The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-01-16
Workingmen's Conference Com mittee Take Steps to Prepare Great Petition
Work Will be of Greatest Value in Enabling Democratic Sena- tors and Representatives to Make Referendum Plank of Democratic Platform Effective

The workingmen of Bridgeport are In revolt against charter legislation proceeding from limited groups and procured under the influence of the two or three politicians who may chance to be in power at Hartford The work which they will do is ex- pected 10 be of the greatest assistance to the Democratic Senators and Rep resentatives in the present General Assembly. whose duty it is. under the platform of their party to see that nc charter amendment becomes operative unless opportunity Is provided for It's submission to the voters.
 Every voter in Bridgeport will be requested to give his attention to the petition which will be laid before him by canvessers for the Workingmen's Cnnference committee of Bridgeport, some time during the next week or ten days. The petition is addressed to Governor Baldwin and the Represen- tatives and Senators of Connecticut and demands that no changes in the charter of the city of Bridgeport be made. without first having receiveo the approval of the mayor and board of aldermen, and finally having been laid before the electors of Bridgeport for . referendum vote of approval or rejection.
 At a meeting of the Conference com mitfee yesterday the work of circulat- iug thin petition for signatures was planned and the members took up the project with enthusiasm. believing that a fundamental principle of American xovernment Is involved in letting the people make their own laws, rather than having them ready-made by the TaxpayerT league. or any other small
 Ths city win be canvassed by dis fricts. and chairmen have been ap- pointed In each district to take charge Of fhe canvassers who will distribute the petitions Headquarters will be naAs5kn& Mashtntsts' -se&ffs .e. Wall 6As and anyone desiring to take part in the work should report at this hall and be assigned to a territory.
 In order to make the canvassing as complete and orderly as possible. and to avoid repetitions and mistakes, the voting lists of the city will be used and 1t Is the aim of the committee to give every voter in Bridgeport an opportunity to afffx his signature to this petition
 If time permits. mass meetings will be held and the meaning of the pro- posed amendments to the city charter will be explained and the voters will also be given an inkling of some of the things that are in store In this line which have not yet been an- nounced. The importance of the ref srendum principle will be made clear, and delegations will be appointed to wait upon Bridgeport's Senators and Representatives in the present Legis- lature.
 The petition Is headed as follows:
 ITO his excellency Governor Bald win, the Senators and Representatives of Connecticut:
 we the undersigned citizens and electors of Bridgeport petition that your honorable bodies enact no legis- iatfon respecting the charter of the City of Bridgeport. unless such legis- iation h first approved by our elected representatives,, the mayor and the board of aldermen. and further that no such legislation be enacted until laid before the electors of the City of Bridgeport for . final vote of ap- prova1 or rejection"