The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1913-09-16
TYPOGRAPHICAL
UNIONS ANSWER
TO Sen. M'NEIL

The following statement from the
Typographical Union committee was
submitted to The Farmer today for
which appeared in The Farmer Satur-
day from Senator Archibald Mcneil,
Jr.:
With a long and hard winter before
us-with its consequent rise in the
price of coaI-a toot to the big and
little Democrats of the Seventh dis
trict that he will show them something
this fall and another toot to organized
labor that he can get along without
their support, surely the future looks
black, painted by Archie Mcneil
! in guise of Little Boy Blue and his
horn.
In the communication published in
the Farmer, Saturday Q3th), Mr.. Nc
Neil devotes much space to his deal
| ings with a committee from the Typo
graphical Union that waited upon him
and, he alleges. demanded the imme-
date discharge of his faithful non
union employees, whom he dearly loves
and will remain faithful to, and says
Mr. Mcneil further, he is perfectly
willing that the union Representatives
tell of all dealings he had with them
"if they will tell the truth Now,
isn't that nice of Mr.. Mcneil?
The International Typographical
Union, one of the oldest and most con-
business in this country, has, through
its different subordinate locals scat
tered all over the North American
continent, agreements with about 50
per cent of the publishers and own
ers of printing establishments.
About all of the largest newspapers
and magazines being published at the
present time throughout the country
are being issued through working
agreements had with our Information
bility, fairness and conservatism is
recognized by the newspaper interests
of the country, SO much SO, that the
large publications are issued under
Typographical Union auspices and the
members of the organization are just
ly proud of their record.
Consequently, when the Bridgeport
Morning Telegram came under control
Of the Mcneil family about the first
of the present year, Bridgeport Typo
graphical Union, under authority OF
its International organization, as is
customary, appointed a, committee to
wait upon the new owners of the
Telegram and endeavor to enter into
negotiations for the papers publica-
ton under union conditions.
The committee waited on the new
owners-or rather Archibald Mcneil,
Jr.-put before him their proposition
in a business-like manner as behtted
decent citizens and not in the strong
arm, DulIQOZ1ng way DIS IO1O ny
MdNeil. There was never any de-
mand or request, either direct or i'm
piled, made for the immediate dis
charge of present employees. of the Tele-
gram and in saying otherwise Mr.. Nc
Neil tells deliberate falsehood and
he knows it.
Mr.. McNeil's assertion to the con-
trary cannot be overlooked by Bridge
port Typographical Union, as the con-
fidence reposed in that organization
by some of the largest and most in
huential business men of this city
who have working agreements Goth
written and verbal) with the union as
a body, demands that we deny Mr.. NC
NeiPs assertion and tell the truth pub
licly.
In another part of the Farmers ar
ticle it says that it would be more
Iaw-abiding,. dignif1ed and becoming
for some one to state the unions prop |
osition strictly it's merits if it has
merits.
Well, it has merits and noble ones.
1t is organized to keep working con-
ditions of toilers in the printing in |
dustry at top-notch; it's work in the
checking of inroads made by the
great white plague on followers of the |
printing industry, at its Union Print |
ers' Home at Colorado Springs, alone |
are reasons meritorious enough to give
the organization a standing which it
enjoys with some of the largest bust
ness corporations in the country.
But why continue further? Mr..
Mcneil says he wants no more Of our
discriminating threats and his paper
can get along without the good will
and support Of the members of or
ganized labor throughout the state |
Little Boy Blue has footed his horn;
his pride's been hurt and his dignity
torn
Mr.. Editor, if you will allow the fore
going to occupy s7ace in today's issue
of your paper perhaps a. little more
respect will be accorded to Bridgeport
Typogra phica1 Uniont than what was
left after reading Mr.. McNeil's state
ment as published in Saturdays issue
of your paper.
EDWARD BENNETTO,
JAMES A. COATES,
Committee from Typographical Union
who waited upon Mr.. Mcneil.