Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-05-04
PLOT THICKENS.
The Cutters Join the Striking
Quarrymen al HaI|oweH.
Streets Present Holiday Appear
anee, Crowded with Idle Men.
The Men Hopeful and Determined and Con-
pany Equally as Firm.
[ Special To The KEsxnnrc JorRsAl..

Special to the KENSKBEc JorgyAL.1
HuEoa Ell May Still another com
plicaiion III the trouble bctween the Halo
well Granite Works and their men This
morning the quarry cutters were told that
men would be furnished To drill ths. spudge
holes, AMI they therefore prepared to re-
turn TO work. They found. however, they
-ay that the company had employed nou-nn-
ion men in place of the striking quarrymen.
This was too much for the cutters, and they
accordingly declined 10 90 to work. nder
the agree neut between the quarry and yard
cutters. tire latter ALSO would Dot work. The
company, il i. understood, iiatly declines to
pay the cutters for doing their own spulgr-
drilling as the lnen wish, and will not tar
nish union help. The men claim that UNI
der the existing bill of cutters prices, which
does not expire until the night of the ith;
th,. company Is under obligations to do one
of these two things.
The company position in this matter l.
that they furnished men for the drilling and
that the cutters would not work with them
50 that the responsibility rests upon the iai-
ter.
Another meeting of the Granite Cutters
| aiuu was held this morning and the whole
situation was freely discussed, but the men
are under obligation not TO diyulge any of
the proceedings of the union, and it is there
fore difficult 10 learn what transpired at the
meeting. \ committee of delegates from
the nearest unions will meet here tomorrow,
"Wednesday, To investigate into the cutters
grievances AMI 70 report This committee
will probably bring the matter 10 focus.
Tie streets of IIallowell have worn
holiday appearance all dav owing to the fact
that the men are idle At the quarric, aud
the granite sheds all j. absolutely still. The
fact now deyelopes, however, that the com
pany is fully prepared for the struggle, for
there il no important work on hand. and it
j., understood that all existing contracts
have il strike clause" inserted 50 that the
r9uu,any will not he liable for damages on
account of DELAY in delivering stone caused
bv Tins trouble
In fact the men are now beginning to
wonder whether they are not really locked
out bv the company This supposition on
their part only adds to their determination
not To yicid to the company'- request for
change of date If they want TO fight We
arr, ready for it " j. apparently the prevail
ing sentiment with the majority of the men
There is. however, quite strong minority
who favor an amicablc settlement and the
urr,ntapt.,, of the companv's request for y
Change of date in the time of expiration of
the. price bills. These men say that the
local campan> has treated them with uni
form kindness and that they wish to
continue work. Under th, organization of
the union. thcs, men are at present power
less hut il remains to he seen whether the,
10 not holi the KEY to the situation
If the manufacturers throughout New
England hold together the strike will con
tifur. and As time advances the advocates
of neace NAV receive accessions to their
ranks from tllosc in absolute need of work
amt may IN the end bring about q peaceable
settlement.
On tin, other band the majority are firm
in their belief that the first break wil be in
the rank, of the manufacturers. They ar
yur that as the strike continues stone will
ro nm and that finally Self-lniVrpSt VIII