The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-03-22
LABOR TROUBLES.
A Crisis Reached in Lawrence.
A COMPLETE LOCKOUT OF THE
STRIKERS.
Over 5000 Operatives Now Idle.

LAWRENCE, March 21.-It is evident that the
strikers are weakening. About 40 weayers re-
turned to work this merning. This forenoon
meeting of the weavers was held In the
basemenG of City Hall at which James III. Ea-
ton, treasurer of the Essex Savings bank ad-
vised the strikers to return to work. Although
it is apparent that number will follow this
advice to-day or tomorrow majority favor
continuance of the strike A speech was also
made by Duncan Wood, whe said that the
strikers had accomplished much even should
they return for their action was the signing OF
the death warrant of the present local manage
ment of the mill. After the meeting the
weavers assembled on the common and here
ballot was taken whether they should keep up
the strike or not, and it was decided by $40 to
20 to continue the strike. The meeting then
adjourned to City Hall basement TO effect an
organization.
After the weavers returned to City Hall
they organized Union, with X. O'Gilore fol
president, and several vice presidents, a secre-
tary, treasurer, etc. They also appointed sew
eral committees.
An agent from the Fall River Globe Mills
in the city to-day employing frame spinners
and offering ST. per day for eight sides, 1O8
spindles on each side, at ten hours day and
expenses paid He wishes to employ but IL
spinners for the Globe mills, but will engage
more for other mills in that city. He has had
number OF applications and will find no diff
Guilty in obtaining help His advent in the
city has caused considerable alarm among the
manufacturers, and the striking spinners are
correspondingly elated.
Since the organization of the weavers, mat
tiers have taken a serious turn. The Pacific
corporation proposes to close their entire wors-
ted works before o'clock this p. M. and Sup
erintendent Robinson will notify their help to
that effect within an hour. This will throw
5000 persons out of employment for an indef-
mite period.
LATER.
At six o'clock tonight the gates of the Paci-
fic mills were closed to remain shut as far as
mill help is concerned indefinitely. The clos
ing OF the mill has cast gloom over the city.
The weavers and spinners who now have COM
them to maintain their position claim they will
be fully sustained by the citizens, but those
who We're free with promises heretofore now
appear among the foremost to deplore the stu
alton of affairs. By the strike and lockout
there are stopped 1876 900 cotton spindles, 25 800
worsted spindies, 1900 looms and other machin-
cry, throwing fully 530Cemployes out of work.
| The print works and dying departments will
continue to be operated for the dying mills,
and has now on hand work enough to last un-
| tilthe change Of season, which occurs next May.
For the print works, as heretofore, cotton cloth
| will be purchased and the works kept in oper-
| alton.
When asked tonight in relation to the
| length of time the mills would be stopped,
| Superintendent Stone said it depended largely
upon the disposition of the strikers and condi-
| ton of the market. If the market frightened
| in two weskf and the strikers refused ia return
| to work, help could be imported from Bradford
| England, where there is now large amount
| of unemployed skilled labor He could not
| state how long the mills would remain in OPP
GRAFTON, but while stopped needed improve
ments, in machinery and buildings will be pros
ecuted with vigor.
None of the discharged employees have re-
ceived their pay for the past three weeks, but
it is understood thew can have il ANYTIME nv
applying at the Office.
As the actual number of strikers does not
exceed 1000, the others thrown out of work de-
nounee the action Of the former, especially the
weavers who, when the nature of their work is
payfor years than any other class employed by
that were it not for Intermediates who use
to advance local and political aims, the strike
would have ended Saturday, and the mills be
running, but the corporation officers feel that
during the present state of the worsted market
it would be an injustice to the stockholders to
continue operating the mills with the small
force y hich desires to remain employed at the
reduced rates. The weavers and spinners dur
ing the lockout will appeal to hundreds of or
CARNATIONS in other localities for aid, but many
of them If the mills remain idle next week
will seek employment in other places. In adj
dition TO agents from mills in Fall River 9TH
ers are here from Paterson, N. j. offering terms
to weavers and spinnerS which some of them
will doubtless accept. No disturbance, and
few strikers were seen on the streets tonight.