Waterbury Democrat., 1903-01-23

The strikers executive committee gave out the following statement this afternoon:
 To-day is the thirteenth day of the strike, and at this writing the situation remains about the same as yesterday.
 While the executive committee was preparing its statement for the press yesterday, we were waited upon by three prominent clergymen, whose names we are not at liberty to divulge They stated to us that they came to us not as taking sides with the company and not as taking sides with our men They wanted to know if we were will ing to lay all the evidence we possess in substantiation of our position before volunteer committee representing the public, the volunteer committee to place against shat evidence the testi- mony and proof of the trolley company. When the evidence of both sides had been secured, the volunteer committee , would present the situation over their | signed names to the public, which would then be in a position to thorough ly place the blame where 1t belongs and act accordingly. The clergymen in- l formed us that they, and large DOT tion of the public also, had been led to believe from what they had read on the trolley company's side of the argu- ment that the discharged men were let go because Of drinking while on duty | and for drunkenness. They also ] thought the inference was broadcast that on the three days Barrett was ab- sent from work he was out of town booming the trolley union. Also that 1 the strike had been declared by the men in g spirit of enthusiasm and be- cause the company haS demanded and taken its right to discharge men who l had seriously violated the rules. When the volunteer committee heard the mems side of the case they must have been surprised, but they stated that if what we said could be backed up by proof 1t would be q great benefit to have such a committee as they suggest l ed appointed. We left the committee of clergymen with the understanding ! that we would bring the matter up ait the meeting of the union yesterday af- ! ternoon. sss
 tsAt 5 o'clock. after roll call had been taken and every man accounted for, our committee reported ta1e above mat ter to the men. The action we con templated resulted. Our report was 1 accepted and the proposition of the clergymen ratified unanimously. AS one man expressed himself, We want all the light we can have thrown upon this strike and it's causes Our com mittee reported the action of the men to the volunteer clergvmen last night,
 This morning the clergvmen's committee came to our committee, and asked us: will you abide bv the de- cfsion of our volunteer committee as regards Barrett and Kelly, after thor oughly Investigating both sides, leav- Ing the balance of your demands just as they now stand without interfer- erice from us q? We informed the gen. tlemen that we would bring that ques- tion before the body at 10 o'clock this morning, which we did. It was voted unanimously to accept the proposition of the clergy and to abide by their de- cision as far as Barrett and Kelly was concerned. We think the public will acknowledge that these actions were as fair as anyone could expect. The committee has promised, in case the company refuses to submit their evidence to them that they will make 1 public the matter over their own sig natures-not over signatures in the way of nom de plumes, for which we have only contempt.
 \ Now here is proposition which, If the Connecticut Railway & Lighting company will accept, will be the means Of starting the cars with the old men back, tomorrow morning. As above outlined, the case of Barrett and Kel- ] ley are left with the clergymen's com mittee. That eliminates that part of the difficulty As will be seen, most of this proposition has already been acted on. Let the public glance over this carefully md see how easily the present difficulty could be settled if 1 the other side cared to concede us something:-
 Memorandum of Agreement entered into between the Connecticut Railway & Lighting Go, party of the first part, and the Amalgamated Association of Street Railway Employees of America, i Division 193, of Waterbury, Connecti- cut, party of the second part.
 Section I. That in the operating lines of the party of the first part, both parties hereto agree that all busi- ness shall be transacted between the properly accredited officers of each party hereto. To be left to arbitra- tion)
 Sec 2. All regular and extra motor men and conductors shall receive l () per hour. (Willing to leave to arbitration.)
 l "All snow blow work to be 25c per hour (Already conceded by Manager l SewelI)
 "All barn men to receive 200 per hour, save foremen who are not in- cluded in this agreement. (Already conceded by Manager Sewell)
 sSec 3. Ten ill 121a consecutive hours shall constitute a days work. l (Already conceded by Manager Sew e!IJ
 ''Sec 4. All men shall have their re- |spective places on list, same as before strike. CThis has practically been con ceded by Manager Sewell.)
 "Sec ,. All difficulties hereinafter existing between the parties hereto shall be settled by the respective com mittee appointed by the parties hereto (We are willing to leave this to arbitra- l tion.)