New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-08-24
THE FALL RIVER LOCKOUT.
TWENTY-THREE THOUSAND COTTON MILL
EMPLOYEES IDLE
MANUFACTURERS DETERMINE UPON CuRTAIL-
MENT OF PRODUCTION UNTIL BETTER TINES
THE STRIKE IN NEw-BEDFoRD
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE,

tbf TELLGRAPH TO THE TRiBUHkJ
Fall River, Mass, Aug. 23.-About 5000 opera
tives In the cotton mills of the city were locked
out tonight. ard nearly siO,OOoOoO invested capt.
tai will be Idle for an indefinite period. This
fortunate condition was brought about primarily
by reduction Of 10 per cent in wages, which
was to go into effect last Monday morning The
carders, spinners. loom hxers and, in fact. all
the operatives OF the city except the weavers,
agreed to accept this necessary reduction under
protest the implied understanding being that
the manufacturers would endeavor TO run during
the winter The weavers, on the contrary de-
cded that the only remedy for the overloaded
market was a curtailment OF production. and at
an extraordinary meeting held I'm the Academy
Of Music last Friday night ii was voted to take
a voluntary vacation OF four weeks. beginning
last Monday. 1t was not expected that the order
for a vacation would be extensively obeyed. but
yesterday morning ii was found that only % per
cent OF the 900 looms In the city were In opera
tion, and it was uncertain how long the remain
der would be kept going.
This condition Of things led to a determination
the part "f the manufacturers to unite in as
large a curtailment possible. and tomorrow
morning just four corporations out Of forty will
probably open their gates The Fall River Iron
Works Company's mills Of 900 spindles, sup
plying $4,000 pieces week to the Am.ric IN Print
ing Company did not post notices Of any reduc-
ton I'm wages. and Will not shut down un.ess the
employees go out on strike, which is now ex-
tremey probable. The Seaconnet. Of 5000 spin
dies. will try 10 run under reduced schedule.
but predictions are made that 1t Will not be- sue
cessful. The Barnaby Glngham MIL, which has
been idle n long time. did not reduce wages. and
the Conancut mil. small fancy goods concern,
will not shut down. 1t Is said that por-
ton OF the Durfee Mills will be run to complete
some small orders
How long the lockout will last is unknown.
even 70 the manufac cturcrs who ordered It, With
nearly 100000 of pieces on hand and hardly
living price offered for goods. II Is hard To see
what the mill men car do except to remain closed
until the dawn Of better times. The only chance
of resumption within four weeks seems TO be In
a greatly improved market or weakening on the
part Of the w-avers. who cannot afford 10 remain
on vacation I'm these hard times.
New Bedford Mass. Aug % (SpecaD There
is no change in the textile strike situation to-
night. Members OF the state Board Of Arbitra-
ton have been in town all day on the invitation
OF Mayor Brownel The Board Of Trade
Arbitration COmmtie has decided II cannot take
any action on the strike as its constitution pre-
vents H. Mr. Barry. u the State Board has had
an official talk today with some Of the leaders
of the strikers and Mr. Warner held consultations
with the Mayor and Andrew q. Pierce. of the
Wamsutta corporation.
\ meeting of representatives. of different labor
unions Mayor BroNncll and tho state Board of
Arbitration was held this evening. w. w. Crapo'
president Of the Wamsutta Mills corp, alton, was
present as "A citizen and manufacturer. lie said
The mills had ran a. long as they could ana
found II absolutely necessary To reduce wages.
when asked IL tn. manufacturers would let the
Hoard ,rbltrate. lac sal! hC could not answer
a. he was not present for the manufacturers
Then Mr.. Ross. ~ the spinners. was asked me
sa mo question but he could not answer. A
member u the Board said there could be no
arbitration now as n strike had occurred. but
they could try to conciliate the parties.