Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-04-24
TIE STATEMENT TODAY.
Points to Providence, Where
 Good Wages Are Paid.

After Six Years of Service the Men
 Get $2.50 a Day-The First Year the
 Pay Is S2 per Day-Offers Made to
 Strikers to Take Positions on Lines
 Out of Town.
 The, strikers executive committee is- sued the following statement this af- ternoon:
 This is the 1O4th day of the strike, and never at any time since the com- mencement of the strike on January Il last have our men felt ill such good spirits. Every man is standing at his post heroically, and there they will stand until this trouble is decided one way or the other. We do not mean by this that we are standing out doggedly or arrogantly, for we are ready at any time to do our share to erase the pres ent unpleasantness, but we mean that We are convinced that our claims are just and we will fight for our rights to the last ditch. Rumors to the contrary should not be considered worthy of consideration in the future, as they have proven to be empty in the past.
 Tt is strange that none of the local papers has happened to run across or publish big article which appeared in the Providence K. l., Journal last Sum- day, concerning the motormen and con- ductors of the Rhode Island company. Manager E. I. Todd of that company has voluntarily advanced the pay of every motorman and conductor in the employ of his company, to take effect May l. which means an increase of $60,0OO in the annual pay roll. Here is how Manager Todd arranged the ad- vances, the rating to be established in accordance with the length of service with the eompany;u First year, $2 per day of eleven hours; second year, $2.10; third year, $2.20; fourth year, $2.30; fifth year. $40; sixth year, $2.5O. Just compare those wages with ours here, or even with the increases we asked for. And Manager Todd gave these in creases without even being asked to by the trolleymen;. who only short time ago were receiving but $1.S0 per day.
 We received this morning from President Mahon our usual weekly check of substantial size. together with a letter in WI hichs he atellsnof his very satisfactory settlement of the New York troubles, where he secured in creased wages, shorter work day recognition of our committees, and so on. It was fine victory for the men of New York he says, and places them in fine position as an organiza- tion.'
 "One of the old srtike-breakers, Il gentlemanly appearing chap, has been te see some of our men; and says most Of the fellows Withshim want to see us win. As many are riding now as ever will while the strike is on,' he said, and the company is losing a bundle of money every day. Just keep up stiff upper lip and you can't lose. If you don't win come down to Brooklyn any time and we'll get you better jobs than you ever had
 ''In spite of the statement of the company that they can get efficient help in quantities, we can truthfully state that a number of our older hands have received offers to move to various cities and take positions on the trolley lines there.
 50 many members of the local unions have been Loyalty giving Us moral and financial support that it has been impossible to acknowledge their kindness individually. We have their names, however, and while we have not the time to send every man and woman written acknowIedg cement, we assure them all that we thank them each and every one most heartily.
 "'Buses will leave Exchange place at o'clock and 9:15 this evening for Grange hall. Buses will also run to Father Traynor's mammoth bazaar at Waterville."