New Britain herald., 1916-08-17
AGITATORS FAIL TO CAUSE
 STRIKE AT WINCHESTER CO.,.
Crowd Listens to Speeches But Enters Shop Gates When Whistles BlOw-Re- ports of Union Walk-out
 Planned for this Afternoon

New Haven, Aug 17.-An attempt to bring about general strike of
 union machinists in the plant of the
 Winchester Repeating Arms company,
 this noon, apparently failed, for com parat1vely few of the employees re-
 mained outside the gates at 1 o'clock During the noon hour labor men ad-
 dressed the crowds of employees at the various entrances. one stating that the strike for the eight hour day was in force, for the men to disperse and commit no violence, and to meet later for instructions.
 Men in automobiles drove about shouting to those in the crowd to go home. The crowd watched the efforts to arouse them with little interest.
 Just before time to resume work a labor leader called to the machinists
 to form in line as strikers to show their strength. At this particular gate about twenty-five so formed. The whistles blew and the crowd poured into the plant. It was estimated that about 300 men, seemingly employees, remained outside. There was a re- port that union men would walk out during the afternoon.
 Seven Say They Were Discharged.
 After the conference last night sev- en members of the committee ended their employment with the company. They claim to have been discharged. The company in a statement made to | other employees today asserts that the | men voluntarily gave up their posi- | tions.
 A strike of union metal workers
 who, during a campaign by organizers
 of the Machinists International union | covering many months, have been holding meetings and open-air gather ings in advocacy of the eight hour
 day, had been expected from time to
 time. No strike of consequence ma
 terialized although in the late winter a
 number of metal workers left their
 work. The machinists did not follow l as expected The explanation given | by the leaders was that the strike was | premature one, in that the strike 1 movement was to have been a con- certed one under lead of Bridgeport ] machinists.
 It is estimated that the Winchester F company has 2,50O machinists among the 18,000 employees. The labor men expect other metal workers to act alphabetically with the machinists. Thomas J. Savage of the executive board of the machinists' union reached here last night to assume charge of the situation.
 "Nothing to Arbitrate.v
 In his initial statement today, with out mentioning what the machin1sts seek, he said that efforts to avert ces- sation 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 the conference with company officials they were asked to sign @ paper on which were two questions, in brief, whether they were satisfied with con- ditions as they exist, and, whether they would continue at work if conditions were not changed. Those who an- swered in the negative say they were discharged
 The concessions asked of the com pany in short, were: An eight hour day, with overtime at time and half; wages to be increased so that there is no change in that respect with les sened hours; the company to adjust grievances through a shop committee; no discrimination against the shop 1 committee members; discharge or an | employe to be explained in plain Eng | fish.
 The company, replying in formal [ statement, said that the commlttee representing itself as from the em- ployes, was actually sent by the ma chinists' union, and while the com Danv was willing to treat with its own employees it would not do so with committee from a particular organ ization. The statement explains the advance In wages and changes in con- ditions made from time to time during ; the past two years, and concludes with the assertion that 1t has con ducted its business with every en- deavor to afford maximum opportunity for self-advancement and profit of It's 
 Agitators Address WOrkmen.
 When the gates at Winchesters opened at noon the employees for the most part hurried away to their din- ners. Two labor men mounted a plat form in small plot near the main gate and began to talk to those who gathered around. After 12:30 the crowd increased One of the speakers declared that the strike against the winchester plant was then in force, the men were to disperse quietly and go to their homes, and to reassemble tonight on the Central Green down town when plans for conducting the
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