New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-24
MUNITION STRIKE
TO START ANEW,
FEAR
Stormy Conference Be-
tween Labor Heads
Makes City Uneasy.
GOMPERS REITERATES
GERMAN GOLD CHARGE
Says Keppler and Other Leaders
Are Honorable, but Trouble Is
FOmented by TeutOns.
Prom star Correspondent, Of The Tribune. |


Bridgeport, Conn, July 23.-After an
all day conference between Samuel
Gompers and twea.y labor leaders of
national prominence Bridgeport is very
nervous tonight lest the peace which
seemed so certain last night may be
broken by the Developments of the
morrow. As matters stand tonight
whether or not Bridgeport is to be
secord Lawrence hangs upon single
question so delicate that its nature
cannot be described
The developments of the day were:
five-hour conference, which was
stormy at times, between Gompers and
international and local leaders.
The Endorsement by the Federation
Of Labor heads of all of the demands
of the trades involved in the strike
now on here.
The declaration of Gompers that the
federation WILL back the workers in the
400 muniuon plants of the country for
an eight-hour day.
His reiteration of the charge that
German money is being used to inhu-
cnce seamen and 'longshoremen to
strike and TO foment trouble in other
places.
Exoneration by him of local leaders
of any charge of being so Influenced.
Denied by manufacturers that the
machinists have made any demands
upon them.
Arrival in Bridgeport of Industrial
Workers of the World agitators.
j. j. O'Neill, secretary of the local
Central Labor Union, told GOmpcrs
that a considerable element in Bridge
port resented his intrusion in the
strike. and felt that II was able to
handle local problems without any out
side aid. This was ironed out by the
explanation that no effort was being
made to dictate to local men.
Then the question of German infu-
ence was taken up. Gompers frankly
declared that he had made no reflection
upon John J. Keppler and John g.
Johnston, in charge of the strike here.
or against any local leader. He in
sisted, however, that German money
was being used to foment trouble.
The question of the status of the
tee for settlement. An agreement IS
expected tomorrow.
Next in order was the question of a
general strike throughout New Eng
land. The machinists' leaders ex-
planned that the time was ripe for in
sis.ence upon the eight hour day. The
movement was approved. This plan,
according to John j. Keppler, contem-
plates the striking of the Winchester
Arms plant in New Haven within the
next ten days unless IN the meantime
the company should grant the eight
hour day.
After this conference adjourned
Frank S. Morrison, for the Federation
chiefs, gave out this statement:
The conference after q thorough
discussion of the industrial dispute ex-
listing in Bridgeport has reached the
unanimous conclusion that the de-
mands made by the trades are reason
able and just, and are therefore in
dorsed, and if necessary, every possible
assistance to secure the demands will
be given by the American Federation
of Labor"
Mr.. Gompers was asked to explain
his charge that German gold had in
fuenced the present strike difficulties
here. lie answered: what | did say
was that emissaries of foreign ma
ton were at work to corrupt seamen
and longshoremen to 20 on strike and
refuse to handle ali products going to
the Allies. made no reference to
Bridgeport | stated that have not
any hesitancy in believing that the
same influences are at work elsewhere,
and for the same purposes. Tint
statement was made by me before the
Bridgeport trouble occurred. Nor did
| refer to Messrs. Keppler or Johnston.
They are honorable men"
1T has been stated, Mr.. Gompers,
that an effort will be made to force the
400 factories in this country now max
ing munitions of war to 20 upon an
eight hour basis. Is the federation
back of that"
"If the workmen in this country can
get the eight hour day they should
have it, The American Federation Of
Labor has always tried to get the eight
hour day Only last November it re-
iterated its demands for the eight hour
day