engine house.
 When the men went out Friday man who was promoted from the machine department some lime ago was requested to go back here. He asked If the alternative was lis discharge, and upon being informed shat it was, he put on his coat and luit.