The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-10-24 00:00:00

'IRE IMPENDING STRIKE AT
KIDDERMINSTER.

On Thnraday, another meeting of wearers was held
at the Music Hall, to consider the amount of levy to
be imposed upon the men to meet the requirments of
those who would COUR' out on strike from Messrs.
Itrintou's works.

The President, Mr. Qnintun, was in the chair, and
lw called upon the Secretary, Mr. Sweettuau, who
read a letter front Mr. Dixon, to the effect that the
manufacturers' meeting stood adjourned till the
strike of Messrs. 'trillion's tuen did actually take
place, lie was 11111.1:10U8 Still to come to some arrange-
ment, and wished to meet the cotuntittee again.
. .

As many of the committee as could be got together
met Mr. Dixon, and during two hours' discussion
several suggestions were made but the committee let
it be known that they could not depart one single
iota from the programme they had laid down. Mr.
Dixon had that morning had an interview with Mr.
Milton, who said that he would not consent to any
proposition which involved taking women off the
tapestry looms—(shame). Mr. Dixon added that he
was sorry he had not been successful, but be was still
at the disposal of the committee in trying to bring
about a settlenteut—(eheers). Another committee
meeting was called, and he (Mr. Sweetmam had re-
quested Mr. Dixon to call another meeting of the
manufacturers' association, and invited a deputation
of workmen to meet them, as they thought that Mr.
fintiutou had failed to fairley set his ease before the
manufacturers. He himself delivered the note to
Mr. Dixon, who informed him that he had called a
meeting of the manufacturers for yesterday afternoon
and if anything suggested itself before then, he would
leave nothing undone to prevent a strike.
. .

A diseussinu then ensued as to the amount IA hieli
ghoul.' be hued, and 11tri011A propositions were made,
the first being, that Xi a week be granted to Messrs.
Milton's men.

In answer to a question. Mr. Swectman stated that
a levy of 3s. a week and the ordinary 61. a well', in
addition would tarn in .£l4O a week, and they had
170 members to provide for. Ile could not tell what
they would get outside tha town. They had consider-
able promises of support from Scotland, but from
Yorkshire he had had no reply to anything he had
written.

• The Chairman said that if they resolved to give
the men on strike AA a week, .UOO a week, at least,
must come from somewhere. But he thought they
should have a reasonable levy, and that all men
should exert themselves to pay it.
A number of women were in the gallery, and one
of the speakers appealed to them to know if they
would like to see their fathers and mothers and bro-
thers ruined by their conduct in working for lesi
looney than the men received. Ultimately it was
resolved that Messrs. Brinton's men be paid I 7,, a
week ; that the levy be 2s a week with 141 a week, the
regular contribution, in addition, and that the bal.
inlee he supplied out of the funds of the association.
Several of Messrs. Brinton's men said they would
be satisfied with lss.

A vote of thanks was given to Mr. Dixon, the Rev.
U. Boyle (the Vicar), and Mr. J. Kitelry, for their
co-operation in seeking to bring about an amicable
settlement.

A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the pro-
ceedings.