The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-08-29
New England Strike
Nearly All Fall River Mills Agree
to Close.
Fsoeaty- Three thousand Operatives
Thereby Made Idle.

Tsoeaty- Three Thousand Operatives
Thereby Made Idle.
FALL RIVER, Mass, Aug. 23.-Ihe
publication Of the agreement to shut
down the mills was surprise to many
manufactures when they picked up
their papers this morning Notices
of the shut down were mailed last
night, but it was the intention to
keep the whole thing . secret today
The executive committee is unwli-
ling to. give out the text OF the
notices sent, but they say that it was
agreed that when three fourths of the
spinners reported by the s'gners to
the agreement should conclude to
order the pursuit of q certain course
the others would stand by the orders
issned. Therefore, tonight it IS con-
fidently expected that every mil IN
town will close except the Conanlcut,
the Barnaby gingham, which mas
been shut down, and the Fall River
iron works mills and the Zeaconnet,
which are not in the Manufacturer.s
association. The Zeaconnet mill Is
running ON the reduced schedule and
may be compelled to shut down oy
the help who may stay out.
The King Philip, American linen,
Metacomet, Pocasset and other mills
that are wholly running or partially
idle are expected to close with the
rest. There viii be 22.6o0 oper-
atiyes out of work, exclusive OF
3. 500 who are known as sick help.
Secretary O'Donnell of the Spin
ner's union is we'll pleased at the
decision arrived at by the manu-
facturers. It relieves him ana the
union from very trying position,
in which the funds were seriously
threatened. The weavers, OF course,
are in high glee. as they have
obtained the curtailment for. which
they were seeking. The length OF
the shutdown has not been agreed
upon. but it will depend on the
attitude of the operatives and
the conditions of the market. Four
weeks is the longest time mentioned,
but there is no guarantee that 1t Will
last longer period.
The committee of the Manuiac-
turers' association has demonstrated
chat there is greater unanlmlty OF
feeling than the members supposed
existed. For at noon to-day it was
confidently believed that every s'gner
would stick to the last. Even Agent
Sanford, of whom the manufacturers
are talking very harshly. has con-
clnded to close the Globe yarn mills,
and the Sanford Spinning company
viii also remain closed.
Amoag business meR and others
the big lockout is regarded with muca
regret, nearly 1000 weekly will
be : taken out of circulation and there
is always a great risk is trading
among operatives when shutdown
takes place Scme Will pay their old
bills. but others will not if they can
avoid by removing to other places.
New BEDFORD, Mass Aug. %
The fourth day of the great strike
opened with a new element in the
battle-the State board of arbi-
tratiou Both sides remain as firm
as ever, apparently, neither inclined
to yield one iota. The Board OF
Trade arbitration committee has failed
TO accomplished much and now the
only visible hope for new settlement
lies in the meeting under Mayor
Brownell's call tonight. Of course
this applies more directly to the
cloth mills, as there are hopeful
signs for an adjustment or break in
the yarns mills battle.
Richard P. Barry Of Lynn and
Richard E. Warner of Taunton, mem,
bers of the State board, arrived in
town this morning to investigate the
matter. The third member, Charles
A. Wolcott, is now on his vacation
and was not informed of the visit.
Immediately on their arrival, the
abitrators visited the mayors Office,
but not finding him in separated, Mr..
Barry dropping in on the strikers
committee at Spinners' hail, and MIR.
Warner visiting the mayor at his busl-
ness Office
Mr. Barry said eve just dropped
in on New Bedford to do little
skirmishing. We will not probably
take official action on the strike un-
less Mr.. Wolcott joins US, but we
lust want to see how the land lies.'
He was asked as to the province
of the board in such matters-]ust
how far they can go and what power
they have.