The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-03-08
Italians Engaged in Work of Excavation Want High
 CT Wages.
Firm Says It Will Pay More If Local Contractor
 Usually Pay More.
Superintendent Hain Makes Statement - Did Not Know that City Pays $1.75 for Similar Work and Eight Hours-New Gang Will Be Put On.

Thirty-five Italian laborers who have been employed in eXcavating for the foundations of the approach of the new Congress street bridge. on the west side of the river. went on strike this morning for more money. They have been receiving $1.35 day. They want $1.75 per day.
 As soon as the men laid down their tools Special Policeman Charles Mur- phy, who was on the job in the em- ploy of the concern. chased the 35 la borers off the work in order to- prevent any disorder. The strikers retired Patrolmen Coughlin. Dooley and An derSon to the scene, and they moved the gang off the street.
 Upon the advice of the police the contractors decided to pay the men off at o'clock. this afternoon and not to take on any more men until it could be decided as to what was the proper wages to pay.
 The strikers consulted Deputy Sheriff Louis Richards. and told him they would leave the matter in his hands for settlement. The deputy left word that the contractors could find him at his office if they wanted to take the matter up with him.
 Supt. J. C., Hain. of the firm of Snare. Triest & Co. which is doing the work, told a Farmer reporter that the firm wanted 10 Day dS money TOT la bor as was paid in this city. They said they had consulted with three of the largest contractors in the city be- fore setting the wage scale. They had been informed that IS cents hour was the average amount paid to la borers in Bridgeport. He said that it is the intention of the concern to pay as much as anybody else, and to pick more money. with the idea of getting good gang MT. Hain was of the opinion that Italian labor agents. who furnish labor -tos-contractorS had in formed the men that if they would quit they would get more money. He said the concern preferred to hire it's la bCrerS as individuals if it was possible to do SO.
 The strike had not been in effect more than a hour when two young Greeks visited Supt. Hain and told him he had been paying too much for labor and they would put men to work for S1.1O per day. The superintendent was of the opinion that the Greek la borers would be brought from New York. and he desired to hire laborers who reside in Bridgeport if possible.
 The firm will endeavor to put a new gange to work tomorrow. or the next day if the men can be secured here. Higher wages paid If the firm finds more then 15 cents an hour has been paid here. Supt. Hain was not aware that the city pays $1.75 a day for eight hours work the streets and in the city quarry.
 One of the Italian workers said through an interpreter that the bridge work is a city contract and that the same wages should be paid on it as is paid by the city on other work He thought the men would concede the the extra hour and work nine instead of eight hours for the same money
 It was thought by some that the trouble grew out of a fight on the job last Saturday when Officer Murphy ar fa6 nf fIa 1o1 fD,, stones at the head of the foreman, l James Januelli.