Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-08-28
The Places of Some of Them.
Filled by New Men
MAN WHO CAUSED TROUBLE

Agreement Made With Men Old
Hands Think Wedding Out Process
Is Being Worl1ed-S Some of Strikers
at Clock Co Have Gone Elsewhere
and Secured Work--What the Rich
mond Trolley Strike Cost.
Things are not moving smoothly at
the polishing department at Benedict
d Burnham's and from all accounts
it will require the best Judgment that
can be applied by the union men and
the company to prevent clash. Some
time ago nine men quit work on ac-
count of difference over prices and
an objectionable shopmate and later
twenty-five or twenty-six more Wepk
out. This was followed by a lfttHe
sparring match between the men ana
the bosses and finally the chasm was
bridged and all hands returned to
work on condition that John Laplante
should be dropped within a couple Of
weeks. When they reported one or
they were told that they would be sent
for as soon as there was something for
them to do. There didn't appear to be
anything wrong in this and the men
supposed that it meant nothing, but
they found out since that there was 81
whole lot back of it. Up to the pres
ent time about fourteen of the old
hands have been laid off, while men
who were hired during the tat are
working every day and things have
got to a point now that many think
the company has started in the weed
ing out process and won't let up On III
until it gets good and ready. To make
things worse Laplante has not been let
go as per contract, verbal one to be
sure, but just the same it was supppos-
ed to have been made in good faith
and naturally the men feel aggrieved
at not seeing it lived up to. 1t is said
that neither Superintendent Webb nor
Foreman Lowe is to blame for this.
A Democrat reporter was informed 4
last night that Lapplante was dis
charged on schedule time, but that in
stead of picking up his traps and dig
ging out he headed for the office az
fast as his heels could carry him where
it is alleged he was Informed to return
to his bench and take no stock In
what the Webbs and Loves might say.
regarding his getting through. In fact
he carries a higher head now than
ever and acts as if he had heard sonie-
thing at the Office which warrants
him in believing that there is a chance
for promotion there for him. There
was a rumor on the streets last night
and this morning that all the union
men in the department would be called
ut this morning. but nobody could be
found who cared to say anything Oh
the question President DAILY of the
Central Labor union has been out OF
town for some time, but he is expected
home tonight and probably nothing
will be done until after he has had m
opportunity to inquire into the situas
tiDn-
There is nothing new In the strike
situation at the Waterbury Clock Cos
plant Some of the men have found
work elsewhere and the rest can get
good jobs any time they care to leave
town. The company is putting on
man now and then, but it has not been
very successful in finding, suitable per
sons to replace the old hands. Wheth-
err there is anything to it or not it Is
pect of a settlement there and the
company has made up its mind to
make the best hand it can of the things
as they find them. Nothing is. known
regarding the mems views on the mat
ter so that in many respects it is a.
very peculiar strike. The papers are
not saving much about it for the very
good reason that they don't hear any
thing on the question themselves
accompany is not talking and themen
have nothing to say, either. Wonder
what these strange tactics mean. Can
it be possible that both are drawing
long breath and intend to give an ex-
hfbition when they get their second
wind? 1t is hoped that nothing OF
the kind will occur. Rows between
worlineYnen and their employers
should be avoided If possible no
matter which way they go, both s1f-
fer and the public feels it, too. IT IS
estimated that the money cost OF the
trolleynaen's strike in Richmond, Va,
was about $4,000 to the men them
selves, $1,000 to the city government
$4,000 to- the state government, and
$125, 900 to the company.
According to these figures the com-
pany lost almost ais much as al the
other parties to the conflict, but it ID
safe to state that the stockholders
didn't have to go without nytmng
they wanted on account Of the unex-
pected outlay Some people claim
that the trolley strike in Waterbury
cost theecompany 100000. This may
be trife above the mark, but it can
not be much out of the way. The
men put up $4,000 or 5000, the city
and the state had TO contribute few
thousand dollars. and in the end the
men lost here, too. OF course it cam
not be said that they were beaten and
threw up the sponge, but it was tam
tamount to that. How many of the
old hands do YOU see on the cars DUR
ing the day time? One of the sharp
est business men in Waterbury was
discussing this matter the other day
with a few friends and in the course
of the conversation stated that strikes
are bad for everybody, but he was OF
the opinion THAT unions are absolutely