Evening journal., 1893-12-12
STRIKERS LOSE HOPE.
Many Olneyville Mill Workers
Locked Out Indefinitely.
THE SETTLEMENT FALLS THROUGH
II May BE Spring Before the Mills Are
started Again, and Already the strikers
Are In n Destitute Coudition--Tho weav-
ers blamed.

ers blamed.
PROVIDENCE, Dec l2.-Not only the 600
strikers, but the many business men of the
Olneyville district, where the big strike
has been IN progress since the lst of Octo-
Der, have been given an unlocked for set
back, and the settlement of the strike has
been indefinitely postponed.
For number Of days the business men
have been hard at work endeavoring TO
bring about an amicable settlement be-
tween the mill owners and operatives.
Twice last week it looked favorable for a
settlement but at the last moment the OPP
eratives were found unwilling to accept
the offers Of the manufacturers. In the
meantime the mill owners tried hard to
start their mills, but owing to the inter
ference of the strikers were unable TO Sc
cure the necessary help AT Fletcher's
Providence National mills the attempt to
start was abandoned Saturday, while at
the Riverside and Weybosset mills il was
necessary to have a strong guard of police
on hand morning, noon and night 20 pro-
tect those who yentured to accept situa-
tions
The operatives Of the Providence Nation
al and Saranac mills met Monday after
they voted TO accept new list presented
by the manufacturers there was great re
joicing The list is practically the same as
that which prevails at the Saxon Worsted
eompany's mill, which was adopted last
week, thus afIording employment TO 800
strikers. The new list differs from the
manufacturers compromise which was re-
jected by the strikers in that il makes no
distinction between piece dye work and
fancy weaving, nor does it make any mem
tion of fast running looms.
A Fatal Hitch.
When the operatives voted to accept the
new schedule it was stated by the man
ayers of the National and Saranac mills
that the mills would be opened Wednes-
day morning, when work would be re-
sumed
The operatives We're surprised TO learn
that Messrs Fletcher Of the Providence Ma
tional and Farwell of the Saranac mills
had issued notices to the effect that their
mills would not be started until such time
as the owners Of the Riverside and Wey-
bosset mills agree to adopt the same sohed-
ule as adopted at the Providence National
and Saranac mills. This is one of the bit.
terest of blows to the operatives, nine
tenths Of whom were anxious 10 return tC
work at once.
Following this came the announcement
that notices had been posted in the Wey
bosset and Riverside millst to the effect that
the mills would shut down at bell time f0l
an indefinite period
This makes the situation anything but
encouraging. The owners Of the Riversid,
mill have concluded TO make no conces
sions, but to open their mill when they see
fit at the scale Of prices now paid by them
This alone will keep Messrs. Fletcher and
Farwell from starting their mills.
Present indications are that the manu-
facturers will keep their mills closed fol
some time-perhaps until spring. It is con
ceded that had the operatives shown bet
ter disposition TO come to terms last weel
the strike would have been ended now
The operatives in the majority of cases ar,
in distressed circumstances, and 10 is prob
able that the city will be appealed to fol
assistance.
The strike has already cost Olneyvill,
nearly half million, and the end is not
yet in sight. The operatives generally con
denim the course pursued by the weavers in
voting not to accept the manufacturers
offer at the meeting Saturday, and to this
move is largely attributed the action o
Messrs. Fletcher and Farrell