Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-02-02
LABOR TROUBLES.
Prospect Of a big Strike in Providence
and Vicinity.

Providence, X. l., Feb. |.
1t is believed that Providence is about to
see one of the largest and most daring strikes
on record. For weeks il has been reported
that the united labor in this State was pre-
pairing to make general demand for ten per
cent increase in wages, and in consequence
there has not been very happy feeling in
manufacturing circles. especially as the
Knights of Labor were keeping very quiet AS
to their intentions, and but little could be OBJ
tanned of their proceedings. The first break
was at Lonsdsle, in the Goddard mills, but
this was left to the arbitration committee for
settlement As yet nothing has been learned
of any decision or concession.
The next was at Lymansvile, where the
weavers struck because of faulty measure
ment of the cuts and the refusal of Mr.. Sack
10 recognize the shop committee. The third
one was at Natick last Wednesday at Knights
Bros, where the weavers asked for an in
crease of five per cent. per cut. more i'm
portant matter has been under consideration
at Onlyville mill. This suburb has a mill
population of over 1000, and when the mill
was closed the grand outpouring of help re-
sembled hill of ants disturbed. In this vii
lsge are the extensive Atlantic mills, owned
by Messrs. Owens, the Riverside and Oswego
mills of the Chapins the Fletcher mills, the
and two or three others of lesser importance.
but all of which are by no means of little
consequence. 1t has been hinted about the
village for mora than a month that united
strike was contemplated in the village.
1t is charged by the weavers in the Olney-
vile mill that in addition to excessive fines,
they have lost by the unsatisfactory meas
urement of their cuts. by which they lost
from a quarter to yard and quarter per
cut also that when they wanted to place
their grievances in a proper light, Mr.. Sack
refused to recognize the shop committee
which they had selected Frank Shaw in
twenty weeks is alleged to have been fined
S2l, and Emily Leonard in twelve weeks was
assessed Sl2 25. Shaw's average pay at the
time was SS 06, and Miss Leonard's SIS. 10.
In ten weeks the fines on the weavers aggre-
gated S42.
One weaver is reported to have been fined
S4, or the price of awhole cut for imper-
fection caused by the faulty machinery. The
weavers struck for the reasons advocated. and
Mr.. Sack shut down the entire mill, offering
last week to start up again tomorrow, and to
consider the shop committee matter when a
quarter of the whole number of looms were
in operation The committee reported at the
meeting today that they had funds enough on
hand to stand out against Mr.. Sack for four
months, and that they had decided to stay
out,
The business men of Onleyville. while
they are confident that strike is coming and
talk that way, are much concerned. They
recognize that if the strike is prolonged they
will be heavy losers and the leaders among
them are expressing the hope that the mill
owners will not be hot headed, but will listen
calmly to the demands of the operatives,
weigh carefully the propositions. and decide
the mooted question in way that will satisfy
all concerned and not stagnate business. The
mills are now, every one of them, running on
full time. Some are running over time, with
extra pay to the operatives, and one of the
largest concerns is running night and day,
employing two sets of hands throughout, AS
they have orders ahead which it would take
months to fill. The situation is exciting, and
rocky times are anticipated.