Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury [Connecticut]) 1903-1917, 1903-08-06
THE STRIKE SITUATION TO-DAY
Daily Statement Laughs at the Idea Of Settle
r1ent on Basis Proposed -Rumor Continues
to Say Settlement is Near at Hand

The trolley strikers held very in
teresting meeting last evening at 5
o'clock. 1t was the most interesting
they have held in a long time and
quite large crowd had gathered on the
street to hear the result. whether or
not the strike was declared off. The
crowd was almost as large as that
which gathered outside the court
house the night Of the end Of the two
weeks trial of the eight strikers.
When the result was finally made
known after two hours waiting the
crowd went away quietly for the
strike was not declared off. There
was no hurrahing nor exclamation of
any kind.
The largest crowd that has attended
any Of the meetings of late was there.
Various estimates have been given out,
but authority report gives it at about
SO or go. Many of the strikers who
favor declaring the strike off were quite
busy all the afternoon informing the
strikers who are working of the neces-
sity Of their presence at the meeting.
More interest was taken in the meeting
than in an election of officers. Every
effort was made to get every striker in
town at the meeting because it was de-
termined that final action should be
taken and that the strike should be
declared off, by those who favor that
step. 1t has been known for some
time that the affirmative lacked a
leader, but last night there were
leaders to spare. Every man was a
leader. For two hours the matter was
discussed from every conceivable
point of view, and then it was decided
that it would be better to postpone
final action until every striker in town
shall be present. The meeting then
adjourned to this evening when it is
expected that the strike will be de-
Gared off,
The. offer to settle the strike was
made this time by the strikers, through
| their president, James Murnan, who
| since his election has done all in his
| power to bring about an amicable ad-
! justment of the contention. The offer
! is said to be the reinstatement of
| about 20 men Immediately, of about 80
others before September 1, and the bal
ance as soon as opportunity presents
| itself
This offer, as was said yesterday.
has been accepted by Manager Sewell.
l Y
at the meeting this everfing there
seems to be no question, judging from
the sentiments expressed by many of
the men to-day. If the strike is not
settled there promises to be big break
III the ranks For some time there has
been heard threats of 20 men breaking
away on the plea that they cannot
any longer. live the way they have
been living for the past six months
Some of these men say that it would
be far better for the union to call off
the strike and thus keep the union in
tact, rather than have some 20 men
break away on the plea above stated
It is said that those who favor re-
turning to work could have carried the
meeting held last evening, but they de-
sired that every, man be heard fairly
and squarely. Had they taken affirm.
ative action they say they would have
done what the Bridgeport men did
that is to say, they would have taken
some Of their fellow members at dis.
advantage.
In Bridgeport about 60 men, it was
said at the time, attended the meeting
at which the strike was called off, and
45 of them voted in the affirmative
These were Immediately given their