The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-07-10
PANAMA ZONES SOCIAL EXPERT
 IN BRIDGEPORT Studying Problem of How to Care For Great Influx of
 Workmen Here. BIG MEETING OF =
 ARMS EMPLOYES Joseph A. Page, Former Government Officer, Pre-
 sides at Gathering.

Joseph A. Page, who for years had charge of the social welfare work among the thousands of government employees in the Panama Canal zone, is in this city and is assisting in the efforts to meet the sudden demand made on Bridgeport by the increase in population.
 Skilled because of the successful attempt to give the vast army of men transferred from the cities of the United States to the undeveloped Panama country, the advantages they had had at home. MT. Page Is direct ing his knowledge and energy here. At the meeting of a great body of young men from other towns. and employed in the Remington Arms & Ammunition Co. plant, held last night at the Y. M. c. A convocation room. MT. Page presided at what was a, con- ference to discuss matters pertainin g to the general welfare of the employees at the big plant and in particular, the suddenly serious social conditions that have arisen from the influx
 -Four important topics were discuss ed. They had to do with boarding house accommodadon ons, street car ser vice, social and amusement features and banking facilities. Nearly all the men present were newcomers to Bridgeport. All that was needed, they agreed. was a little reliable in formation and a little co-operat1on on Ntne part Of city authorities to make ridgeport an ideal home for the great employed by the Remington Go.
 The first essential decided was that of Q, guide to Bridgeport, containing map of the city, a description of it's public utility features andN places of amusement, and above all a list of de- siraIole boarding places with rates and conveniences described This was was appointed to arrange for the>com- pilation of such a work for the use of Remington employees.
 s There was some complaint about street car service, and as the mum ibers of men to be carried to the plant each day will be rapidly increasing, it was proposed to bring a. request for pnoportio ionately improved service be- fore the proper authorities
 Another subject that was debated most seriously was that of banking facilities. Where men are employed by the thousands and where all are bJsily engaged during regular bank bank where they can deposit thear sur plus funds each week or each month, as the case may be, which they can check against when in need Of cash, was particularly apparent I
 Most of the Remington men are paid on Friday. of each week. and it was decided to take steps leading to an arrangement with some bank or banks to remain open to receive de- posits for an hour or two on Friday evenings It speaks we'll for the cali ber of the men employed by the Rom ington Go. when the matter of bank ing facilities should demand such inn mediate and urgent attention on the part of the former, and as Bridgeport Is . w1de-awake business city there Eis little doubt that prompt measures will be taken to comply with the re- quest of the men when the matter is brought to the notice of the local financierS.
 Other matters concerning the vel fare and comfort of the men at the works filled in the rest of the time of the meeting. which adjourned to meet again soon when further steps will be taken to form a, permanent or ganizatton to complete the measures already suggested