The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-01-25
STATE FEDERATION'S, EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
LAYS OUT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF LAWS
!ORGANlZED LABOR OF STATE WILL FAVOR

o'clock arrived, the. office of Mr.. Hyde
would be far too small Another room
| was obtained, with larger capacity
but whens the three score of labol
men, and others, gathered in the
room, it was so congested that the
meeting soon adjourned into the ole
senate chamber, to better air anG
light.
Before the meeting was called tt
order, Attorney Jacob P. Goodhardt
conspicuous for several years because
of his activity in the interests of man
uacturers,/ drifted quietly into the
room, and sat down, without ostenta-
ton, among the union men at the rear
of the hall. He awaited the proceed
ings for few minutes, then quietly
stepped out. In his absence Presi-
dent julius Stremlau, who presided
called the attention of his associates
to Goodhardt's visit, and promptly a
vote was taken to- bar: all but the
union men and newspaper reporters
On Goodhardt's return, a few min
| utes later, !. two stalwart unionites
stood shoulder to shoulder in the open
| doorway, and the New Haven lawyer
vainly awaited an opportunity to en-
ter, until he was quietly told that his
room was more welcome to the labor
men than was his company.
| Discussion Of the Ans case occupi-
ed the meeting, several speakers, in
GLIDING Representative Martin German
of Danbury reiterating the necessity
for the preservation of labor's pro-
gress, of repeating the section, 1895,
| under which the action was institut-
ed.
Another matter that occupied con-
siderable time was the proposition to
favor legislation to enforce the clos
ing of meat markets. on Sunday. This
was not taken up, for the reason that
the labor men believed that there are
at present laws covering this situa-
ton, and to introduce such measure
at this time might plunge the labor
movement into a maelstrom of legisla-
tive confusion, in which, many other
measures which rank of greater I'M
portance would be wrecked.
There was spirited debate on the
question of the eight-hour day. 1t
was reported that there was opposi-
ton to this from textile workers in
the eastern section of the state, where
the -5Q-hour week now prevails
through five 9-hour Gays and a half
day on Saturday, John ]. Flynn, in
ternational president Of the .-extife
Workers union strongly attacked such
an attitude, and said it was beyond
his comprehension that such an idea
should exist among union textile
workers anywhere.
1 One of the startling propositions
that received consideration, said to
have originated from a member of
the general assembly, was that union
To- sic "a
sympatnies Of the banking interests
Of Connecticut, by demanding the sup
port of bankers in the drive against
1896. It was argued that the union
mems savings throughout the state
should arouse a spirit Of reciprocity in
banking circles, and it was pointed
out that the union men, If the bankers
did not rally to their support, need
not feel obligated to support the
banking institutions.
There are several matters on which
labor will take a, stand when they
reach the critical stage, which receiv-
ed scant consideration yesterday
These include the proposition of di-
rect election OF, judges, the establish
ment Of more liberal Sunday laws. A
bill regulating employment and sani-
tary. conditions in bakeshops will have
the support Of the union men.
Tomorrow. marks the last day for
the Introduction Of new business in
this session of the general assembly.
There will be a flood Of business to-
day and tomorrow in both branches
of the legislature.
Yesterday voluminous bill, draft
ed by Prof, Irving Fisher was pre-
scented by Senator Barnes. This pro-
vides for compulsory state health in
surance
Before yesterdays meeting, there
had been introduced measures for the
repeal Of 1896, for: the abolition of
night work for women and children;
regulating the employment of armed
guards in strike duty; regulating ad-
vertising for help in time of strike;
and others, some of which are in line
with the ideas exchanged at yester-
days conference; others in opposition
to them $50 /
Good news came to the meeting in |
the announcement sent into the gath
ering by. Senator Neebe that the judi
ciary committee had set aside Feb Is
for hearing on all bills relating to the
compensation law. It was. recalled
that this ample notice was sharply in
distinction to the scant courtesy ex-
tended to the labor men two years
ago, when notice came on Monday. of
the hearing on the following day
such a short notice that many who
planned to attend were unable to do
SO. The workers made emphatic their
resentment Of the treatment, on that
occasion. by going on strike, and re-
fusing, such of them as arrived, to
enter the committee room at all.
About all that is needed to make
the leak investigation complete is to
summon Harry Thaw to testify.
National Pay UP Week is more than
popular, as after paying bill Of IS
you can usually get credit for So