On July 20 The New York Times published the demands of the workmen at the Remington Arms plant, as outlined by J.J. Keppler, vice-president of the Machinists' Union:
Mr. Keppler was asked to tell concisely just what the unions wanted.
"There are at present," he replied, "just three demands. If the strike goes further the demands will increase. The demands are:
"1. Recognition of the millwrights as members of the metal trade unions and not of the carpenters', and fixing of the responsibility for the order some one gave for the millwrights to join the carpenters' union, an attempt on the part of the Remington or the Stewart people to dictate the international management of the unions.
"2. A guarantee of a permanent eight-hour day in all plants in Bridgeport making war munitions. This carries with it a demand for a guarantee of a minimum wage and double pay for overtime.
"3. That all men who go on strike will be taken back to work."
In addition, of course, Mr. Johnston demands that Major Penfield retract his charge of German influence being back of the strike.
A check, if not a defeat, administered to the fomenters of the strike was reported to The New York Times in a Bridgeport dispatch dated July 20, as follows:
John A. Johnston, International vice-president of the Iron Workers' Union, and J.J. Keppler, vice-president of the Machinists', were on hand to inaugurate the big strike. All of Bridgeport's available policemen were on duty at the plant.
As the whistle blew the crowd surged about the gates, where barbed wire and guards held them back. Five minutes passed, ten, twenty, and 12.30 saw Keppler and Johnston pacing up and down before the plant awaiting their men. At 1 o'clock not a machinist had issued from the portals. The hoarse whistle blew, calling back the two thousand workers to their task, and Keppler and Johnston and the rest were left in wonder.