The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-07-12
WPA STRIKE IS
 NEARING CRISIS
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Continued from Page D merly received for as little as 55 hours. This lowering of the hourly pay rate is objectionable to orgarl- ized labor in the building trades on grounds that 1t would cause depres- sion Of wages in private industry.
 Harrington Warns
 Harrington warned that attempts at slowing down work on WPA projects, or alternating striking days to evade the fve-day rule and other Obvious subterfuges" would not be tolerated. He said the WPA had ample authority to dismiss men for inefficiency, refusal to be disciplined and other grounds.
 He conferred yesterday by tele- phone with Attornel General Frank Murphy from Chicago, where he is attending nationwide meeting of state and regional administrators to discuss provisions of the $l,755, ,600,- 900 relief bill for 1940.
 He announced that federal bureau of investigation agents will investi- gate an outbreak in Minneapolis be- tween WPA strikers and police. Agents will investigate an outbreak in Minneapolis between WPA strik- CTS and police. One policeman died of a heart attack after being beaten by strikers.
 The Chica.> meeting was ex- pected to discuss the strike problem, although 1t was called before the present situation arose.
 On the legislative front, Sen. James F, Murray, D., Montana, lead CT Of senate forces seeking restora- ton of the prevailing wage, said he had 20 co-signers for his measure to restore the prevailing wage.
 Other Developments
 Washington-The national execu. tive board of the Markers Alliance of America voted to call a one-day demonstration and stop page on WPA July 20. Alliance of- flcers estimated that 100000 WPA workers would be involved.
 New York-Mayor Fiorello H. La- Guardia called meeting of the ex- ecutive committee of the United States conferences of mayors, Of which he is president, at Washing ton on Friday. Local Administrator Brehon B. Somervelle prepared to issue mot more than 5000" dismiss sal notices for disobedience to the five-day rule, but said that the num- Der may be as few as 1000.
 Harrisburg, Pa.--Forty-seven AFL building trades councils called 0 statewide walkout for Friday unless congress restores the prevailing wage. The Workers Alliance voted to cooperate in the strike, expected to send more than 50,000 workers from their jobs.
 East St. Louis, Ill.-WPA offi- cials prepared to drop between 400 and 800 for violation of the five day rule, while 500 AFL workers were called out on strike.
 Minnesota-Virtually every project in St. Paul and Minneapolis was closed yesterday. Officials estimated that 1000 workers had left jobs. State WPA Administrator Linus C.. Glotzback said 1000 would be stricken from the rolls as of last night. and that 5000 more. would be dismissed unless they reported to- day.
 Wiscsonsin-An estimated 15,000 still striking, with the five-day dead line for most of them tonight.
 Illinois-State WPA Administra- tor Charles Miner said 8.900 work CTS have stayed away" from work; about 1 1,000 passed the five-day dead line yesterday.
 Boston, July 12- (UP) Massa- chusetts' WPA strike situation re- mained virtually unchanged today with an estimated $50 skilled workers still "absent" from projects according to state WPA officials.
 Among those who have walked out in protest against additional working hours were 24 engineers employed on the $5.000.000 Hunt ington venue subway extension project.
 Nearly is0 were reported out at New Bedford: % at Birmingham; and about 1lO in the L0wellsLaw- -Hnvcfhili area.