New Britain herald., 1915-10-01
Factory Superintendent Talks to
 Employees at TrumbulPS
NO ANSWER TO BULLETIN
Workmen Hold Mass Meetings, But Reach No DecisiOn-Committe May Be Named to Meet Employ ers-Other Matters.

 the factory yesterday in answer to the demands of the employees for shorter hours and increased wages Stanley $. Gwillim, superintendent and a mem Der of the board of directors, ad- dressed the workmen in the plant this afternoon. MT. Gwillim's talk was in explanation of the attitude of the company regarding the petition of the men. The superintendent set forth the reasons why the concern did not believe the time opportune for setting a wage or hour standard and eX- pressed the wish that it's offer to make effective from today whatever new policy is adopted in favor of the workmen, wolld be accepted.
 MT. Gwillim gave the men assur- ance of the companys appreciation of their loyalty and good will and he ex- pressed confidence in the belief that the differences will be adjusted in a manner that will be mutually satis- factory. He explained the condition of the manufacturing business for the past two years and declared that, owing to the depression some depart ments in the Trumbull plant had been operated at a loss rather than dis rupt the organization.
 War orders had caused so great a demand for raw materials that the prices had advanced to such an extent that only the concerns making muni- tions and accessories were Ttakin:r normal profits. He thought the labor agitation would in a short time de- Velop sufficiently to necessitate a change in working hours and the wages of the employees and as soon as the Trumbull people can deter mine what the standard. is liable to be they will adopt it, giving the help the benefit of the change from this date.
 According to reports in circulation last night many of the men employ- ed in the factory were impressed with the apparent sincereity of the com pany in its reply to the demands of the help. They were some of course, who wanted a fifty hour schedule without any reduction in pay granted immediately, but judging from com ment heard about the streets, the majority considered the companys proposition a. fair one, and they were in favor of giving the officers a chance to make good their promise.
 A mass meeting Was held at Wood ford's field last night and the situ- ation was discussed, the men reaching no agreement at the time.
 President Trumbull told a Herald man today that the company had not received any direct word from>the employees since the notice was pdSt- ed yesterday. He rather expecter thAt a committee would be appointed to- confer with the officers regarding the . situation, probably late today.
 Get 15 Per Cent. Increase.
 An increase of Is per cent. in prices on certain lines of underwear was granted to, the spinners in the local plant of the Bristol Manufactuf@ ing company yesterday and as a re- suit the threatened strike failed to materialize. The mems demands for machinist were also compiled with and the company conceded to their wishes to have the whistle blown at 1 o'clock instead of 12:55. The off, cials couldn't see their way clear to grant the petition for beginning work at ' o'clock in the morning instead of 6:3O at this time, but General Manager Hawley's promise that a new schedule will be put into effect in the near future evidently satisfied the men, and they were at work today
 The compromise was effected at a conference between Manager Hawley and Hugh Flood, representing the spinners. The twenty men employed in that capacity in the mill had threatened to go on strike yesterday afternoon unless their demands were granted. They refused to start work until MT. Flood returned from the office to explain the offer of the com pany.
 Among the complaints filed was an objection to the use of reservoir water for drinking purposes during the summer months. The men claimed the water had such a disagreea ble taste and odor that it was unfit for use until a few days ago. It is un- Gerstood that the company promised to provide well water next summer unless the water supply furnished by the water company is satisfactory.
 The company is understood to be working on big order of knitted un- derWear for the soldiers in the British army. It is on this class of work that the increase was demanded. the men asking that they be paid the same price that is given the spinners | in the Bristol plant. They also wanted the working hours changed to conform with the schedule in Bristol. Small Crowd at Rally. The rally of the temperance people, which was expected to be the big feature Of the campaign for no-license, held in the Town hall last evening, did not attract great deal of atten- tion, only thirty-seven voters making ar appearance to listen to Rev. Wal ter E. Lanphcar of Hartford who came here to assist in making Plain vile dry" The speaker gave the usual temperance lecture, citing sta i tistics to prove the contention that 1 individual towns as well as states or