Evening journal., 1889-08-16
LAST EDITION
WEAVERS STRIKE TO-DAY
THEY OBJECT TO A REDUCTION
AT THE ARLINGTON MILLS.

They Demand a Return to the Old Rate;
1t is Refused and About seventy-fiye
Men Quit work-The Situation.
At $50 o'clock this morning' from
seventy-6ve to one hundred weavers en-
ployed in the Arlington Mills, in the
Ninth ward, stopped their looms and
quit work Half an hour before that
time a committee of six Of the weavers
called upon John Greer, the general
manager, and demanded return to the
old scale of prices. Mr. Greer told them
it was an utter impossibility. They then
struck.
Since the reduction went into effect the
weavers have held several meetings in
the Old Academy and at these meetings
they decided on the action that was taken.
All are members Of Weavers Assembly
No 5064 Knights Of Labor, but the
assembly did not order the strike.
There is great difference Of opinion
concerning the strength Of the strikers.
One claimed that there were 100 EN-
ployed and that all but two went out,
while a more conservative workman
placed the strikers at 10 Inquiry at
the Office of the company elected that
there are 130 weavers, over one-half
of whom struck OF the women weavers
a few went out, but the majority con
tinued at work.
The weavers claim that the gingham
trade is good, that there are no reduc-
tions in Similar mills, and that the reduc-
tion on them was unnecessarily great.
A reporter talked to several of the
strikers and they hold different
opinions on the same topicsS
One weaver said that there had been nc
reduction at Riddles mills because the
wages there are already lower than at the
Arlington. The gingham mills at Ches.
ter Pa, pay one-fourth less wages than
are paid at the Arlington mills.
OF the 500 looms at the Arlington
Mills over 200 are stopped. The re.
mainder are at work and no further
stoppage is expected The looms are
turning out gingham of finer texture thar
heretofore The weavers ask if the
market is stocked why does that
work continue? The firm says that
the market is not overstoeked, nor is
there any demand for the goods. JOIN
Greer. general managers of the mills
could not be seen this morning concern
ing the strike, as he had left town
after the interview with the com
mittee 1t was stated that he told the
Monday to return to work, and thosG
who still stayed out would be discharged
This could not be verified, bnt it is be
lieved to be incorrect.
The reduction of wages at the Airing
ton mills went into effect on Monday anC
was made in all departments of thl
works. The reduction ranged from t,
10 per cent, the greatest Gu
beinp made among the weayers
Before the strike weave
could make from SO to $11 per week b,
running four looms The cause of tn
reduction is the general depression in tn
gingham business throughout the coun
try 1t is the first cut in wages that tn
Arlington Mills Manufacturin
Company has made for thre
and half years 1t would not hav
been made if it could have been avoided
Business in the gingham trade has no
been 50 dull in a long time, and there !
no outlook for better things. The fri
made the reduction because il was losin
money 1t was stated at the offic
that the reduction made was as little a
the company could do and save itself, a
it was a matter of entirely closing or tn
reduction, the latter plan being adopted
New York is the market for ginghams
All the other departments of the mill
are working as usual and no trouble
anticipated from them. All the striker
who desire may return, and thos
who do not will have the
places filed Several persons who wel
seen this morning thought the striB
would be short-lived The weavers sa
they viii stay out until their demand
are acceded to