New Britain herald., 1915-09-27
Over 1000 Strikers at Mass Meeting in Turner Hall and 55o Are Said to Have Joined Union
OFFICIALS CLAIM W0RKMEN
 ARE RETURNING TO SHOPS
Department at Russell & Erwin's Af- fccted by Acknowledgements Said to Be in Minds of Machine Company Officials-All Quiet in Other Plants Today.

Company Oficials-An Quiet in
 Other Plants Today.
 Today was the quietest since the be- ginning of the strike, there being but one more walkout recorded and this was of a minor nature. Factory of- ;ficials report that a number of the strikers are returning to work, par ticularly at the New Britain Machine company, the Corbin Annex and the Union Works.
 The strike at the Corbin Screw Cor poration where number of the ern- ployees walked out Saturday increas- ing the force out to over 1,200 was further augmented today when a num- x Der of those who remained in Satur- day did not report for work. It was estimated this morning that but 200 z were at their machines, and at o'clock the crowd seemed to have been depleted much more, it being conservatively estimated that about Y one-half of this number had not re- turned.
 Grinders Refuse To Start. X The polishers and grinders who were granted the old scale of wages Saturday by the screw corporation officials and who were supposed to start work this morning, assembled at the gate shortly before o'clock, and held preliminary conference and at its conclusion most of them depart ed while others went into the shop, only to come out again. Later the officials admitted that the men had not started work.
 Are Not Hiring Help.
 While reporter was standing at the gate this morning a man talked with one of the officials and asked for a job. He was informed that the company was not putting any men to work at present.
 Many Afraid To Work.
 Many tales are being heard in the vicinity of the factory by workmen who walk as far as the gate, gaze longingly at the shop and then slowly walk away. Some of these men when interviewed state that they are willing to work, but fear of others prevents them.
 Mother Leads Boy To Shop. Shortly before o'clock this morn ing a woman and small boy were noticed approaching the screw shop gate and the woman turned the boy over to policemen with the order that he be taken into the factory and placed at work.
 Knock But Do Not Enter.
 A number of male and female em- ployes of one of the affected depart ments arrived at the factory with bundles under their arms which ap- peared to be their working apparel, and as they were about to enter the doors, they were approached by a young man who hurriedly spoke a few words to them in a foreign accent. The crowd then turned and marched out, with a look of satisfaction on their faces
 Mass Meeting Held.
 What is estimated to be the largest tabor mass meeting ever held in this city took place at old Turner hall this morning at 10 o'clock when the strikers at the Corbin Screw corpora ton assembled to form tentative plans for union among their ranks. Long before the meeting was called to or der by President M T. Kerwin of the c. l.. U., the hall was taxed to it's ca pacity, and it was estimated that over 1000 were in attendance. President kerwin talked to the men and women, for considerable length of time and urged them to remain away from the factories and preserve good order. He assured them that nothing was to be gained by congregating about the shop gates or creating any trouble. He next introduced State Organizer Lar kin of the Machinists' union, who gave An enthusiastic talk on the benefits to be derived by organization. His re- marks were received with vociferous applause.
 Sol" Sontheimer, second vice president of the Connecticut Fedora tion of Labor, was the next speaker His remarks were along the same line as the previous speakers. He said the Workmen of this city had the golden opportunity of their lives if they W ould Gnite in the International Machinists Association of America.
 Speakers in Italian, Polish and Ar menian also addressed the meeting At the close of the speechmaking is estimated that over $50 men signed the role in the Machinists' union.
 A press committee was appointed and also a committee from each department to meet the company's of- acials if arbitration plans are devised For settling the strike.
 z The Corbin Screw Corporation em- \ ployes plan to hold another meeting
 m E.1axorft D,ra