Waterbury Democrat., 1903-02-10

Rev pr DavenporL las,L evening
 To the Striking Conductors and Motof-
 men:
 1t is gratifying to me to read ill the evening papers your kind Words oL ap- preciation and commendatiOn. shoultl be unworthy of the position nolo were not deeply interested in the COL (lition of all classes among us Ah only motive in speaking on Sunday last regarding the unhappy differences that have sprung up among us was, so Tar as my little influence might go, to throw it upon the side of harmony and peace All lovers of our city must be eager to do whatever is possible to ter minate contention and establish pros perity upon. an enduring because right basis.
 I confess, however, that I was some what surprised that you give. me un- stinted praise for my attitude regard ing the contest. My words were meant to be no more in the interest of the strikers than of the Traction Go. was simply trying to induce both sides to take a broad. philanthropic view of the situation. You will remember that I said distinctly that in my opinion every corporation must be at liberty to engage and to dismiss men in ac- cordance with its own judgment as to necessity or propriety. Unless this is granted do not see how any business can be successfully carried on. Men, as I stated, will not invest their money in manufacturing establishments un- less they can see how and by whom this shall be used in production. can not agree, therefore. with what 1 un- derstand to be the strikers main con tention. 1 cannot question the right of the company to lay aside the men whom they thought they had reason to dismiss. This as you will remember, was the position taken by the commit tee of pastors who looked into your case and who advised you to accept the decree of the company regarding that matter.
 And so, if by what I said regarding a recognition of the union" you under stood me to mean what is inconsistent with this, you were mistaken as to my intent I meant simply to say that I thought you had as good a right to or ganiZe for your own advantage as the capitalists have, but that you and they both must regard each others rights and privileges.
 As to wages, nothing was further from my thought than even to seem to dictate as to what the traction com pany should do in your case. was only pleading for generous" treat ment, such as believe should be ac- corded all workmen have no means of knowing the company's receipts fur ther than they are matter of com mon report, and certainly have no of Lyao +Ir> <,f S4c necessary expenditure. All I meant to say was that thought it ought to treat you as men and brothers And I be lieye that this it is disposed to do. I understand that it agreed to four of the seven propositions that you laid before it, the most of these having a direct bearing upon hours and wages can only hope that if you go back to work you will sooner or later receive what appears to me to be generous compensation for faithful service. You have been kind enough to ex- press your confidence in me and in my i estimate of the situation. Will you | not then accept my Judgment when | appeal to you in the interest of the l peace and prosperity of the city that l we all love, for the sake of the reputa ] ton for constant and remunerative in ] dustry which it has won by long years of steady activity and growth, with 2 just regard for all the precious inter ests involved, including your own duty and welfare, accept the terms of the l traction company and return to work It would be q glad day to us all wheT we should see your faces in the ol( place and be served by you as we have 1 been of old.
 l l say this, as you must be assured from no selfish or narrow motive, bu 1 because in view of the entire situation I am convinced that this is the bes l thing for you to do, the step that yol would never regret. Thus doing vol would end contest that has added nothing to the glory of our city, re move the liability to violence and rio l with all that they mean of evil ant shame, and recall the dove of peac, that for weeks has refused to hove
 over us.
 I would not ask this did net hon estly and thoroughl.s believe it to bt for the good of all concerned. Ant
 when I say this do not speak for my
 self alone, but for countless others wht | have your welfare and that of all tn
 city at heart.
 Respectfully and gratefully yours,
 JOHN c. DAVENPORT.
 Waterbury, Feb 9, 1903.