The Portland daily press., 1886-02-26
THE LABOR QUESTION.
Rockiand Merchants Complaining at
the Stagnation of Trade.
Knights of Labor Organizations
Rapidly Growing in Gardiner.
The Trouble at Manchester No
Nearer Settlement.
THE LABOR QUESTION.
The outlook in Knox County.

The outlook in Knox County.
. RocKLAND, Feb. 25.-Monday night four
lime kilns in Rockport started up, making
five now burning in that town. The manu-
facturers took this step under direction OF
the association. The men are paid $175, the
same as before the shutdown But in this
city the condition of business remains un-
changed. There has been no action taken
looking toward a resumption of lime burn
ing, and times are dull. Merchants with
stocks on their shelves begin to complain of
the stagnation of trade. The Courier
Gazette says:
If anybody wishes to assume light and giddy
exterior and laugh at this condition OF affairs, as
being of trivial and ephemeral character, that is
his privilege; but if personal observation and in
terViewS with business men in all departments OF
trade are any guide whatever, we think we are
justified in pronouncing the situation serious be-
yond anything our cry ever mas r If cea
Unless the differences now existent in our city
between capital and labor whatever their nature
or whatever their origin-are adjusted IN some
manner within reasonable time, we do not see
now they can help working irreparabe injury to
the one industry upon which our prosperity as
city depends.
The Knights of Labor in Gardiner.
GARDINER, Feb. 25.-The organization of
the knights of Labor in tliis city is one of
the strongest ever formed here. They are
growing with rapidity that is surprising
The assembly comprises between eight and
nine hundred members, including 100 women
who belong to the female assembly. The
average increase of new members per week
is fifty. Several of the prominent merchants
have Joined. A branch out on what is
known as the Brunswick road consists of
about 100 members. AT present the Knights
of Labor appear to be the supreme political
power in the city, and the progress and
methods of the order are the absorbing topics
of conversation in Gardiner. 1t is stated on
good authority that the Knights intend to
purchase the Coliseum, an immense building
which was erected as skating rink, but
which is proving an improbable investment.
At Manchester, N. n.
MANCHESTER, Feb. 25.-The Amoskeag
CompanY report a gain of oil looms to-day
over the best showing heretofore made as
significant of the ultimate result Miss Nc
Gahon's statement to the effect that Agent
Straw had agreed to satisfy the weavers if
they would return to work and Agent Straw's
denial of anything of the kind has provoked
much comment and lends additional interest
TO the meeting of the weavers which takes
place this afternoon to vote on the question
of whether or not they will return to work.
"A rOnaDlLJ6G HUN bllC INulSllbo VI l4dUUI
called for Mr. Straw at the counting room
this morning, but were told he was in Bos-
ton
rsEcoND DESPATCH.
The labor situation seems further from a
settlement than at any time since the strike
was inaugurated the first time and 1t looks
as though the Knights of Labor were going
to interest themselves as an organization as
the committee of that order who waited on
Agent Stray of the Amoskeag. corporation
represent that they were authorized to 40 as
they have by the various assemblies IN this
city and stoutly affirm that Dir. Straw prom
ised he would satisfy. them, Inc Yeavers
held a mass meeting in Smith S Han EoQaS
and were addressed by several speakers.
Miss McGahan charged Agent otraW WIN
violating his promises to the WeaVerS anu
reiterated her previous statement that ne idu Hau
made certain promises which he denies She
nrged the strikers to stand TO,
gether and fight out the battle for the next
three months. Other addresses IN Trencn
and German followed and We're loudly ap-
plauded One of the members OF the hnlghls
of Labor committee said:
81 waited on Agent Straw, and am willing to g
before justice OF the peace and swear that l lle
said substantially what was represented az the
meeting yesterday. / asked him if he would AZ
low me to bring message to the weayers that he
would not raise their pay, and he said no; but
never said would not. 1 asked him if | could
tell the weavers that he would raise their pay and
Ge said no. If l were weaver would Spend
nv last cent and eat the last crust could beg,
borrtY or steal before would go in without hay
ing been granted my just terms"
Another member of the same committee
Substantiated these statements and advised
Che strikers to draw up schedule of rules
and not return, to work unless they were
ac0niesced In. also not to work with scab
HELM. but fighb it out manfully and they were
sure sure to win. If they perSeyered they, would
not only get their present demand, but a
ten hour law. The latter declaration was
loudly applauded The meeting then ad-
journed until tomorrow afternoon, when
the committee will make another attempt to
see Agent Straw.