The Portland daily press., 1886-02-23
LABOR INTERESTS.
The cate of the Amoskeag Mill at
Manchester opens.
Many Operatives Return to Work and
Mo Disturbance Occurs.
At the Manchester Mills.

MANCHESTER, N. H., Feb. 22.-There was
a immense gathering Of people to view the
scenes at the opening of the gate of the
Amoskeag Co., this morning, but those who
anticipated riotouS proceedings were not JUS
titled in their expectations, as nothing of the
kind transpired. The city authorities were
present in force to quell any disturbance
that might arise, but no attempt was made
to molest those who went to work. About
one-ffth of the 1900 weavers responded to
the bells while the other departments con-
tanned their usual number of employees In
the meantime the strikers were parading in
force and made an imposing demonstration,
numbering 1900 They were led by the City
Band % and were under the mars6alship Of
John f. Woodbury., Banners bearing the
following inscriptions were prominently dis
played: BREAD brings freedom and free
dom brings Rltea g6t a. ba stand adfrsn d
chisement of white slaves; = "One fer all
and all for one,'' and a portrait Of Washing
ton under which was the inscription, He
fought for freedom, we fight for humanity"
The procession was of q most orderly char
acter and at the conclusion OF the parade the
hosts of labor were gathered on Merrimac
Square and addressed by several of their
leaders They then adjourned until 2 p. m.
when they met at Smiths hall in large num-
bers and again listened to addresses which
showed determination to hold out for high
er wages to the last Their information was
to the effect that the weavers were thorough
ly united and that but mere handful OF
their number had returned to work. inquiry
at the mills showed that the number of Weav-
ers at work was about the same as during
the forenoon. The revelations of the day
have confirmed the belief that the strike is
of a most serious character and there seems
| no speedy settlement OF the difference:
Agent Straw stated today, however, that If
he could retain the number OF weayers who
are at work today he can run the mills
Situation at Fall River.
FALL RIVER, Feb. 22.-As near as can be
ascertained, the new schedule of wages will
simply be an advance of 10 per cent on
prices. Notice Of the advance to take effect
March 1st, will soon be posted, and there
will then be an opportunity for the help to
take what action they deem eXpedient. AL
though there are many complaints among
operatives, especially spinners, on account
of the delay in posting the notice, the mill
managers seem rather Indifferent to COM
plants of any kind. They say that cloth
has fallen in price, and there is not great
margin of profit between the figures at
which cotton has been largely purchased
and contract prices, and as the demand is
not particularly active or promising, a shut
down may be inevitable, and might as well
come now as at any time. When the last re-
duction took place it was thought that the
scale of prices paid in the different depart
ments was a fair one for all concerned.
There has always been trouble in regard to
and this fact was taken into consideration
when the last cut down was made In CIV
ing the 10 per cent advance, the manufactur-
ers state that they meant to avoid trouble,
and they do not wish to involve themselves
in any discussion at present which shall
again arouse the help and cause dissatisfac-
tion. Middling cotton is now selling at
s 15-16ths, which is lower than has been
known for the past 81 years, and 5-16tb lower
than when Secretary Howard wrote his last
circular.
Resuming Work in the Coke Regions
MT. PLEASANT, Pa, Feb. 22-Thero was
general resumption of work in the coke
region today 1t was feared the Hungarians
would cause trouble, but they weakened this
morning and placed no obstacle in the path
of the workmen at the Valley mines. The
men went in and came out again in body
for local grievances. The HungarianS are
focking into the offices for checks today, and
many of them have been refused work. They
are angry because any compromise was made
and it is thought an effort will be made to
freeze them out and compel them to leave
the regions.
PIrTsBURe, Pa, Feb. GA Connellsville
despatch says the Hungarians paraded
through the northern part of the region all
night, threatening violence to all who re-
turned to work. The police are on guard,
and no serious trouble is apprehended At
the Morrill, and Wheeler mines the men have
struck again because the company refused to
reduce the size of the wagons.
Freight Brakenen Quit Work.
NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 22.-The freight
brakemen on the division of the Illinois Cen
trail Railroad, extending from this city to
Canton, Miss, struck work today. The
men at present receive from $4S to $50 per
month. Two brakemen comprise crew and
they are expected to handle so cars They
now demand two cents per mile or about $50
a month and three men to compose crew.
No freight trains are moving and freight