The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-01-16
STRIKERS REFUSE
 TO OBEY GOVT
Say War Is Over and They Won't Obey United
 States.

". E. Hutcheson, head of the Ma tional Brotherhood of Carpenters when asked by W. s. FaddiE, viea- president of the Cauldwell-Wingate company In charge of the construc- ton of government houses in Bridge port, to sanction the return of the Bridgeport carpenters refused. He said in definition of his position in the matter, according to Mir. Faddis. 'HThe war em agency is over, and we will pay no more attention to the re" quests of the government which we have received than we would to s private corporation"
 Striking carpenters in Bridgeport, must return to their jobs before the end of this week, according to mo- tice received here from the United States Housing Corporation, which Is part of the National War Labor Board.
 W A. Faddis, vice-president of the CauIdwell- -W1ngate company who Is in charge of the government construc- tion iH Bridgeport, said this morning that he had been notified of the or ders of the Housing corporation and that the carpenters were to return to work under the same terms as icy were employed before being g died out in sympathy with the New York Brotherhood of Carpenters.
 There has been a general walkout all over the country in sympathy with the New York association, and Bridge port has the largest number of men except New Orleans. Only these in the enploye of New York contractors were concerned.
 MT. FaGdis said, "Over 1,sG0 men tn different branches of construction work will be out of employment if the carpenters fail to comply with the re- quest of the government to return to work. The men here are asked to re- turn ct the rate of go cents per hour which they were receiving and as they have no complaint regarding local conditions there is no reason why they should tie up other workers. The trouble Is between the New York as- sociation of contractors and the New York Brotherhood of Carpenters. The employers claim that the carpenters are still held by their former agree ment, and refuse to consider ths CidliIS UI IHo HUihclS ul1tAi CtlSg Eo- turn to work, when the matter will be adjusted. The carpenters on the other hand refuse as they say 1t Is beneath their dignity to go back until they have accomplished their purpose.
 "If they do not return before the end Of the week, we will hire any men who have any knowledge of car pentry as we do not think 1t fair to keep men in othe.' trades idle while the carpenters are holding up the construction" said Mir. Faddis
 Lathers who have been out on strike have returned to work on the government Housing projects. The matter is still in discussion, as the Wingate company have not granted the demands of the fathers, but the firm has promised to take action as soon as a definite statement has been made regarding the number of laths that should be put on by the worknen per day has been made. The whole trouble was hinged on this one thing. Laths are not put on now as formerly when the men were paid by the bundle, but a flat day rate has been the late method. The men and the firm could not agree upon the number of handles which consti- tuted a days work but as soon as that is definitely established. the wage question will be adjusted to the satis- factien of all parties.