The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1913-10-01
Three of Coe-Stapley Union
Men Locked Up Follow
ing Clash.
CASE CONTINUED
TO GET WITNESSES
Strike Breakers Coming From
Their Shore Cottage En-
counter Strikers And
Hot Argument
EnSueS.

Said to have been led by a min
lister of the GOSPEL a clash this morn
ing occurred between strikers and
strike breakers at the Coe-StapIev
companys manufacturing plant at
Bostwick and Railroad avenue which
resulted in the arrest of three strfl-
ers charged with breach of the peace.
Those under arrest are William viii
hams, John Haberle and Harry Web ,
steri all residing at Milford and mem
bers of the international Brass Pol
1ehers' and Buffers Union. The com
pla1nants who caused their appreheu-
sion are William Lord, of Milford AMI
Rev. Edward Phreance, pastor of the
Black Hall Methodist church and also
a resident of Milford.
In the city court this mornfne q
continuance of the case was granted
that both sides might gather wit
nesses. No evidence was submitted
and bonds for the release of the prfs-
oners were set at $25 which were
promptly furnished by members of the
union. At the Coe-StapIey plant this
morning, members of the firm refused
to make any statement for publica-
tion.
According to the version Of the af-
fair given by the strikers themselves, Z
the strike has now been in progress /
Tor the past i've months. Demands !
for more equitable scale of hours
and pay were refused and twenty-five
machinists, accompanied by a number
Of employees in other departments
walked out. Though an attempt upou
the part of the company to replace
union labor with outside help with the
aid of strike-breaking agencies and
special detectives failed, and the ex-
tensive commissary and barrack sys-
tenn was abandoned, the strikers have
maintained regular benefits and by
pickettng have practically Nrought
business to a standstiu.
The strikers have been furnished
with a cottage "Quiesta No. 112' at
Myrtle beach. This cottage contain
ing ten large rooms, and equipped with
a chef has been well patronized by
the striking machinists who make
daily trips to this city to maintain
their picket forces.
The strikers allege that as usual
they boarded a car coming through
Bridgeport and that upon the same
car were Lord and DR.. Phreance, who !
while regularly ordained and preach J.
tng on Sundays in the Black Hall .
church has been employed a ma
chinist by the Coe-Stap1ey Co. There :
is alleged to have been no conVersa- !
ton between the two factions until
they reached Bostwick avenue where ;
some of the pickets attempted to dis
suade them from continuing. Lord
is credited with having become ez-
cited and to have offered fight. It
does not appear that he was accom-
modated but DR.. Phreance walked +
across the street and complained to
Sergt. O'ConnelI and PatroIrnan KeI-
ly, who have been specially detailed B.
to the scene of trouble. The arrests o.
had to be made upon the complaint
of the men.
The strikers were particularly bit
ter against the treatment they aI1ege
are accorded them by the Coe-Stapley 4
Co, whom they a11ege to be grossly B.
defiant in their attitude towards or
ganized labor. William Williams.
one of the men under arrest and bus
mess agent here of the Machinists
Union, affiliated with the American
Federation of Labor said:
Upon the door of their factory (Coe-
Stapley) you will see that they are
members of the Manufacturers Asso-
citation of this city. We have always
found that organization fair in it's at
titude towards union labor and I be-
lieve if they were fully informed q g
to the details of the present strike the
Coe people would not have their back
ing. The public are entitled to hear
both sides of question, but in this in
stance the Coe people have time and
time again refused to lay their side
before the public. What is the an
swer? They are a absolutely wrong
A reporter for The Farmer gained n
few minutes interview with Mr.. Cos
at the Bryant Electric Company's fac
tory where he was waiting for a car.
Admission to the factory was refused.
the Office doors being locked to the
public Questioned as to the arrests,
Mr.. Coe denied that he knew of them.
Asked as to his attitude towards
unionism he refused to make any
statement and finally asked If the
length and nature of the strike did not
require some public statement from the
side, he made it plain
that the company and its officers
would refuse to answer questions OF
any nature whatsoever.