The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-10-31
Hon. Robert Howard Of Fall River Ad-
dresses OneyVllle Strikers.
He SUGGESTS A COMPROMISE.
A Conservative speech in Which the
Strikers Are Told the Truth OF the
Present situation-Trade Is Poor and
Cotton and woolen Profits Small.

A mass meeting of the strikers was beld
on Merino fats this morning. Nr. Me-
Guy called the meeting 60 order at ii 40 n.
m. and at oncs introduced the Hon.
X )bert Howard OF Fall River. Mr.. How
ard began by saying that IL was mauy
years since he was In Providencs last and
hs was pleased to he with the men or
Olneyvile today but that pleasure was
mixed with sorrow by the cause which
had brought him amongst them today
He remembered an agitation In Rhode
Island some years ago for the ten-hour
bill and at that time he had
interviews with many leading men
in the state on that question and
always received hs greatest courtesy and
they rendered great service 90 The cause
at that time He real In the Fall River
papers some weeks ago OF the cut-down
which was going TO be made la
Olueyville, aud OF all the reductions
in wages which he had seen
and he had been In many labor strikes,
this cut OF thirty per cent. in the weav-
ing department was the worst he ever
saw or heard OF at any time. In what he
was going TO say lac did not wish TO dis
courage them. but they must remember
that a strike is not good thing at this
time aud many working men think
strike WAS the only weapon they can use
in self-defence, but there is better and
cheaper way Mr.. Howard then
gave resume OF the labor
struggles In Fall River and
told how the spinners had subscribed %
cents, 50 cents, go cents aud then 81 per
month each, In order TO raise tune Tor
self defence. Before the manufacturers
began TO cut down the spinners'
wages in Fail River they had to
consider this and also that every
spinner in Fall River belonged to the
Spinners union. aud not only that but the
men were better treated by the oyerseers.
When the last reduction Of wages was
proposed in Fall River the Spinners union
took a survey OF the situation and con-
cluded to accept the reduction rather than
waste their funds In a useless strike
As trade improves the strikers ask for
return or the amount taken from them.
lie then urged the operatives OF Oiney-
vile TO organize, and whatever was the
result of this strike let them stick to-
Rether; let neither religion, politics. nor
nationality cause them to disagree. They
must discuss nothing but hat was for
the interests Of labor in their meetings.
IL too often happened that after q
battle like this strikers get lukewarm aud
allow their organization to collapse.
He is opposed to reducing wages because
when manufacturers do that they lessen
the purchasing power and In this country
they have To depend upon home ton-
snmp,i ion. Ninety-two per cent OF our
products are consumed AT home.
III ftLey are to continue fight OF this
kind they must have more money than
they now have. The strikers are men OF
good sense and reason and they
must consider whether 10 would
not be- better IL an honorable
and reasonable compromise could
be effec ed. Trade is now in a bad state.
There is no profit either in cotton or
woolen goods at present He urged
I'll en to consider this matter carefully
i'm their meetings and come to q reason
able decision. Lat every side OF the ques-
ton be discussed.
Mr.. Howard spoke for forty-flve min
utes, aud was listened to with the great
est attention. L. was said by many Co be
the most reasonable speech made during
the struggle and will probably lead to
different tactics by the executive com
mittee.