The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-04-04

Ito work. But when they were called back again they immediately respond | ed and left their Ohio jobs, proving | that the men want to and are willing to work in Bridgeport.
 One of the oldest labor leaders and | organizers of the city said: There a diversity of high. grade labor in any industry as Bridgeport" He further stated that there is less labor trouble l in Bridgeport than in any other city of the United States. The reason given for the statement was that the me chanics of the city are the best ob- tainable and the better the mechanic the less labor trouble, because they take pride cn their trade and work manship."
 Another of the men who have studied labor conditions said that the Central Labor group of the workers of the city belonged to the conserva- tive faction, believing in bettering conditions in peaceful way.
 Coming down to actual figures we find that fn 1914 there were 30,043 wage earners employed in the factor ies of the city. In 1918 this number in- creased to approximately 3S,000 wage earners, according to United States War Labor Board figures, and in 1919 the apex was reached when figures disclosed that approximately 50,000 people were employed in the factories Of the city.
 At the present. date ta1ere are 35,o0o factory hands dr1 the city and of this number but 55 per cent. are at work in the factories. About 2o,Oo Of this number are skilled hands. Approxi- mately 10000 are unemployed.
 This grtoup is divided into many sub-groups representing all known trades. Manufacturers desiring to To- cate in the city would have a large list of the various trades from which to select.
 Of steam and electrical operating engineers, not including chief en- ginears, there are 125. The city boast of from $500 ho 5000 machinfst and of this number there are 1900 out of work. In 1919 when the greatest influx of labor came to Bridgeport there wore from 5.700 to 5000 machin1st in the city but have departed.
 There is an abundance of polishers in Bridgeport, approximately 2,000 of this number but 500 are at work at the trade while the remaining 1,500 are employed outside the craft and are eligible for polishing work.
 There are a number of pattern makers in the city.
 Corset workers and cutters boast of the largest number of workers, 1000 being recorded and of this num- bere there are 200 cutters, 50 of this number is at present occupied at the trade. For a garment shop to es- tablish in the city there would be many advantages, the first and most important being that of an abund- ance of skilled hands to step in at once and operate machines.
 Bridgeport not being a cigar city like New Haven there are only 150 cigarmak CTS in the city and. of this figure only 40 are at work.
 There are between TOO and 800 of heavy machinery would have all the skilled help they would desire. The industrial depression hit the moulding business more than 1t did any other line Of work. The Bul1ard Machine Tool company which eIn- ployed the greatest number of the moulders was forced to lay off its entire moulding force as was the Bill ton Machine Tool company Crane company which also employed many m moulders, now have their force taking alternate turns every third week.
 The Typographical Union boasts of 160 members.
 The Inside Sheet Metal Trade workers have 200 members. The Lake Torpedo company which 1eptaa great number Of these men at work now has only 15 employed, while the Lo- com obile company which kept 75 working has but five at present.
 Inside shop electricians which are essential to the efficiency of every factory are 75 strong in the city. Of this number there are only about 20 employed
 The city also has a vast number of carpenters, bricklayers, painters, plum berS, electr1C1anS, fathers, sheet metal workers (outside), blacksniths and drop forge workers, and the most of these tradesmen are available and willing to work in the city for home manufacturers and others if they re- receive the right treatment and a Ev- ing wage.
 With the coming of large and new factories to the city the volume of railroad traffic, both passenger and freight would naturally increase This great increase would be well handled by the large number Of railroad trainmen, railroad clerks and main tenapce men so prospective interests need have no fear of freight em- bargoes nor tied up passenger service nor poor rolling stock
 The city also has number of skilled Auto mechanics. Many of the men employed in the Locomobfle fac tory are available in case an automo- bile industry should establish in the city. At present a great many of them are employed in New York at workshops of the B. & w. Tad com