The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-08-20
THOUSANDS OUT.
Big Textile Strike Begun at
New Bedford Today.
Both Sides Talk Fight and Yet Peo-
pie Believe il Will be Short Lived.


NEW BEDFORD, Mass, Aug. 20.--The
great textile strike is on to-day in full
force. Some Is of the non-union weavers
who deserted the strikers during the re-
cent Wamsutta No. 9 strike are at work
In the mill and few Portuguese went in
at the south end. At the Rotch and
Rowland mills the spinners are at work
at the old rates till noon, when they will
come out il no truce is reached. With
these exceptions every mill in the city
is silent and the streets are full OF opera
tives, who seem to we'll behaved and
cheerful.
Meetings of the various unions were held
this forenoon, the weavers meeting in city
haRand encouraging reports werelmade.
The Rowland mills officials and Secretary
Ross Of the spinners union are to have
. conference today and it is hoped that
good may come OF it. This mill has
always been noted for its good treatment
OF the help and its treasurer, William ID.
Howland, is believed to be anxious for
peace.
Even II this mill should make peace
with it's emp Dyes il is thought the other
mills will hold out longer. But among
the citizens there In general belief that a
settlement of the whole trouble will be
made within week.
Both sides, however, still talk fight.
Secretary Ross told The Associated Press
reporter today that he expected six
months strike, and the manufacturers
profess to be full of fight.
As a result of the conference between
Willism ID. Rowland and Secretary Ross
this morning, negotiations are pending
under which Il is believed work will be
resumed at the old wages at an early date
in the Howland, lRotch, and New Bedford
Manufacturing Company mills, of all of
which Mr.. Rowland is treasurer.
The effect of Mr.. Howland's action on
the other manufacturers is not known,
but the popular belief is that though they
may attempt TO maintain the fight, they
will not do so long.
William ID. Howland treasurer OF the
New Bedford Manufacturing Corporation,
Rotch Spinning Co., ana Howland Mills
CORPORATION, three of the leading mills of
the city gave out the following statement
this noon:
" II was decided in these three corpora
tions 20 run up to II o'clock as usual to-
day and the help were acc ordingly re-
quested to come, which they all did with
few exceptions, and the
mills were run as usual until
II O'Clock. In the meantime notice was
given to the other manufacturers Of
suspension of action on the notice of re-
duction posted week ago. Notice was
also given the help OF this fact and that
the mills would close at II this
noon until general understanding could
be had with all parties concerned in re-
gard to the exact terms on which they
would start up again."
Secretary Ross OF the Spinners Union had
a conference with Mr.. Rowland this fore
noon, and it is believed that amicable
terms OF settlement will be arranged be-
tween these mills and the union. II so,
other mills will be compelled to follow
suit and the labor trouble will be at an
end.
At the north end OF the city consider
able excitement was caused when IL was
discovered that dozen or more opera
tives had gone TO work at the Bristol
mill. mob OF 1000 people surrounded
the mill at @ o'clock this morning and
hooted and yelled for an hour. At noon,
with forces augmented, they again sur
rounded the mill and attacked the
operatives as they came out. One boy was
badly cut about the face. AS the excite
ment OF the crowd increased stones were
thrown and some OF the strikers injured
each other.
The Knobsticks were obliged to remain
in the mill, and their dinners were Snug
gled in. This was the only mill at this
end OF the city in which machine has
been started.
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