The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-02-17
LABOR INTERESTS.
No Change in the Situation at the
Bates Mill.
Manchester, N. H., Weavers Refuse
to Accept the Offered Prices.
other Strikes Expected to occur
Today.


LEWISTON, Feb. 16.-A letter from Treas
urer Edwards to MF. Pratt agent of the
Bates, is published. He instructs the agent
not to reinstate Mr.. Dalton, but authorizes
him to announce an advance of 10 per cent.
on March 1st At meeting this evening
the employees voted unanimously not to re-
turn.
MANCHESTER, N. H., Feb. 16.-The in
tense excitement and turmoil which followed
the strike on the Amoskeag corporation yes
terday has been just as apparent today but
of somewhat more subdued character.
Agent Straw, of the Amoskeag corporation,
returned from Boston and was met at once
by committee of strikers, twenty in num-
Der, when their differences were freely dis
cussed The committee drew up schedule
of prices they desired paid, which showed an
advance of the wages of weavers rang
ing from to 10 cents per cut; room girls,
filing boys and machine hands demand a
raise of 10 cents per day, and twisters ask
for $1.35 per day, instead Of $1.25. Straw
showed the committee kilograms giving the
wages paid by two corporations which are
the principal competitors of the Ameskeag,
the Lancaster of Clinton, Mass, and Rem
freW of North Adams, Mass.,-one of which
is paying the same rate of wages paid by the
Amoskeag company prior to the last an
n0unced increase, and the other paying Just
what the Amoskeag proposes to pay. Mr..
Straw also submitted the following letter to
the committee of the weavers
We will open our gates to all who choose to re-
turn to work whenever we can feel reasonably
sure of doing so without disturbance. Those
persons known to us to have assaulted others or
interfered with others in their work Monday
morning will not be given employment by this
company. AS weaverS here are earning as much
or more than those in other corporations we can
learn Of feel that we are doing You full justice
in the increase offered and we believe on further
reflection that you will agree with us.
HI. f, STRAW, Agent.
Verbally Mr. Straw told the committee
that the Amoskeag company was offering
its employees as high rates as are paid in
New England and the company proposed to
pay as good wages as are paid anywhere.
1--WE will do as well by you as any one in
New England, and by and by if wages go up
we will follow suit, were Mr.. Straw's last
words in ushering the committee out. On
the part of the committee the agent was in
formed that they would report the results of
their deliberations to the mass meeting.
The committee then proceeded to the Man
chester rink, where after discussion of two
hours it was unanimously voted to stay out.
Members of the Knights Of Labor declare
that the order has nothing to do with the
trouble. Strikes are looked for among the
operatives of the other mills tomorrow.
Accept Under Protest.
New BEDFORD, Mass, Feb. 1.-THE
meeting of weavers tonight was very thinly
attended Resolutions were passed accept
ing the 10 per cent. advance under protest.
still in an Unsettled Condition.
FALL RIVER, Mass, Feb. 17-Labor mat
ters are still in an unsettled condition. The
strike of the workmen in the blue dyehouse
at the American Print Works shows no
signs of settlement as the men refuse to
accept the advance offered of 64 per cent, or
so cents a week, and demand 12aa per cent, or
81 per week more. The men claim the work
| has increased and wages decreased in recent
years, and that the present wages are not
sufficient to buy board and clothing.
A Settlement Probable.
PITTsBURG, Pa, Feb. 17.-Operations in
the coke region have agreed to concede the
advance in wages demanded by the strikers,
taking effect March 18th, if the, latter will
return to work at once. 1t is thought this
proposition will be accepted
An Advance at Lawrence.
LAWRENCE, Mass, Feb 16.The man
agement of the Everett Mills announce an
advance in the wages of operatives. The
amount of the advance is not given but it
will not be a general raise
The purchasers of the Lawrence woolen
| mills it is stated will build new mill of
CQudl Capacity
l4oo VIII be Idle.
CHICAGO, o., Feb. 16.-The great Nc
| Cormick reaper works have closed and 400
employees began siege of enforced idle
ness Mccormick declined to discharge his
non-union men and closed his works.
Can Stand 1t Three Months.
FALL RIVER, Feb. 16.-The Portuguese
| dyers now on a strike met last night and
| voted to stay out until the demands are
granted. They say they can stand strike
| for three months. This action on part of the
Portuguese encourages the other strikers to
| hold out. The report that the Print Works
would shut down tonight on account of the
strike is denied by the officers.
Serious State OF Things at Beverly.
Mass.
Boston, Feb 17.-There is every prospect
| of bitter fight between the various shoe
manufacturers of Beverly and their opera
| tives as both sides are firm. The manufac-
| turers have combined for mutual protection
and are in a position to resist the demands
| for increased wages and that now they can
| better afford to shut down. Some 500 oper-
atives are out this evening" and the various
| shops are being closed as rapidly as their
work is in and completed. 1t is said that by
| Wednesday night all the operatives, some
I M 4