The advocate and Topeka tribune., 1892-11-09
LIKE CAUSES PRODUCE LIKE EF.
rE0TH.

patch shows that the same spirit OF
svarice and greed which character
ICES the investors Of capital in one
hemisphere likewise distinguishes it
in the other:
LONDON, November 5-England to-day
saw the beginning Of what seems likely to
prove the greatest industrial war between
capital and labor that the country has ever
known.
Cotton mile, employing all told about
14,O00 600 spindleTs, we're shut down to day.
OF the IA 900, 600 spindles running in Eng-
land, the mill owners have Masters Fed
eration in which 100000 spiDdleS are
reprs sented. The owners of the 5000 OOO
spindles still running will pay TO the fed
Grafton flne Of farthing week for such
as they keep &C work.
There are about "a, 600 operative spinners
grouped into various local unions, all fed
Grated into an amalgamated association OF
cotton spinneFs. Their average earnings
for q week Of sixty hours are thirty two
shillnRs. The local unions combined have
reserve fund of 100000. lhI card and
blowing room operatives who, of course,
are necessarily idle when the spindles stop,
number about Is 600 and have also strong
union. The members of both associations
have paid specie levies lately into the treas
ury, including levy of six shiliings week,
which his been paid in regularly for two
months. The reserve fund thus created will
bo further increased by the contributions OF
four shillinRs q week from 600 members
who will remain at work during the present
lookout. It iS estimated that from all
sources total Of G3 400 will Aow in weekly
10 assist the operatives. The NON Union
men have been trying hard TO get into the
unions 80 they can partake Of the advan
taRes Of ''strike pay, "but the unions are un-
willing to enroll as members persons who
are lik, ly to speedily become burden ON
the treasury. The non nnion operatives are,
in consequence, likely to suffer great diS-
trees during the progress OF the lock. out,
for the unions have decided not to assist
them in auy way. The operatives appear to
hold the strongest position, as the improv-
ing prospects in the cotton trade since the
notices Of a per cent. cut in wages were
issued have already induced number OF
unill.ownsr to keep men at work at the old
scale Of wages, paying the federation the
fne, farthing q spindle a week, agreed
upon. Il 80 happens that only few mills
at Rochdsle, Haywood and Stockport are
closed. A number Of mills in other towns
have withdrawn the lockout notices which
they at Hrst sent out.
The Masters' Federation has received q
severe blow at Bolton, where the District
Employers' Association has declined TO co
operate with the federation In scheme TO
reduce wages. Their 1900 00O spindles are
still kept busy, and the operatives are work
ing on the old scale Of wages This action
on the part Of the Bolton mill.owners is ex
planned by the fact that they use Egyptian
cotton, which gives them margin Of profit
Other B ,lton masters using American cot
ton, ,sdhere to the federation and have closed
their mills. If the improvements in trade
continues numbers Of other mills will open
preferriDg to pay the federation fine rather
than allow their valuable machinery to lis
Idle at a |, ss Of interest and rest. Already
the improvement has weakt ned the position
Of the federation, and If il continues the
look out will prove HZzle. Should the
improvement prove but temporary, how.
ever, the mills would shut down again and
the struggle with the men will grow more
bitter.
The federation has been unfortunate in
its look outs. Twice previously 1t has failed
N induce its members to act in unison.