The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-03-23
FALL RIVERS STRUGGLE.
The First Sign of Weakness in the
Strikers Ranks.
Weavers Returning to Work, but it Is
Claimed They VIII Not Come Out
Again-A Collision Between "Knob-
sticks' and Strikers.

FALL RIVER, March 22.-The sun shone
brightly today and the improvement in the
weather had the effect of raising the spirits
of the strikers, which were depressed some
what by the cold storm of the past few days.
They were also encouraged by the report
that the cloth market had risen to cents
and was clear of spot goods. This improve
ment would, it was thought, lead the manu-
facturers to be willing to make some conces-
sions rather than have the mills continue
idle while business is so profitable. The
manufacturers entertained no such ideas
They looked for break in the strike but
did not receive much encouragement. 1t
was expected that several mills would show
large gains this morning. Some did but not so
large as was anticipated. One thing the mill
men figure on, anticipating a break in the
strike, is that at the mills where the weavers
are best paid, the strikers left considerable
cloth on the looms. This cloth will not be
paid for until it is off the looms. Where a
weaver is running eight looms, as is usually
the case, several looms of this number have
cuts nearly finished This is the case at
present. The strikers have altogether sew
eral thousand dollars in wages still tied up
In idle looms. This pay will go to the weay-
ers who take toe looms after the strike is
over. The strikers, especially those who
hdNC tuO DCob EldCcc, are naturally anxious
to get their old places back when the st.ike
is over. Shrewd manufacturers are taking
advantage of this feeling to induce the weay-
erS to return.
At the Seaconnet mill, some of the weavers
were got into the mill. and set to work. The
report quickly spread, and the strikers at
once applied for their old places and set to
work. As soon as the first excitement was
over, the strikers looked upon the attempt
as bluff, and few returned. The mill Off
cials expect that still more will return to-
morrow. The strikers say that the excite
ment Will soon pass away, and those who
went back today will come out again. The
Seaconnet mill thus far seems to be making
the most determined efforts to run, and is
causing the most trouble. Reports from all
the. mills running any looms do not show
the number of weavers at work sufficient to
cause break in the strike. The number of
looms reported running today is little over
5000, small gain. Several mills reported
that they expect the weavers to return next
week.
The strikers at a mass meeting today ex-
pressed the determination to stay out. The
report of the State Board of Arbitration af-
f0rds encouragement to the strikers. The
manufacturers make objection to the state
ment insthe report "in representing their
claims to their employers the weavers acted
by their executive committee in proper and
respectful manner" The manufacturers
claim that on the day the communication was
received from the weavers, the union had at
its meetings only 800 wea Yers, which they
could not regard as fairly representing
9000