The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-12
Company Won't Recognize I.incoln's Birthday As Occasion of Double Pay and Workers Absent Themselves.
Washington's Birthday, Too, Included in Notice Posted By Company-Only Fore. men and Few Others Re- port This Forenoon.

Alleging that the management of the American Graphophone Co., had broken faith and it's agreement with them made after the strike last fall, practically all the employees of the fac tory refused to work today. Although oficiaIs of the company declared the factory was running short-nanded the employees said that none but the fore men was in the shop and no produce ton was being carried on
 Yesterday noon employees on IeaVlngs the factory saw a notice which said that the company does not recognize Lincoln's birthday or Washington birthday as holidays within the mean ing of the agreement with the eTn- ployes, and that the regular time only would be paid for those days. and the factory would run as usual. After the notice was read an indignation meet ing was held during the noon hour An attempt was made by some of the employees to see George Hanson, works manager of the factory He could not be found and then the employees agreed that no one would report for duty today.
 A number of those who did not know about the vote reported Some ! of those who had voted to stay out were at the entrances of the factory ea rFy this morning to watch those who went in They said that the men who reported for work left the factory as son as they saw the majority did not intend to work. Only the foremen re- nained, it is claimed
 It is said that the scompany intends to recognize the holidays on which it has been accustomed to close the fae- tory such as Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Cthrfstn7as. as -coHiu ugF hin the I meaning of their agreement with the
 ra.- T. %1,. CT factoriesiin the West End were clos ed with the exception of the American Tube & Stamping Go. The employees there have no agreement for extra time on holidays.
 Herbert A. T3ud1ong, assistant man ager of the American Graphophone CO said today:
 ..It is true that we posty q a notice saying that our factory would run today and on Washington's birthday. It is also true that A large number of our employees did not report for work today but our factory is running as usual and will run on Washing toms Birthday
 The Bryant Electric GO. closed it's plant for the day as did the Harvey T4ubbeII Go The office force was employed as usual. Both factories have an agreement with their. ern- ployes to pay time anA a half foe B. said that most of the employees pre- ferred the holiday rather than work, and so the management thought best to close.
 At the Siemon Hard Rubber Go. factory, the shop committee waited on Carl F. siemon, the president, and asked that the factory close. MT. Sfennon explained that the concern has so many orders that it would not be policy to close. A number of the employees stayed out today, preferring the holiday to the time and a half wages they would be entitled to if they worked
 working as usual. All employees will receive double time.
 At the Remington Arms & Ammu- nition Go. and at the factory of the Union Metallic Cartridge Go. it was said that the companies did not con sider today a holiday in the sense of their agreement with their employees. The agreement made with the striking employees some time ago is that the factory shall close on New Years, Washington's Birthday Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. If the factories work these days time and half is to be paid the employees.
 It was said, however, that at pres ent it is the intention of the manage ment to grant the holidays by closing.
 Warner Bros. Go. was running as usual John W. Field, superintendent of the factory, said that all employees had reported for work. He said the management had not considered clos ing today or Washington's Birthday. He said the company had made no agreement to pay it's employees extra compensation for labor on holidays.