Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-02-13

LEWISTON. Feb. ~.
Mr.. A. l.. Pratt, the agent of the Bates
Mills, and Jacob Edwards, ESQ. treasurer q,
the corporation, arrived in Lewiston Thurs.
day evening. AS a resnlt of the considera.
tion of the difficulties pending the treasurer
submitted instructions in writing from the di.
rectors and himself to Mr. Pratt, which an.
pear below in his communication to the EN-.
ployees of the mill.
NO meetings of the employees or the
Knights of Labor have been held since Wed.
nesday.
The following is the communication from
the Agent of the Bates mill to its employees
which will fully explain the situation as the
agent, directors and treasurer now under
stand it.
LEWISTON, Feb. II, 1886.
To the employees of the Bates Manufacture
ing Company:
The following is letter received from my
treasurer in relation to the matter which is
now pending between you and this corpora
ton -
FEBRUARY ~, 1856.
II. L. Pratt, Esq, Agent Bates Manufactur-
ing Company:
Dear Sir: | have given the various mat
ters concerning the difficulties of our compa-
ny and its employees careful considera-
ton. | deem it proper to express to you and
through you to the employees the views of
the directors and myself, The treasurer. Upon
the issue of the restoration of Mr.. Dalton,
there was but one course to pursue. The is
sue is in no sense personal one. Neither
the managers Of the corporation nor you, so
far as | can learn, have any feeling adverse
to Mr.. Dalton. That his action, which pre-
cipitated the going-out of the loom fxers, W as
clear violation of an admitted rule of fair
mill-gOvernment, cannot be doubted. To
yield the point of his restoration would, in
our view, endanger relation which any fair
minded advocate of labor rights will denv,
The directors and treasurer do not regard
the issues thus raised as yours, personally.
They belong solely to your company. You
are, therefore, to resist to the end any and
all proportions which may have as a condi-
ton Mr., Dalton's return to our employ. You
have shown to me letter concerning an ad-
iustment of the prices of labor and l have
read your reply under date of February 10th
to Messrs Kttredge and Shaw. | approve
your suggestion that you will meet these
meet these matters when properly presented
to you. But you cannot discuss these ques-
tions until the present issue is settled and the
mills resume operations as usual. With the
present attitude of our employees, the I'M
certainty of their return precludes this. 1t Is
proper for me to state that the Bates mills
will, in the future, adjust the prices paid Its
employees so that they shall be equal to the
prices paid for like services in similar mills
This understand. is the position you have
heretofore assumed. Inasmuch as you have
no means of personal communication with
the employees, advise that you open the
gates of the mill on Monday morning next,
at the usual hour and receive all such as may
see fit to return, in view of the several sug-
gestons | have here made. But if no sui
ficent number return to run the mill success
,ullv YOU are directed to continue the sus-
pension of operations. Yours truly,
j. EDWARDS, Treasurer.
In accordance with these instructions the
mill will be open to receive all employees
who chose to return to their work at the usual
hour next Monday morning, under the above
conditions. Yours truly,
H. L. PRATT, Agt.
The above letter was published tonight and
no action has yet been taken by the mill.