The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-03-05

The Literature and Dramatic Art department of the Naugatuck "Wo- mans club will meet tomorrow night at the home of Mrs. Joseph Reilly 240 Millville avenue. Miss Helen Me- Donough, chairman, will preside.
 Mrs. George A. Kelly will give Q reading on modern plays and the discussion will be on the subject Modern Moods"
 Session Postponed
 The meeting of the Naugatuck Woman's club, scheduled for yes- terday afternoon at Masonic hall, was postponed because of the storm and power conditions.
 Power Fails
 The power failure for nearly seven hours here yesterday was only memory today, but was a memory that will finger long with residents of the borough. Most of the U. s. Rubber was operating today, although the packing department did not work today because the inak- ing departments had not worked for any full shift yesterday.
 Employees in other factories here who had been released yesterday be- cause of the power break were back at their tasks as usual today and work was proceeding as usual.
 It Is estimated more than 1000 local workers lost all or part of a days pay yesterday through the fail- ure of the power. The power was cut off on the west side of the town at 10 o'clock and at 10:20 a. m. the east side power failed. It was not until { o'clock that the power re- turned on the west side and 1t was within a few minutes of 6 p. m. when the west side got electricity again. Even then the charge was comparatively small, adequate for usual needs but not enough for some of factory's needs.
 The U. s. Rubber Company early after the power break let one shift go and soon after other shifts fol- lowed, until after noon 1t was an- nounced that the entire footwear plant was closed. Office workers were the only ones kept on. The plant did not operate last night
 The Naugatuck Chemical Com pany workers were let go for the entire day and this plant resumed operations today. Although @ mo- jority of the Risdon Manufactur- ing Company employees were kept at their tasks through early after noon, many on machines were sent home when the power was cut off.
 The Eastern Malleable Iron Com pany closed operations at noon and the Peter Paul, Inc, released many employees in the early afternoon. The Russell Manufacturing Com pany had to release its employees be- cause its emergency source of power, Webber,s brook, was frozen over.
 Two of the plants which were lit- tie affected were the Naugatuck Manufacturing Company and the Lewis Engineering Company. Oper- ations continued as usual at the former concern as its own power plant supplied the motive force. There was little departure from the normal at the Lewis company.
 The Naugatuck Daily News was unable to publish yesterday because of the lack of power for its linotype and teletype machines.
 Some Shiver
 Not only the factories, but homes were severely hit. To be "old-fash- toned" yesterday was a blessing for those with modern electrical appli- ances, including oil burners operated by electricity, electric ice-boxes, clocks, washing machines. coasters, electric stoves, and other devices suffered most severely, many lack ing heat and having to go out for meals.
 Moving picture matinees were cancelled because of the lack Of power and some restaurants with electrical devices had to discontinue part of their operations.
 Policemen had to direct traffic on Main street here as traffic lights failed to function.
 Day schools operated as usual. although many youngsters were abe sent because of the Icy conditions of the walks. Night school sessions last night were cancelled.
 Beauty shops could do little busi- ness because dryers would not work.
 The Peerless Laundry firm could not operate because Of lack Of power for It's machines.
 Buses were erainmed t0 overflow yesterday morning as factories re- leased employes, and because of the travel the buses were not on sched- ule. although the service vas Of Q type that deserves eommendati0n.
 Buy Candles
 As the day ienglhenod and the power had not been resumed, some Fesidents purchased candles ln stores ln anticipation Of 6 iight- less nlsllt, but they did not prove neeessary. A feW atogas latS in the agtaFneon used gas Iighle.
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