New Britain herald., 1915-09-28
LIVING WAGE AND ' MINIMUM PAY FOR
 GIRLS AT N. & J.
These Are Demands of Strikers Which May Affect Entire
 East Side of Concern
HIGH COST OF LIVING IS
 JUSTIFICATION FOR STRIKE


 JUSTIFICATION FOR STRIKE Police Sent to Scene When Big Crowd
 Congregates But Bluecoats Are Not
 Needed-Strikers Reply to Machine
 (,omnany Oncials-Traut x Hine
 May Experience Walkout-fresi- dent Johnston Here Tomorrow.
 A new strike broke out in the city today, when thirty-two workmen en- '4ployed at the North & Judd Manu- facturing company after presenting their demands for increased wages and shorter hours, to cover the en- tire east side of the concern on Stanley street, refused to start Work, despite the fact that most or tho number went to their benches ana machines awaiting the companys de- cision on the matter. It was short Fly before o'clock that Superinten- dent Johnson of the concern arrived at the gate where he was met by a committee and presented with the de- mands. It is estimattd that several hundred were in the crowd, but only the above mentioned number re- fused to enter the factory.
 The Demands.
 .sIn view of the fact that the cost of living at present is much above our earnings in your plant, we, the e1n- ployees, demand and beg of you to. grant our demands, an eight hour day and an increase in our wages. We want the following:
 Hours, eight day, A a week; over time, time and half.
 Men above twenty to receive, piece work, $3.00; day work, $2.75.
 Less than twenty to receive, from IS to 20. $1.75; less than IS, $1.bO.
 Girls female semployeesNtorar receive not less than $8 for A hours a week.
 This committee IS empowered to act in behalf of all the employees, and can also settle as they find fit"
 Talks With Employes.
 Superintendent Johnson, on receipt Of the demands, talked with the men and assured them that they were at liberty at any time to meet him and discuss the matter further. In talk with reporter he assured him that the company has always been sol1c1- tfous as to the welfare of the men and on many occasions it has increased wages where it was deemed necessary. He cited on incident this morning of one of the leaders in the strike who, fafter loafing nine months last year, ..during the depression, had practically begged for work and it was secured for him. When the present crisis ar rived he was one of the leading movers for the strike.
 Foundry Still Idle.
 Superintendent Johnson admitted today that the striking workmen now number between 25O and 300. Of this number most of them molders who were among the first to go out. None has as yet returned to work but tho company intends to start as soon gas enough of the workmen show an inclination to return. Helpers have been at work in the annealing kilns for the past few days, and the brass foundry continues to operate, it is claimed.
 < Police on Scene.
 When the strikers left the factory this morning they congregated at the ' corner Of East Main and Stanley streets. The place has been under { police supervision for the past few < days. but the corps was felt to be in- adequate The patrol was summoned tc the scene and a number of the regular force were dispatched with 1t to disperse the crowd. The men moved away quietly and showed no inclination to become quarrelsome.
 Good Feeling Exists. During the talk with the reporter Superintendent Johnson spoke of the good feeling existing between the officials and the workmen. He said that in the event of any of the men wishing to return they would be glad 1y accepted by the company and no animosity would be shown against them. He feels that the situation in the factory will be matter of history : in a few days and all will be back at work.
 More Out at Screw Corp.
 From the officials of the Corbin Screw corporation comes the informa- a ton today that the ranks of the work men have been increased today by at least 100. This is denied by the strikers, who claim more men have left. An employ of the speedometer room admitted today that that de- partment had joined with the strik- A CTS today. It was reported about the streets this morning that the factory was contemplating closing down in- definitely but this As denied by off, cials.
 What the Strikers Say. .s One of the leaders of the striking n1achinists at the New Britain Ma chine company was interviewed this
 fcoutinued on Eleventh Page.)