Waterbury Democrat., 1903-01-28

Tne SCr1ke or the trolley men cOntln- ues without any practical variation. It is one of the most unique strikes that has taken place in New England. It is the first that is known where the striking employees went into business on their own hook against their for mer employers. A ridiculous report was current yesterday to the effect that the trolley company was going to get Colonel ,Burpee to get out an in- Junction restraining them from engag- ing as public carriers, but Colonel Burpee laughed at the idea when ask ed about it. He said it was q very good way for the men to spend their money. Mir, Sewell said about the same thing only he called it dust" but in practice there is no difference. 1t was quite dramatic yesterday noon to witness the loaded sleighs and 'buses and the almost empty cars, the former rushing through Exchange place, the others standing empty and idle, the public conveyance of the goth century. the modern rapid vehicle ig- nored for the slow going antique rusty bus. The temper of the people was shown in this exhibition. It is shown daily in the same way and when it is all over and peace once more reigns the city people will say it was the quietest strike they remember.
 The crowds standing on the side walks gazing at the empty trolley cars and loaded buses was striking con- tradiction to what Mir Sullivan, one of the presidents of the state federation of labor. said during the machinists strike here some years ago The strike had been on week or two and some or the strikers were mourning the in- action of the machinists employed by the Scovill Manufac curing company. It will be recollected that great things were expected from this company. Everybody expected that the company fSyould be magnanimous and see the lreasonableness of the demands of the men. The company asked for time notwithstanding that they already had had about eight months in which to consider the proposition. The time was granted and great results were ex- pected. Everybody knows the result: the company refused to grant the nine hour day, or even any of the other de- mands that accompanied that one.
 They are not fully organized in that shop anyway said one of the striking machinists.
 'No,' said another one, s'they are not half organized in the city,
 NO" replied Mir Sullivan bitterly. his voice choking with disappoint- ment, nor will it ever be organized. This is the most peculiar town I ever was in regarding unionism. Nothing Will ever organize it.''
 Had Mr Sullivan been in the crowds on Exchange place yesterday he would nave a living contradiction to his prophecy. Almost every man and wo- man that stood on the sidewalks was member of some union. Every trade, shop and building is fully organized now, excepting possibly the machin- lsts. and their united strength is shown II the $l,OOO they contribute every week to the maintenance of the trol- ley men on strike.
 At noon to-day the end of the strike was not ln view, nor were there any nego1ations on hand to bring it about. But the men can fight it out. They nave the people back of them. The strike will go down in industrial his- tory as singular in that respect. It is now almost three weeks old. The cars nave been running two weeks to-mor- row. The company's officials say they cannot tell what the company has been losing since the strike began but they can tell what their receipts have been since the cars began running. People say this is very strange; that they ought to have as much informa uon about the one as the other. How ever, It IS apparent to all that the en- tlre trolley system does not earn S5 a day these days.
 The executive committee of the strikers issued the following statement to-day.
 The eighteenth day of our strike finds matters practically unchanged. The men are present at roll calls without miss and their enthusiasm and good nature are unabated.
 The resolution from the Business Mems association concerning intimi- dati0n, boycotting, etc, was presented to the meeting yesterday afternoon. lt was accepted and ordered on file, sud vote was passed endorsing the recommendation. The men are not in favor of intimidation and have ta- ken no part in any such work, if any has really been done.
 It seems to us that the trolley com nany is not satisfied with the quiet manner in which we have been con- ducting our strike We believe they would enjoy occasional riots and per haps be pleased to see a couple of reg iments of state troops patrolling the city. We have been altogether too Iamb-Iike. So last night the other side took hand in the game and started little music for themselves. It wouldn't look wei in print. accord ing to the company's idea, so it vas not given out to the reporters last evening. A couple of small boys threw snowballs at one of the strike breakers as he was turning the switch en route to OalSville. So frenzied did the fellow become that he chased one Of the boys with q switch bar. Catch Ing the little lad, he threatened to knock his brains out, but was inter fered with by gentleman who saw the incident and who took the boy into R nearby store. At this juncture As-