The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-08-08
FAIL TO CONVICT.
GIRLS UNDER old
PICKET STATUTE.
Electric Gable Co. Strikers
Found Not Guilty on
1926" Charge.
TWO FINED 81 FOR
BREACH OF PEACE
One of Defendants Accused
of Threatening Other
Workers.


er in this city to convict striking en-
ployes of violating section 1895 of
the general statutes. law which re-
lates to picketing methods and which
has been condemned by labor ado
Gates as unfair to strikers, like the
first effort, has failed. Three girl
piclets at the Electric Cable Co. where
a strike was effected August 2, were
found not guilty by Judge Frank Will
der in the city court this morning.
Two were fined 81 and costs for
breach of the peace.
On August strike was called by
Mrs Julia Wankovitz, one of the de-
PENDANTS in court this morning. She
claims to have been delegated by 9TH
er girl employees to ask for an eight
hour instead of a 10 hour worl1day
and to protest against the refusal OF
the officials of the plant to open the
windows of the factory and felieye
alleged intolera,ble atmospheric con-
dftions !
It was contended by the prosecu-
ton that Mrs. Wankovitz threatened
to kill other girl employees if they did
not strike and refuse to- return until
demands had been granted. Counsel
for the defense before the trial re-
fused to pay court costs and have
the cases nolled. The three defend
ants were put to plea, Margaret Mill
er, 655 Maple street and Katie Pszyk.
101 Riley street, being arraigned with
Mrs. Wankcovitz. The additional
charge of breach of the peace was
lodged against them. All pleaded
not guilty.
The first witness, Rose Coleman.
1853 Boston avenue, stated she had
trouble with Mrs Wankovitz Aug. 2.
The girls claimed the strike leader
raised her fist and shook 1t at her
and said, err kill you If you go in.n
she testified she Mas frightened and
called the factory superintendent on
the telephone relating the incident to
him.
Eenevieve4o orwell s5s Boston ave-
nue. the7next witness, stated that Mrs.
Wankovftx addressing her and two
other girls the morning the strike
was called said:
eff you don't come out on strike
I'll kill you,
! Edith Russo claimed one of the
girl strikers forcibly took hold of her
outside the factory Aug. 2 and that
Margaret Miller, while standing on
the sidewalk saw the witness in a
window on the third floor and shook
her umbrella at the witness in a
threatening manner.
Mrs. wankovitz, called to the wit
ness stand. asked for an interpreter
through her counsel. The defense in.
timated that the threats being made
in English as testified could not bt
made by Mrs. sWankovitz who coult
not speak English. Questioned b,
Judge Frank Wilder, however, sh'
was able to answer all questions and
admitted being in this country /;
years.
She stated she had asked for al
eight-hour day and called a. strike
because OF the plant officials refus
ing to open the windows. She denied
raising her fist and threatening either
of the Witnesses. She admitted tellin,
| the girls not to 30 to work but de
MED using coercive measures.
Miss Miller denied the allegation
made against her as did the Pacyl
girl. A half dozen witnesses wer'
then called to reftte the statement
Of the prosecutions witnesses. tEacl
denied hearing any threats and on
Of the government witnesses, Agne
Goylasik, 9 Helen court, said ish
heard no threats. All claimed to b
present with the defendants tina
morning.
Judge wilder.A giving his opinion
said the defendants had NO right t
threaten other workers or raise thei
fists but they ."did have a right a
pickets to talk to other workers In
| peaceful manner -
Both charges against Miss Mile
| were quashed and Mrs. Wankovit
| and Miss Pazyk found not guilty o
| violating chapter 1896, but guilty Q
| bnSach of the peace. The fine of S
ana costs was paid by Miss Pazt
and Mrs. wankovitz appealed fror
the courts decision.