New-York tribune., 1918-09-16
Bridgeport Workers De-
eide to Make Fight at
the Polls
Loyalty a Keynote;
Radicals Are United
Leaders Say Platform Is to
Follow That of British
Laborites
Special Dispatch to The Tr;bune)

BRIDGEPORT, Conn, Sept. 15.-The
brooding resentment of the striking
munition workers here, who have been
ordered back to their Jobs by President
Wilson'S proclamation, to-day crystal
lized itself in an open demand for
political action.
AS drawn up this afternoon the
strikers plans call for nothing less
than the formation OF q brand new
political party. This party has already
been informally christened. 1t will be
known as the "American Labor Party,
broadly speaking. It's principles. the
founders announce, will be the same
as those enunciated in England by the
British Labor party.
Immediately after the close of the
meeting to be held Monday, whereat
the men will formally decide what re-
spouse they wish to make to the Presi-
dents mandate of Friday" said Samuel
Lavit, local business agent, in explain
ing the course agreed upon, 81 shall
call second meeting-a formal con-
which this party will be officially
launched. 1t will not be affiliated with
the Socialist party-it will be a
straight out and out workingman'
party-but radicals of all sorts will be
admitted if they care to join and in
dorse our principles.
Uphold Their Loyalty
Those principles will include pro
vision Of 100 per cent loyalty to the
United States. In entire agreement
with that. they will put the interest Of
American workingmen before every
thing else. Workingmen in this coun-
weak-kneed leaders and highbrows
This Bridgeport decision, if you can
call it that, is proof that the only way
we can get justice is to represent our
selves in the halls where justice is de-
cded upon. We intend to strike now
while the iron is hot.
Before the convention of the new
American Labor party adjourns to-
morrow" continued Lavit, eve expect
to nominate the candidates for the
State Senate, and we will tour the state
for them throughout the coming cam
paign. We have no doubt that there
are enough workingmen votes in Con-
necticut to elect them"
At least for the present, Lavit said
the proposed new party will concen-
trate its energies upon action within
the state of Connecticut. I'VE do not"
he explained, "wish to bite off more
than we can chew at the start, because
we cannot afford to fail"
In a general way, this suddenly con-
oeived organization will probably take
for its tactical model the Non-Partisan
League of the Northwest, pressing for
the cause of the industrial worker in
the same way that the Non-Partisan
League has sought for the farmer
vote.
Expect Men to Resume Work
The talk OF the new party served as
an effectual check upon the further ex-
odus of workers. Instead, the drift was
the other way, more than a score OF
the erstUhle emigrants returning
Some declared that they intend to re-
turn to work tomorrow morning with
out waiting for the official acceptance
of the Presidential mandate.
That such compliance will be forth
coming seems assured, and the heads
of the big plants to-day were proceed
ing with their plans upon this assump-
tloE.
Reports were current that Isaac Rus
sell, who was sent to administer the
terms of the Eidlitz award, has been
recalled by the authorities at Wash
lngton.
Great satisfaction was expressed by
the employers at this report. They
declared that Mr.. Russell has been a
disturbing element" and that his pri-
vatc advices to the strikers have been
a considerable factor in prolonging
the trouble.
Mr.. Russell was not in Bridgeport
to-day. Neither was Mr. Winter nor
Miles S. Richmond, the third member
OF the government boart so no authen-
tic check upon this report could be
obtained.
Burton Addresses Strikers
This afternoon ex-senator Theodore
+. Burton, under the auspices of the
Bridgeport war bureau, addressed an
open-air meeting at Beardsley Park
here, issuing an urgent appeal to the
strikers to return to work for the sake
of the boys over sea.
every eye is now looking to Bridge
port" he said. (which, like the Krupp
works at Essen. is taking the largest
part in the Supplying of arms and mu-
nltions. | plead with the workers in
munton factories to return to their
duties"
Especially did the ex-senator urge
The men to respect the ruling of ths
War Labor Board without forcin,
upon the President the necessity o
intervening personally to back up hi!
appointees.
This course" he declared, "is no
fair to the President. nor does i
square with the interests of the ma
ton"
Practically none of the striking mer
were at Beardsley Park to come unde,
the spell of the eN-Senator's eloquencc
letter from William Johnston
head of the Machinists' Union, Lavi
said, was received by the strike com
mittee yesterday. The actual text h,
declined to give out until it has beer
read to the assembly of the striker.
at their meeting tomorrow, but it
tone, he declared, was much milde
than in the missive which he delivered
the ultimatum through which the
Bridgeport men are now outlawet
from their own organization.