Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-10-10
UNSOLVED.
Fall River Manufacturers Are Not
Altogether Pleased,
Report Of Disagreement al New Bediofd
Causes Them 10 Hesitate.

FALL RIVER, Mass Oct. 9.-Msnufsc-
turers who are bound in their actions by the
ironclad agreements signed nine or ten
weeks sgo, held a general private meeting,
this afternoon, at the Manufacturers Asso-
citation rooms. The Fall River Iron
Works, Durfee, Sycamore, Kerr and Sea
connett corporations were not represented.
Their mills are in full operation, some
under reduced scale, others under the scale
adopted last year. The immediate purpose
of the meeting was to listen to the reading
of letter from Mayor Coughlin, in which
the writer asks for early resumption of
work in the mills to relieve suffering; and
Incidentally TO listen 10 soma suggestions
made to the members of the executive COM
miuee by manufacturers and outsiders.
The manufacturers had no fault to find
it'll the letter, but the operatives have an
impression that Mayor Coushlin interfered
when the manufacturers were preparing
on their own account TO make some propo-
sition looking towards an early opening of
the mills under a slightly increased scale of
wages. The meeting of the manufacturers
entered into an animated general discussion
of the present situation and the means of
re emedying it. Nearly as many views were
expressed as there were members present.
During the meeting it became known
that the New Bedford spinuers would by no
means unite in accepting the results of the
sgreement arrived at yesterday in that city.
This induced several treasurers to recon-
mend holding off day or two longer TO
await the result in the sister city. In the
reports of disaffection among New Bedford
spinners were confirmed it was almost Ger
tain no proposition would be finally agreed
upon.
About 80 Z. NJ. the manufacturers
emerged from their quarters and the re-
porters were quietly told THE mill men
are as firm as ever in their position. Moth
ing definite was arrived at today. We will
meet again tomorrow at 80 =. M. and
may possibly have some proposition to
offer and perhaps have some answer to give
to Mayor Coughlin's letter.
Later it was learned that committee
was appointed to sound the various manu-
fscturers to see if there could be any prop
osition formulated which would meet the
approval of the mill men representing
three-fourths of the spindles represented in
the agreement. The minority of the spin
dies controlled by the agreement would be
in operation tomorrow if the agreement
could be honorably broken.
The men who wish to break it, unhesi-
tatingly say they do not want non-union
operatives to 60 on suffering as they now
are. 1t was indicated beyond doubt today
that some names signed to the present
agreement, will never again appear at the
bottom of any such document. Some
treasurers will sign no agreement to which
the names of other treasurers are attached.
1t was proven that for some time to come
Fall River mill men will not put much
faith in the words of New Bedford mill
men, when questions dealing with opera
tiyes are concerned. The spinners have
received $4,000 from the National Mule
Spinners' Association. Secretary White
bead reports great deal of suffering in the
city and says the applications for relief are
every day becoming more numerous and
pitiful.