Daily Kennebec journal., 1894-10-23
PERPLEXlNG
To Both Manufacturers and Opera
tives is Attitude
OF the undaunted Fall River Wesvers Who
Want Same Treatment as Spinnsrs.

FALL RIVER, Mass, Oct. 22.-No one in
manufacturing or operative circles pretend
to prophesy how the present perpiexing
situation in this city can be improved. The
manufacturers have been forced to ac
knowledge the power of the weavers union,
for today only % 900 out Of the possible
50, 900 looms were in operation. Tne oper-
atiyes are no less annoyed at their own
strength, for they are powerless to keep up
any sort Of reliable financial assistance
They entered on the tenth weeks resistance
to reduction of wages with far more hope
of successful outcome than they had when
they determined on vacation the 10Th OF
August.
If the striking weavers were aione at
fected by whatever action they might take
there is no question the mills would again
be shut down for an indefinite period. Sec
retary Rounseviils and other equally prom
inent manufacturers insist that it is unfair
and harsh to close the gates to 90 900 oper-
atives because 5000 operatives will not
work. Many men of good judgment here
are entertaining grave fears that some such
severe measures will have to be used be-
fore the spirit of the strikers will give way.
After the close of business, tonight, there
were many serious discussions in
brokers' offices and elsewhere as
to what means should be pursued, and tbs
novel situation was reviewed many times
It's recognized that while the police alos
the strikers to parade through the principal
streets shouting, Yelling and singing good
naturedly, it is useless to hope to keep the
tickle minded operatives within the walls OF
the factory. Were the weather any but the
most delightful ever known in the long his
tory of labor troubles, it might be possible
to obtain better results from keeping the
mills open awaiting the struggling return OF
strikers.
The very reverse of these conditions
makes the situation more exasperating t.
the manufacturers, while buoying the
hopes of the operatives every hour. Some
mill men said tonight that they would not
now give way to the strikers under any
consideration, until they return to work.
for the reason that they fear continuation
of present methods if they prove successful
in this instance. Other manufacturers,
after seeing the power of the weavers, now
contend that great mistake was made in
treating with the spinners on one basis and
the weavers on another and much
lower one. These men believe ths
only way out of the present mudd.e
is to rectify the mistake as early
as possible and preserve the old good feel
ing between employers and employees.
Many manufacturers, whose mills are idle,
like this plan, but say it is useless to put ii
into effect now, as the business condition.
do not warrant If, they cay, the mills are
closed again for few weeks, and th,
demand for goods should hold even as good
as it now is, n comprimise offer on the basis
of five per cent. might be agreed upon
among all manufacturers who signed the
agreement to reduce wages. They have
but little hopes of compromise while the
feeling is az warm as tonight.
A suggestion has been made that the
local board of arbitration might be selected
to act in the present emergency. The
local board is preferred from the tact tha
the state board is not held in very higl
esteem by either party to the present con
troversy. The two daily papers make the
suggestion editorially, this evening.
There has been or less discussion oil
it by both sides. One of the older broker,
suggests three men for the duty. The frs
nam. is Rtv. DR.. W. w. Adams of III,
Fitst Congregational church, the Oldest sc
tive clergyman in the city, man uaiyer
sally honorcd in this section. ThA second j,
G. s. Greene, n member OF the board o.
overseers of the poor and srccesstul hus
ness man. The third is VIM. Burgess, ,one of
The fnrest AVID most influential friends tn
English t. xtile workers have in New Fog
land. These men are close to the opera
tives anl have the eu'iness aad mo-al wei
fare of the city at heut. There is it'd
doubt that the viewers will be willing I,
leave the merits OF their case 10 this o.
some similar board, AMI perhaps, after
few days. the manufacturers may come Il
this way of thinking.