New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1916-10-16
Sen. klett Criticized for Ac-
tivity in Ousting Connolly
Praise for President Will
son and Democratic Legis-
lat0rs..


ing under the auspices of the Gen.
trail Labor union in Turner hall yes
terday afternoon, severely criticized
Senator c.. W. Klett of this city and
Senator Peasely of Waterbury for
what he termed "buttonhole Methods
employed to secure the votes of other
senator's in the last session Of the
assembly in supporting the action of
Governor Holcomb in ousting Factory
Inspector Connolly. termed the only
friend of labor holding a position at
the time. in favor of a lawyer friend
of the executive simply for political
purposes. The city has we'll been
dubbed 'the cesspool of labor" of the
United States. he said. Mr.. Ornburn
also stated that in SO out of every
IUV instances representatives selected
TOR the state legislature were passed
upon by the Manufacturers associa-
ton. Delving in affairs pertaining to
the national administration, the
speaker said that one of the first
acts Of President Wilson was the
installation in his cabinet of a man
carrying a union card, William B.
Wilson, coal miner, who was made
secretary Of labor and who later ap-
pointed committee to investigate
abor conditions, which disclosed
facts that were heretofore unknown
to exist The speaker also said that
under the present method of factory
inspection, the child labor law was
being grossly violated, in one instance
q we'll known manufacturer having
made the following statement, This
law is joke. There is never a time
that an inspection is to be made in
my plant. that I am not notified
ahead of time. and then when the
inspector arrives, [ have the children
out in nearby park playing" Other
praise for the administration of
President Wilson was given by the
speaker, who quoted from a state
ment Of Senator Cummings of Iowa,
who warned the Hughes managers
that the Indulgence in criticizing the
passage of the child labor law was
a sure way of re-electing the presi-
dent.
Harry f. Sl<efington of Boston. a
commissioner of immigration who
was to be the principal speaker
failed to put in an appearance.
From an attendance standpoint the
meeting was q failure there being
about fifty men in attendance. The
meeting was called to order by ex-
President M. T. Kerwin Of the G. L. u.
who said that there had been a num-
Der Of rallies lately and this coupled
with fine weather, was probably the
cause for so few being in attendance.
He then turned the meeting over
to State resident Julius L. Strem-
lau of Meriden
StreEnlau Praises President.
Mr.. Stremlau said it was no easy
matter to talk to empty chairs, but
the speakers would strive to do the
best they could under the conditions.
He said that the State Federation of
Labor had arranged a number of mass
meetings. throughout the state, In
which way it was hoped to bring be-
fore the members and voters the
needs of legislation which would BEN
eft the laboring man. In choosing
Sunday as the date in this city, it was
felt that most workers would be out,
and he was disappointed In the at
tendance. He said that a few days
ago he. had heard from Mr.. Slleffing-
ton. who had informed him that he
hoped to be present at the meeting,
but that an important session with
w L. Douglas, q shoe manufacturer,
set for Saturday might interfere with
his plans. Discussing the aims and
benefits derived through uniOnism,
President Stremlau harked back to
1926 when the first steps were COM
menced by the workers to better con-
ditions In 1910 President Van Blu
rem signed proclamation that all
employees of the government engaged
in building ships for this country or
other countries should work only ten
hours a day. This was the real first
start of the labor agitation for shorter
hours Gradually Roadway has been
made and the aim Of the organized
working class is now being noticed,
'thc recent action of President Will
son In signing the S-hour for railroad
employees proving this" the speaker
said.
Through the unfair press it has
been stated that four or five men CO.
creed the President of the United
States into signing the bill. but ch
Of these men had the solid back ng
of his union which was determined
to strike on Labor day if the de-
mands of the unions were not agreed
to, which proved that resident Will
son was not coerced, President Strem-
lau said. This law with thte passaFe
of the child labor law is ''malling the
people sit up and take notice.
President Stremlau spoke Of the
changes in the workman's cOmpenfss
ton law whereby the thlrty-os1y
clause was eliminated as we'll as the
waiting period of ten days beto
benefits were paid by the factoA..
There were several other changes 10
tho law which the labor men mad
hoped for but were unable to secure,
and they were forced to accept the
bill as it is. At the coming session
it would again be the aims of the Ia
Dor men to get more changes in the
law and it was up to the voters to
elect men who were known to be
favorable to the needs of labor. It
is hoped also to get a change in the
per cent of wages during disability
from SO to SIS 2-3 as is in vogue in