Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-03-18
Last Nights Conference.

The dove of peace hovered over the Old City hall last night for a very few srlinutes and then took it's flight, pos sibly not to return with it's hamburger of settlement of the trolley strike un- til the forces now at war with each other wage still more bitter contest. For just short time last night there was general feeling around the cor riders of the hall that at last the con- tending forces had come together and had agreed on some settlement Of the trolley troubles. So general was that feeling that even the strikers believed they soon would enjoy what they had been fighting for during eight or nine weeks. Everyone was on the anxious seat outside the offices where the vari- ous conferences were being held and all waited for the announcement that the strike was over. Disappointment came like thunderclap, however, when Colonel Burpee, talking for the directors. banished all hopes of set tlement by his final ultimatum that no agreement could be reached and that the matter would not be submitted to arbitration. The conferences and their results came about in this man. ner.
 It will be remembered that Colonel Burpee stated to President Mahon Of the National association of street rail- way men and to other gentlemen pres ent at the conference yesterday after noon, that he had no authority to set tie the strike and that it lay in the power of the directors. He promised to get into communication with that D~ x,If |. q as the following letter was received by President Mahon and Chairman Dil- worth late yesterday afternoon:
 March IT, 1908. Messrs w D. Mahon and D. l.. Dill
 worth:
 Gentlemen-In accordance with your request this afternoon have commun- acated with Mir Young and related to him our conversation and your request to meet some person who has authori- fy, as you express it. "to settle the strike" Subsequently, have been Instructed to say to you that the posi- tion and purpose of the company in relation to it's former employees has not changed in any manner since it was last stated to them; but, nevertheless, I am also directed to repeat to you, if you desire, what that position and pur- pose is, and to give you any inforlna- tion which I possess concerning the past facts and existing conditions from the company's standpoint, and any other information which may be of use to you, if you desire, to reach a fair decision concerning this subject For that purpose I shall be ready to meet you this evening, if you wish, at any time and place you may designate may add that the officers of the com. pany say that they have been informed that you intend to be fair and judic. aotfs in reaching conclusions concern ing the present difficulties of the local 1nion of your association, and there fore have enjoined upon me to give you whatever assistance I can for that pur. pose; and also am instructed and au thorizedsto listen to any statement ol proposition which you have to make and to give you the company's answer Thereto. Respectfully,
 LUCIEN K. BURPEE, Counsel Connecticut Railway & Light
 ing Go, per NJ. c. Me.
 Waterbury, March IT, 1903.
 While the above letter was q little mystifying yet it looked as though the trolley company was going to recede from its former steadfast position and