The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-12-12
Mr.. FLETCHER HITS BACK
An Astonishing Turn in the 0lnsy-
vile Strike Trouble.
MILL OWNERS HAVE COMBINED.
The Fletcher Mills VIII Not Start Until
the Lifficuity Has Been straightened
Out iu All the AiiIs-operativrs
Denounce Mill Owners.


vile strike yesterday afternoon and one
the end OF the stubborn struggle had
come.
When the weavers OF the Fletcher mills
left Germania hall, after their meeting
yesterday afternoon, it had been agreed
that the schedule offered should be &C.
cepted and the strikers would go to work
on Wednesday morning. There was uni
versal rejoicing throughout the town,
tradesmen and strikers celebrat-
ing alike the termination of
a strife that has brought only suffering
and distress. In the midst OF the general
rejoicing on unexpected communication
from the owners of the Fletcher
mills fell like thunderbolt in
their midst. 1t was short and
carried CONSERVATION into the ranks of
the recently emancipated strikers. 1t
bore the heading of the Providence Ma
tional Worsted mills and read as follows:
ITO the committee of the employees OF the National
and Providence worsted Mills;
GENTLEMEN-We have decided not 10 start our
mills until the present difficulty is settled not only
at mills, but also at the Weybosset and River
side mills Yours truly,
TIE NATIONAL AND PROVIDENCE WoRsrED
MILLS"
CONSERVATION Reigns.
The letter was genuine; there could be
no doubt about that. 1t came from
the head bookkeeper and was presented
to the committee of the strikers.
Intense excitement reigned. Posters that
had proclaimed the starting of the mills
on Wednesday were hastily torn
down and the strikers gath
cred i'm groups and discussed
in language not at all mild the sudden
change in the aspect of the strike. Ex-
cited conversation was heard on
every side and the strikers roundly
denounced what they asserted
was complete evidence of COM
bine on the part OF the manufacturers.
Business men took hand i'm the discussion
and experienced the greatest surprise at
the sudden change in the attitude of the
manufacturers.
Mil Men Nom -committaL
Mr.. Charles Fletcher, one of the pro-
prietors of the mill, was not to be found,
but his son, Joseph Fletcher, was seen and
stated that the notice sent to the strikers
was authentic. He would give no partic-
ulars, but admitted that the move
ment looked like combine on the part of
The manufacturers.
Richard McGuy was as much astonished
and chagrined as anybody when he heard
the news. He Immediately went to the
business men and asked il they had had
any previous knowledge of what was
coming. They one and all declared them
selves to be entirely in the
dark regarding the whole affair.
They had done their best to bring about
a settlement and had thought the whole
matter adjusted. They had understood
that the manufacturers had offered the
concession in order to bring about an inn
mediate resumption of work in the mills.
Special Meeting Called.
An immediate special meeting of the
strikers was called and the men were in
session fully on hour. Mr.. McGuy later
stated the result of the meeting. He ex-
pressed the greatest surprise at the action
of the mill owners. He had been assured
that each mill was acting for itself so far
as fast and slow loom work was
concerned. The committee Is more than
anxious to settle the difficulty and had
done all in its power to accomplish it. 1t
was with this end in view that it was
fight had been hard one and they had
hoped it was settled and had placed
implicit faith in tho proposition OF the
manufacturers. He attributed their
change of front to feeling that the
strikers could no longer hold out. This
condition, ne said, is moi true. The men
arc in better condition financially than
when they first went out.
Weybosset Weaving Rooms Closed.
Last night the weaving department of
the Weybosset mills closed. The finish
ing department will run until the goods
already begun gre finished. The closure
does not affect more than fifteen men.
They are help that went back two weeks
ago when the mills started.
Mr.. Weeden assured NEWS reporter
that his mills would make whatever
terms are made by the Flctchers.
Executive Committee in Session.
The executive committee met this fore
noon In Mystic Chain hall 20 consider the
points of difference between the weavers
OF the Wcybosset and Riverside
mills and their employers. There
are but two questions in dispute, the
reduction on fast loom goods and on col
orod goods. The weavers have all along
insisted upon cent yard more I'm both
cases and the mill owners have Just as
strenuously objected. The point was
yielded by the Fletcher help rs there arc no
fast looms i'm any OF the Fletcher mills
and the proviso Is merely inserted for the
sake Of uniformity .of schedule in oil the
mills