New-York tribune., 1870-08-13
4 SPIYYERS' STRIKE At FALL RIVER. MASS

NINE THOUSAND OPERATIVES OUT OF EMPLOY
MENT-THE CAUSES OF THE STRIKE AND ITS
PRESENT ASPECT.
BosToY, Aug. 12-The strike of mule-spin-
ners in the cotton mills at Fall River three weeks
ago has stopped the whole mill machinery, their action
sending tine weavers, card-roOm hands, and other EN-
ployes the streets 1t is now estimated that nearly
1900 operatives in the city, or have left 10 seek work
elsewhere. The mill hands notified on the 10Th OF
June that there would be reduction Of pay in the early
part OF July, the spinners to be cut down about u
per cent and the weavers 10 per cent. The weavers
did not openly object, but the mule-spnners, who
have q trade organization, prepared the following
memorial and sent it TO the agent Of each mill:
SIR We, the spinners in your employ, do most respect
fully desire that you will take into consideration our
present rate o wages together WIN t.e Igh rents anu
offered US which will make Il almost impossible for NJ
to support ourselves and families. Again sir We think
stood Take for instance the length OF time he has TO
devote 70 acquire practical knowledge OF ms rae ana
weary to Take any other trade outside the mill and
see II they have devoted the number OF years 10
acquire It as we have and whether We are on par Win
any respect. or take any other branch OF In
nav or devote the number OF years do Then
sir you admit that have some grounds for com
INTO consideration your offered reduction, as we think IT
unjust and unreasonable and as such We cannot quety
submit 10 IT, The bearer OF this requires an immediate
answer THE SPISNERs N YOUR EMPLOY.
SDinners' AssociasOn Room, Fail Rirer june S0 1870
7th this note was forwarded:
SIR: We the spinuers In yOur employ having consid
cred your to memorial stating that you can
that the state the market does not warrant so great
reduction as offered 10 Us.
We believe that the question IN dispute can be more
amicaby settled you will condescend 10 appoint hNe OF
your number TO meet an equal number Oh 'phners ana
discuss the question pro ana con- ad You tan Prov ~
Us there is Just cause for the reduction We are
Al general meeting the spinners OF this city held
in Bay state Hall on the cd Of July $50 II was unan
the reduction back take this memorial a. two weeks
notice. ,, .-, - a., 49, 49,. - ,,
ncation emanatng from you on the question Respect
fuIiv yolrs THE SPISNERs T. YOUR EMPLOY.
SINNERS association Room, Fail Riuer, July :, 1870.
No reply was made this and the spinners quit work
on the 2lst Of July other operatives following them
from necessity, being dependent on them for work.
To make unsuccessful attempts OF the manufacturers
TO get help elsewhere the Association Issued the follow
ing:
in 6enlrai and all rb0H may concern We, the mule
spinner- of Fall River now out on strike, in conse
lie unjust knowing do, that We are under the
average prices paid in the surrounding districts. pre-
spinners OF Fall River request that all muespnners and
cotton operatives in general will keep away from Fail
River until the dispute now pending Is settled and not
be led away by any false representations that our en-
poyers their agents may make believing that they
viii do all IN their power 10 lead strau astray.
PER ORDER OF rHE COMMITTEE.
Mule Spinaers lAssocGsiOH Room, FaA krer Mass July
The following appeal has also been issued:
To the Paetorg Operatires and Working PsopIe in Gen
ral-FELLow-WoEKINGMEN AND WOMEN: We appeal to
you for sympathy ana support hoping you VIII assist US
In struggling against reduction In our wages OF from
cent SAID reduction we consider TO .. must
aud uncaed for at the present time knowing that we
are already paid below the average prices paid In all
Sew-Epcand previous TO the reduction Having used
an the available means IN our power 10 come 70 an ami
cable adjustment Of grievances before resorg TO
any rash course and being treated with silent contempt
We were compelled 70 take the steps we have. There Is
not manufacturing town, city, or hamlet in all New,
a. they do IN Fall RIVER WOrklngmen, II Il wei
understood that the factory people OF Fan River have
iahnred hard the years for effective Ten
Hour and children, the result Of which Is
fresh in all your memories our employers knowing
TINS In OH order 10 fs,t rs h our etI to con-
Time our agitation Of the Ten Hour law knowing
ths said reduction. Fellow -WOrklngmeu and Women,
we now appeal 10 your benevOence 10 assist us 20 sup
port our wives and children while fighting the battles of
right against might subscrp ptiOns will he thankfully
received the above object by the delegates appointed
mn snbsrrpOns will have books bearing the signature
of the Association. All contributions coming through
H"' MULE-sPISSERs' ASSOCIATION
Lock Box No. q, Fall River, Mass
The spinners say they made from g. per week be
fore the reduction, and behaving well, many en-
gazing 20 do work in other cities.
The Boston Post that the manufacturers express
themselves perfectly satisfied with condition OF az
fairs They declare that at this they only To
run FOR the sake Of keeping the machinery trim and
that their mills not paying them at the old
willing to remain idle Besides OF them remarked
last evening, There great demand here for scrub
hing brushes and white lead This shutdown gives us
an opportunity which have long wanted, but could MT
And 10 loan paint and make needed repairs in mills.
Now we ars vigorously getting them in ship shape ready
-; .tart M by-and-bye Then too, we are putting a
good deal Of machinery increasing the capacity Of
especially slashers OF which several OF the mills have
procured number each ana before long every factory
In the city will be using theln-'