Waterbury Democrat., 1903-01-24
DAY OF TROLLEY STRIKE
Many Settlement Floating of Cergymn Heard Story Both Situation and Announce Decision aerCay Still Running from Sunrise to SmsStiker
 sueIh Fourteen o Public

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 Rumors of settlement of the strike were in the air this morning. This was good news to the public Still, no one could be found to give a satis- factory account of these rumors. Yes terday afternoon and part of the evening Colonel Burpee and Mayor Kilduf held conferences, but by agree ment neither would say what was done, or what was likely to result. It was reported that the company would submit their final proposal for peace to the strikers this morning at 10 o'clock so that action could be taken upon it at their regular morning meet ing. The executive committee of the strikers said they had not heard of this but would not be surprised if such proposal should be submitted, from the course affairs have been taking during the past day or two
 It was ascertained from the com pany's side that so far very little stress has been made on the demand for twenty-two and one-half cents an hour, which is apparently one of the important items in the strikers propo- sition. The company have been hold ing the Barrett matter over the strik- ers' heads and in this way any posi- tive or insistent speech was held back on this point. Now, the strikers say that this is not so. That in every conference except the first or second this point has been particularly dwelt upon and it has progressed so far that an alteration in the figures has been suggested by which, while the com pany shall not pay any more than is at present paid to the men, the limit, twenty cents an hour, shall be reached earlier than under the old sys- tenn, four years. .>t.
 If the strike threatens to be long drawn, which all good citizens hope will not be the case, it is understood that 'busses will make regular trips to and from Naugatuck, OakvilIe and Waterville. There is no doubt but this would pay but. it is hoped that such a thing will not be necessary. There must be. some way of bringing the company and the men together and if there is not then let the. city gov ernment take the matter in hand and buy the electric lighting plant and run the business itself. It seems the com pany refuses to have the difference adjusted by committee composed of such men as pr Anderson. Father Slo- cum and Dr Davenport, and so long as they do it Is plain that they want to occupy the whole trough and while the concern holds to this view of the case there Is little hope of an amicable adjustment of the questions at issue. There cannot be anything wrong in arbitration by a competent, impartial committee. Didn't President Roose- welt suggest that as a way out of the coal strike, and when the barons got stiff-necked over the matter he quick ly gave them to understand that there were others. Let us follow the pres idents example. Put the men to work pending an investigation of the grievances by a committee.
 William J. Maton, leader of Maton's orchestra and formerly manager of the Waterbury Military band, takes excep- ton to a statement in local paper yesterday which was to the effect that the members of the Musicians union would refuse to play with MT Maton at the concert of the Waterbury Burns club last night because he has been riding on the trolley cars during the strike. The article further said that the Musicians union had voted to support the strikers and to fine ev- cry member who rode on the cars during the strike. Mir Maton says that great injustice was done not only to him, but also to the Burns club. The Musicians union has ta- ken no action upon the strike and has not voted to impose fine upon mem- bers riding on the cars. He further states that it is not because he loves the trolley company or opposes the strikers that he. is riding, but for the benefit of his health. He lives over a mile from the city and has to make three or four trips to and from his home each day. He has to work both day and night and if he were to walk all the time his health would suf- fer; he couldn't stand it. He does not think that he should bring upon himself an attnck of typhoid fever or pneumonia. Every night this week he has been working. All last week he walked, though the cars were run ming. One or two nights he had to pay a dollar for a carriage to ride home So it is not because he wishes to hurt the strikers that he is riding. Far from it. Mir Maton's concluding remark was to the effect that if the trolleymen would run bus in the di- rection of his home he will ride in it and not on the cars.
 There was no practical increase in the trolley traffic to-day. About the same number of cars was on Exchange place at noon and about the same faces were in them.
 The Business Mems association will hold special meeting Monday even- ing and some action will be taken which, it is said; will make the trolley company submit to arbitration or show reason for refusing to do SO.