The Portland daily press., 1882-03-20
LABOR TROUBLES.
The Lawrence Strike on the In
crease.
ENTHUSIASTIC MASS MEETING IN
CITY HALL

the $50 weavers this afternoon puts more
alarming aspect upon affairs at the Pacific
Mills. There are now 975 spindleS vacated by
ring spinners and 800 looms are idle, besides
the entire carding and picking departments.
The number of strikers is swollen to over 700
aud other weavers at the Central Pacific num-
bering 400 declare tonight their intention not
to resume work Monday. The strike of the
weavers was unexpected at this time as the
reduction of their wages was not to take effect
till the 9th. This evening a mass meeting
was held in City Hall. Every available space
was occupied and the utmost enthusiasm pre-
vailed. Mayor Breen presided and in speech
counselled moderation, asking the operatives
to consider the question calmly. He expressed
sympathy for them, but said he did not feel
competent to advise them what course to pur-
sue. Peter McCorry, editor of the Catholic
Herald, spoke, advising the strikers to arbi-
trate with the manufacturers and if thefull
amount of the reduction was not restored to
emit but organize for the future. A prominent
merchant recommended the strikers to contin-
ne and offered substantial aid Lewis Tower,
clerk of the board of health, also counseled
the strikers to continue the course they have
taken. Resolutions were then adopted ex-
pressing sympathy with the strikers and rec
ommending the appointment of a board OF ar
bitration. At subsequent meeting OF the
operatives a committee consisting of Mayor
Breen, to represent the citizens, weaver and
spinner to represent their fellow workmen
and one member at large was appointed to
wait upon and consult with the directors of
the Pacific Mills in Boston on Monday. The
strikers declare they will not return to work
until the old prices are restored.
Everything is quiet in the city but Monday s
developments are awaited with anxiety, for If
the strikers do not return the entire Pacific
Mills will shut down, stopping 10000 spindles
and throwing between $500 and 5000 people
out OF employment
LATER
LAWRENCE, March 10.
The committee appointed by the meeting to
consult with the directors of the Pacific mills
go to Boston tomorrow. Facts concerning the
strike learned to-day from the most reliable
sources are as follows: The spinners leave work
because if they remained they would receive
but 68 cents day fer which they previously
received 80 cents. They have been running
eight sides and if they work under the reduce
ton they must run ten sides to make So cents.
A strike of the weavers is not unexpected by
the mill managers but they surmised it would
be more general when first inaugurated.
Weavers bave been paid on an average So to
$40 per week, but under the reduction
they will receive from 81 to SO. The reduc-
ton itemiZed is as follows: Box loom weavers,
10 cents cut; jacquard loom weavers, 5 cents
a cut on two classes of goods only known as tx
j" and rs J'; on plain work where four looms
are run the reduction is one cent and
whhre three looms cents cut; Section hands
are cut from $2.35 a day to 1920, and from
1920 to 81 section girls from $1.40 to to $1.30.
The superintendent of the weaving depart
ment states his instructions are that box loom
weavers shall average not less than ST. % per
day. He says the jacquard looms are being
gradually replaced with box looms for the
manufacture OF checkered goods and that 500
looms have been operated for months on
worsted goods at a loss, the corporation desir-
ing to keep experienced help employed even
at an expense.
The total number of strikers at present from
the upper and loy or Pacific Mills is 220 spin
ners (girls), 80 band boys, and $50 weavers.
These during the past week have thrown out
of employment 100 spoilers, go Wrappers and
$50 carders, making the total number out last
week on account of the strike over 1000
Whether the other worsted weavers will strike
tomorrow is now an open question. Should
they strike the Pacific Mills will, it is under
stood, shut down for an indefinite period
The print works, however, will be kept rum
ming Should the Pacific stop over
5000 operatives will be idle majority
| OF whom are women and girls who
have little saved, and cannot long remain I'M
| employed.
There is no doubt that the worsted depart.
| ment Of the Pacific has been for months oper.
ated at a loss. Under the new regime. old and
| experienced superintendents and overseers
have been discharged, but readily obtainet
the same goods as the Pacific, thus bringing
the other mills, which are paying less to Their
help, into direct competition. Great ex
element was caused to-day among the opera
tives by the action of Rev. d D. Regain, pas
tor of st. Mary's church, the principal Catho-
lie church in the city. At the morning servic-
es he counselled the strikers to return
to work tomorrow and denounced
the leaders of the strike movement
During Lis remarks a number left the church
/ Undoubtedly some wish to return but are
| detained by their fellows from SO doing in
| fact some have asked the overseers if they
| would get work, should they return, and have
been told they could Store keepers look upon
the strike as disastrous to their interests but as
| a rule sympathize with the strikers. 1t is I'M.
| derstood from the best authority that general
| lockout will ensue should more of the weayers
| join the strike, which they now mediate do
| ing The city has been quiet to-day. No dis
turbances were caused by the strikers, who,
since they left the mill, have conducted them
selves in most orderly manner.
Fall River Operatives on the Watch.
FALL river, March 1S-Operatives here
watch with absorbing interest the progress OF
| the Lawrence strike. No action has yet been
| taken by the spinners union or is likely to be
unless the strike extends to the mule spinners.
Letters received here from Lawrence give
reason to suppose the mule spinners may strike
Tuasdav