The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-05-23
LUXURIOUS LIFE
 FOR MEN HIRED ID BREAK STRIKE
Floating Hotel Has Fine Fare and Good
 Beds
Portuguese Latest Importation They Can't Understand ITl-
 pOrtunitieS of Strikers

The inner workings of the New Ha- ven strike situation at the Bridgeport freight yards, with it's floating bar racks. miniature army of men f4on1 all walks of life and chmes. were re- vealed today for the first time when reporter for The Farmer penetrat- ing the cordon of detectives gained access to the Steamer Fall River" Shortly before noon today, it was as- certained that it was expected be- tween 25 and 50 men, brought to this city as strike breakers, would desert the company. It was further learned that a little boat had quietly slipped into the harbor, early this morning bearing heterogeneous assortmen of Portuguese Fishermen from New Bed- ford and Providence, negroes from the Indies and others whose ignorance of the English tongue made them inn mune from any attempts of the strik- CTS to dissuade them from work.
 On the way to the boat two strike breakers at once consented to tell how they were brought to Bridgeport. They said they were only a pair of the 40 who expected to quit before night. One said he had been picked upon the streets of Boston. He had arrived from San Francisco but two hours before and was afraid the police
 
 preached and told him he could get $2 a day and transp ortation to Bridge port if he would work in the freight yards. He was glad to come. A com panion related a sinai1ar experience in Providence. They said they had been paid 25 cents an hour here and were. not always worked. When they want ed to quit they had to work five hours for their transportation or join the thrOng upon the streets in Bridgeport.
 It was asserted that a vast number of men had already come here and gone. Some of them got as far as nearby saloon and never went back to. the boat.
 At the dock about 25 Portuguese men and West Indies negroes were lounging about. In the large freight shed an equal number of American hundred or more neat and clean1y made cots. It was said that these were the reserve men of which there are nearly 100 kept for an emergency.
 On board the Fall River where the reporter was greeted by Capt. Jack Barrett, the after part of the lower deck was a, vista of cots and upon the upper deck the same condi- tionS obtained. On the forward sec tion of the main-decke long board tables, lined with plates, new knives and forks, and piles of palatabIe bread ana DuLL0F IeSIlI1eQ that accom- nOd9- ton was made for 21O. This figure was later confirmed as the number brought here to take strikers places today. A large kettle of fresh-f1sh chowder. the finest baked potatoes and savory Iamb-stew. all the in gradients of which were purchased in Bridgeport was simmering upon the stove. Samples of all inc1uding a cup of coffee was offered for the inspec- ton of the press and proved the best William J. Woods. the steward of the floating hotel can be credited with preserving order among the mass of men by the food which is given them 1
 At the offices of the company it was said that the strike here is to be broIz- 1 en at any cost. Though the feeding 1 and lodging of such a number of men is costly and it is hoped to have con tro1 of the situation and permanently 1 locate many of the present strike | breakers here within short time, the l importation of outside workers will | continue until the situation clears
 It was said that both freight sta tions and the transfer point were be- ing kept open, 40 men being employ | ed today The balance is kept in re- | serve. This morning Is old Bridge | port laborers are said to have return ed, while four strike-breakers had left | yesterday to return with their fanai- 1 lies.
 The Portuguese fishermen and West Indies negroes will be used only ir | case of the Agency men, striking within the strike.