Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-09-05
Letter from General Manager.
New Haven, Sep

ANCN iidNCht oCPL lVVo. To the Motormen and Conductors of
 the Connecticut and New York and
 Stamford Lines:
 Gentlemen. It has come to my at- tention there is agitation looking to- ward strike on the part of the em- ployes of this company, because of certain alleged injustice to the em- ployes of another company, to wit, the Rhode Island Co in Providence, It being claimed that certain em- ployes of the latter company have been discharged. because of their joining union.
 With the management of the Rhode Island Co have nothing to do, but have acquainted myself with the facts in the case, and am au- thorized to state that the question of union or non-union had nothing to do with the discharge of the men in Providence, and I am assured by the president, who is also president of this company, that there is no preju- dice on his part toward union labor, and he would not allow any employe to be discharged for such cause.
 The men in question were dis charged, among other reasons, for violating the plain terms of writ ten agreement they had made with the officers of the company employ ing them, and the officers of the Con- necticut Go have no power in the premises and cannot secure the re- instatement of these, men under any circumstances
 am assured that were it possible for the officers of the Rhode. Island Co to abolish its agreement with it's employees, and so relieve itself from its obligation thereunder, there would be no objection on the part of such officers to the employees forming a union similar to that existing among the employees of this com pany. A majority of the employees i'll Providence, however, are determined to hold the company to it's obliga- tions under such agreement, and, so long as a single employe insists, his rights are absolute and the company is without power to release itself from the terms of the agreement
 Under the circumstances there is but one possible course open. The Rhode Island Cos cannot change the situation, and if the employees of this company persist in forcing the issue, and struggle is to come. 1t must continue until one party or the other is exhausted.
 Had this company any prejudice or disposition to oppress union labor or do anything to disrupt its organ ization, there is ample opportunity for exercise of power other than in Providence, and it is we'll known to all employees of this company that the officials, from the president down, have always been disposed to treat the men with justice, aad many oc- casions will testify to th.s
 The relations between this com pany and it's employees have been most satisfactory To the best of my knowledge there exists no dissatis- faction over wages, conditions of em- ployment, or otherwise Therefore, to SduoC iOS5s anu over situation developed in connec- tion with another company with which we have nothing to do can only result in the loss of positions of those who are leaders, and in the possible re-employment of some of those who strike, starting at the bottom of the list.
 At a time when the labor market is overstocked. when thousands of competent men are seeking work, the company takes this opportunity to try and Gissuade its employees from making serious mistake in attempr- ing to meddle with a situation of which they know nothing, except through misrepresentation, pertain ing to another company in another section of the country, to prevent their being used as tools to accom- plish an end in which they are not interested, for such action as is in contemplation can only be attended with disaster, discredit union labor, cause loss to the company. far great CT loss to the employees, and distress full inconvenience to an innocent pub lie, resulting in no possible good to any one. Yours truly.
 JOHN K. PUNDERFORD,
 General Manager.