The sun., 1903-03-14

Al the Same Time They Have Failed 10
atop Mobs From Committing out
RACES, Railroad Omcials say-More
People Ride-This Strike Test Case.
WATERBURY,, Conn, March ia steadily
increasing number OF people riding In the
cars is the only outward manifestation OF
the work Of the citizens organization 10
resist the boycott tyranny Of the striking
trolley employees.
The timidity OF business men and others
who are enlisted In this emancipation move
ment IL not sufficiently overcome, in many
instances. to bring them out into the open
in their stand for their rights IA American
citizchs and will not be until a mass meeting
Is held which will demonstrate how strong
the organization really il.
The secrecy with which the work Is being
done and the nervousness on the part OF
many enga ged on IL, lest they be identified
as active in the movement, are fair measure
Of the extent to which the community was
cowcd by the labor union methods.
Waterbury has been overridden 80 long
that the people seem to look upon the absurd
tramrnels put upon their free action as
mntter of course and 1t is hard for them to
break the habit OF lamblike obedience to
orders Of irresponsible committees repre-
senting the strikers.
II will not be until some open, aggressive
action against the illegal acts OF tho labor
unions is taken that the citizens here will
fully grasp the significance of their own
recently promulgated declaration OF indie
pendepce.
Thus Far the railroad company has been
remarkably quiet, keeping Its own counsel
Yesterday people believed that there would
be q radical move of some kind to-day.
To-day they are fixing tomorrow as the
dato when something will be doing. What
the something will be. whether II will take
the form Of radical action on the part OF
the citizens organization or on the part OF
the railroad company, is what those who
are watching events are specializing upon
tonight.
1t Is believed that for one thing the course
OF the police with reference to the non
union men who have taken the strikers
places will come in for Investigation. The
episode to-day OF Policeman Schlepfcrs
resignation from the force is taken as point
ing toward action OF that nature.
Representatives of the railroad company
say that their non-union conductors and
trolleymen have been prosecuted by petty
charges made by the police, whereas police
men have gazed at the stars, seeing nothing.
wniie T1ODs COulihttcu OuI ayr dsohitt
the oompany's cars and employees.
Day before yesterday Policeman Schlepfer
arrested q motor rman named Charles Fisher
on frivolous charge Of not sounding his
gong at the Caly street crossing The
Company employed Mr.. Meigs a. attorney
to defend Fisher.
After being postponed at the instance Of
Mr.. Meigs, the case came TO trial before
Judge Peasley to-day. and after hearing
the evidence against the accused the Judge
dismissed the charge as utterly trivial
and unworthy OF consideration. whereupon
the policeman went straight TO headquar-
ters and gave up his shield and club. saying
he would no longer remain on the force.
The witnesses held in readiness by the
railroad company were not heard and il is
said their testimony would have thrown
even a stronger hight on the case than that
given by the Judges dismissal Of the charge.
Indications from all over tho State con-
tinue TO show intense interest on the part
OF labor unions everywhere in Connecticut
in the contest now on here. Letters In
great number como to the Central Labor
body, offering encouragement and assis-
tance. and there In a strong drift toward
making this Waterbury struggle test issue
for labor unionism In Connecticut