The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-08-17
Mass Meeting of Employees Called For Tonight on Green When Leaders Say
 Plans Will Be Made For Walkout of All Machinists
Demonstration This Noon Results in Only 100 Quit ting Work, Factory Claims,
 Strike Committee Chair
 man Says 5000 Are Out


 New Haven, Aug. 17.-Ma- chinists at the Winchester Re- beating Arms Co. went on strike this afternoon for the eight hour day. Their action follows a strike vote that has been taken in every department of the factory during the last few weeks.
 Harry Houson, chairman of, the striksycommittee, told The Farmer this afternoon that B. 900 machine workers, includ- ing 2,5OO specialists are out. He declared a big demonstration occurred during the noon hour outside the plant.
 An official statement from lthe Winchester factory this af- ternoon says: ''At the outside, 100 are on strike. After a care- ful count we have figured that the excessive absentees number in the neighborhood of 100, not counting six who are on leave of absence. From an observa- ton of the situation, we should say the strike was a fizzle."
 Chairman Houson declared shortly before press hour today: .The strike was called for 12 o'clock, and at 1 O clock estimated that 5000 failed to respond to the factory whistles. In < the morning officials of the plant went among the men and threatened to lock the doors against them if they talked strike.
 Some gauge, makers joined us. which was unexpecred.
 There will be big mass meeting tonight on the Green, when plans will be made for tomorrow, when more are expected to leave"
 A strike of union metal workers who, during campaign by organiz- CTS of the machinists International union, covering many months, have been holding meetings and open air gatherings in advocacy of the eight hour day. has been expected from time to time. No strike of conse- quence materialized although in the late winter a number of metal work CTS left their work.
 The explanation given by the lead ters was that the strike is a prema- ture one in that the strike movement was to have been a concerted one under the lead of Bridgeport machin- ists. There are about 2.500 ma chinists among the 18,000 employees.
 The labor men expect other metal workers to act sympathetically with the machinists. Thomas J. Savage, of the executive board of the machin- ists' union, reached here last night to assume charge of the situation.
 In his initial statement today. with out mentioning what the machinists seek, he said that efforts to "avert cessation of work had failed" because ''the company took the position that there is nothing to give and nothing to arbitrate."
 The shop committee stated that at fhe conference with company officials they were asked to sign a paper on which there were two questions in brief, whether they were satisfied with conditions as they exist and whether they could continue at work if condi- tions were not. changed. Those who answered in the negative, say they were discharged.
 The concessions asked of the com pany in short were: An eight-hour day with overtime as time and half; wages to be increased so that there was no change in that respect with 1essemed hours; the company to adjust grievances through shop committee; no dis Il nination against the shop committee members, discharge of an employe to be explained in plain Eng dish.
 The company replying in a formal statement said that the committee Representing itself as from the em-
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