The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-02-07
MR.. M'GuY TALKS.
He States the Weayers' Side OF the
Case.
The LymansviIIc Troubles Not Likely
TO Extend To Any but the Riverside
Mills.


Telephone 39i3
A statement of the weavers' side OF the
trouble at Lymansville mill was given
THE NEWS this morning by Richard
McGuy, Secretary of the Textile Union.
He says: From Mr.. Sacks statement
the reason he asks his weavers
TO run two looms is on account OF the
competition OF the Wanskuck Company,
who are now running two looms, but by
the system at Wanskuck the weavers are
now receiving 90 per cent. less for running
two looms than they formerly received for
running one, as when running one 10
cents per yard was paid, while now a
cents il the price and man must turn
out more than twice as much perfect
work in order to make his former wages.
From price list just received from Hud-
dersfeld. Eng, IL appears that this il less
than the weavers there receive as they get
4 cents and mills per yard.
"The fact that 80 per cent. OF the weavers
were fined last year to greater or less ex-
tent shows that even with one loom 10
watch IL is difficult to turn out perfect
work on account OF breaks in the thread
and skips, so the ffnc system would have
to be practically abolished or a man would
lose his wages. Why we fight against the
two loom system is:
" First-We believe that il this two
loom idea is put in vogue that half the
weayers will be thrown out of employ
ment, and that the competition for en-
ployment will act as n still further cause
for reducing wages until starvation stares
us IN the face. 1t will drive some OF the
best people into other lines of work and
greatly lower the standard of weaving as
an art.
"second-We believe that it will be the
means OF throwing out OF employment all
women weavers, "a they will be physical
ly una ble TO run two looms, and we believe
our sisters and daughters have the same
right TO earn an honest living as we have.
Many OF our best weavers are women and
the physical strain of keeping watch on
two looms is more than strong man can
endure except for short time.
"The weavers shave improved greatly in
the past years, but il is too much TO ex-
pect a man to do as well on two fast looms
as he did formerly on one slow one. The
sWanskuck weavers, while not union, are
hardly scabs, as before the union forrssd
they were threatened with dismissal II
they Joined. Now they are obliged to
take what the mill offers but should not
be surprised to hear at any time that they
had taken the same course as The Lymans-
VILE people.
"Five years ago Mr.. Metcalf wrote an
open letter to The journal, claiming that
with free raw material and duty OF 80
per cent. on manufactured goods he
would build another mill as large as the
present one. The prospect that the
Wilson bill offers has evidently changed
his mind for he has cut his help in wages
and started them on two looms. To my
mind he is now repud;ating the system be
has advocated and is having a change of
heart"
Mr.. McGuy speaks hopefully OF the
present labor troubles aud thinks that
some way will be found to settle the mat
ter although as the case now stands
no weaver will run two looms. The new
quarters at Library Bu lding are open
and the branches of the union will meet
there, holding meetings five evenings in
the week. Ii Is convenient and cheerful
and will give the men fine place for
headquarters.
At Fletcher mills there is no prospect
OF trouble as on their line Of goods only
one loom can be used to advantage as a
perfect finish is necessary. They have no
intention OF adopting the two-loom basis.
The only place in Oneyville at which
the trouble can spread is the Riverside
mills, and no immediate action is ex-
pcCted there.