Waterbury Democrat., 1903-02-21


 that way last night at meeting of the Electrical Workers union whoch was the largest and most enthusiastic session ever held by that body The trimmers employed by the trolley com pany, all of whom belong to the union, decided to ask for an increase in wages from $1.50 per day to $1.75 day for workmen and $2.35 for overseers. The application was presented to Superin- tendent Meth this morning. with re- quest that the prices if agreed to go into effect after o'clock this evening. Mir Meth informed the men that he would give them an answer tomorrow. The men are at work to-day so that whether the company comes to an un- derstanding with them or not the lights will be all right for tonight.
 Ray B. Platt of Bridgeport, who was brought here to boss the linemen, has shook the dust-snow might be more appropriate-off his feet and returned bag and baggage to the Park City. He registered at the Exchange hotel last Thursday and remained there until yesterday when he picked up his traps |. cop'' of his own volition, while others claim that he got the grand bounce" But MT Platt is gone, anyway and as the linemen who quit yesterday had no other grievance other than that they didn't care to be bossed by Mir Platt, there appears to be no reason why Mir Meth and the men cannet get to- gether now. The men will return to work if the superintendent wants to have them. but unless they should be called in soon they will go to work elsewhere. One of them told a Demo- crat reporter that they had no fault to find regarding wages or treatment. but that the placing of Platt over them was like shaking, a red flag before a bull, and they never would have con sented to work with him. Tn answer to question as to whether or not they would go back now seeing that Platt is out of the way, he replied that he saw no reason why they should not, but inasmuch as they were discharged 1t was up to the superintendent to say should they do any more work there or not He told them yesterday that If they refused to work with Platt he had nothing more for them to do.
 T. J Sheehan of New Britain. grand treasurer of the International, Electric Workers union, was in town to-day and spoke at the strikers meet Ing this morning. In conversation with a Democrat reporter MT Sheehan said that he had been called here two or three times before on this question and on each occasion cautioned moder- atlon on the part of the linemen.
 our position was stated very nicely in the Democrat yesterday said Mir Sheehan. We are not Joking for tro,I- hie, but 1t loks as if the company wants to draw us into it.. We allowed tha men to do some things since the strike started not exactly in accordance with our rules and regulations for the sake of avoiding calling them out and also with view to letting things stand as they were in the hope that settlement might be reached as soon as possible. But 1t looks now as if the company did not desire peace, for they brought this non-union man here and put him over men whom they knew would not work under him. He was expelled from fhe union and up to the time he came here was a spotter for the company in Bridgeport. If it be true that this man has left town see no reason why the linemen should not go in if they want to and the company is willing to have them, but that is not material to us. The linemen can go to work else- where Monday. They are splendid workmen and the demand for them is far in excess of the supply. The trim mers and inspectors have asked for an Increase in wages and if 1t should not be granted they will go out. These men have a grievance. Tn other places trimmers get $2.50 day for the same amount of work they have been doinp here for $1.50 and $1.75. In addition to this they receive $1 a week as pre-, mium for the character of their work This Is a great encouragement te them and as result the electric lights give good satisfaction. 1t being a rare thing to hear of one of them being out of order. They give them no sucl encouragement here"
 MT Sheehan said that there was nt desire on the part of the electricd workers to precipitate general strike but that in case such a thing should be forced upon them they were in | position to take care of themselves The union is the strongest body of or ganized labor in this country and Gan ada, and numbers among it's member almost every practical man in the, bus mess, so that 1t Is out of the question to get competent hands outside it.
 Everything was quiet along the diff ferent lines last night, there being n, stone throwing or disorder of any sort Nothing unusual occurred today, bu for a few moments 1t looked as | there might be trouble at the Junction of South Main and Grand streets whel the conductor on one of the cars rush cd over the crossing without ringing his bell and shouting lustily to pedes trians to get out of the way. Peopl
 stood and stared at the man on tn
 car, but he passed on at such spec
 nobody had a chance to say anything
 Such conduct as this is very apt t
 create trouble and the management
 should endeavor to guard against il
 Fr44.. oP %tsfE