The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-09-18
Denial of Free Speech Was Attempt to Crush
 Workers, Says Johnson
ccont1nued from Page D

(Continued from Page D firms as the Remington Arms Go. and
 Union Metallic Cartridge Co. and the BuIlard Tool Machine Co.,. which had previously granted the eight-hour day.
 More firms are being added to the list daily, and we can reasonably expect that within a few weeks the eight hour day will be established in all
 shops and factories in Bridgeport. It has been conservatively estimated by one of the local papers that because
 of the activities of the machinists
 and the diplomatic way in which che
 matter has been handled, already
 more than 31.0O0 employees of the workshops in Bridgeport have had
 their hours reduced and their wages
 increased.
 q spent more than, a week in
 Bridgeport conferring with different
 people, advising and counse1ling our
 members, and trying to point out
 what would be the best way to handle
 this gigantic undertaking.
 While in the New England States decided to call together all of our field men who are working in that section, to formulate definite plans for fearrying on the campaign for the tshorters workday. Some had been working in one direction. some in an- other, and it was deemed advisable to hold a conference in order that bet ter understanding might be reached so that our organizing staff could work along more uniform lines. The con ference lasted from early morning un- til 10 p. m. Every phase of the situa- ton was carefully canvassed and as a result certain definite policies were agreed upon. which will prove of great benefit to our association.
 T was also priviliged to visit the city of Boston to look over the situa- ton in that vicinity and had the pleasure of addressing an openLafr meeting at one of the large shops during the noon-hour. Later I re- turned to Bridgeport and then to New York city. where we had conference of our representatives in New York and New Jersey
 ..The days spent in New England were the most strenuous I have ever experienced. We were constantly on the move, with scarcely time to secure sufficient sleep. In spite of the fact that we were exceedingly tired in body we returned to headquarters feel ing that this trip had been one of the most profitable visits we have ever made to any locality
 ttNothing would have pleased me more than to have been able to re main there and assist in the cam paign, but owing to the meeting of the general executive board in Washing ton, commencing August 16. I was compelled to return. Since returning to headquarters reports have been coming daily of new achievem ents not only in Connecticut but in all parts of the New England States.
 .tIn the opinion of the writer this is simply the beginning of a great for ward movement. While it is the ma chinists who are making the fight, all of the working people are being bene- fitted either directly, or indirectly Our organizing campaign and the agitation for a. shorter workday have spread to all of the cities in. the Eastern States. predict that we are going to have one of the most fruitful periods in the history of dur association, not only in the way of increased membership, but in securing improved conditions for the toi1ers of the nation. g sThe officers and members are en- thusiastic, non-union men are awak- ening and aff11iating with us in large numbers, and with our forces united and operating together .stiH greater achievements will be attained