The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-09-07
PUBLIC OPINION

To the Editor of thu Farmer-Sir:
In the issue of Sept 1st and End ]
note that the Ansonia Sentinel COM
ments on IIabor's Holiday and the
workingmen of the Naugatuck Valley
and it's immediate surroundings.
It says that although there has been
a necessary curtailment in trade yet
the willing wage Garner has not lack
ed for employment to maintain him
self and family in comfort and in
many instances to enjoy a share of
the luxuries which go to make life
pleasanter and happier. I am sorry
that the Sentinel cannot record the
fact that all of the workers of that
vicinity are enjoying some of the
luxuries of life, it certainly would
sound much better, for I know of
none who is more entitled to the same
than the< workers, the ones that ac-
tuafly perform the work and make
the dividends possible, thus enabling
others who do not concern themselves
with work to enjoy the greater part
of these Injuries.
1t further says that there is no COM
munity in which the level of wages
is higher Or where it is possible for
labor to add to it's savings without
grinding self denial.
That certainly is something to be
proud of. Why should the grinding
self denial be necessary to save?
The Sentinel says when labor is en-
parades and listening to tedious adj
dresses. which is I believe a very
poor conception of Labor Day.
am convinced that the Workers
of that vicinity have intelligence
enough to know how to use the day
and why it was made a holiday In
expressing the wish that they
he in, nh,.in
they be unfit to pursue their voca-
lions the following day is showing
the workers just about the true feel
ing that is had for them and is cling
ing pretty close to the dollar mark.
. In Ansonia and vicinity labor is
fairly well organized and we find the
Sentinel advising organized labor to
adopt a rigid plan for increasing the
efficiency of its members and furth-
er says workingmen no longer work,
as diligentlyo as faithfully as former
~, and that they tire themselves
striving to accomplish as little as
possible and that these conditions can
be found in any industrial center of
New England
AS a member of a trade union that
takes a prominent part in the indus
trial life of Ansonia and vicinity 1
want to say that according to my view
such statements are absolutely with
out foundation and that the workers
of today are as a rule doing more for
a days work than ever before. Still
the employees are not satisfied, but
seem to be anxious to install Tay-
lorism so that they make a speed
merchant of the men for few years
and then the scrap pile with them if
the pace becomes too swift.
l sincerely believe that no where
can there be found a better or more
intelligent lot of workers than the
readers of the Ansonia Sentinel and
the paper should be proud of them and
the opportunity to furnish the news
of the day to them.
Organized labor is fully capable of
working out it's own salvation and
knows just what it has to contend
with.
We are progressing every day taking
note as to who are our friends and
striving diligently to place our move
ment high up in that dignified posi-
ton in the affairs of the world that
we have already assumed. Organized
labor knows what it is entitled to and
means to secure the same.
Things do move, we are living in
a progressive age and it seems awful
hard for some people to realize it.
A TRADE UNIONIST