Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-10-11
AUGUSTA. MAINE, THURSDAY MORNING. OCTOBER 1894. vz
MILLS 10 OPEN
At Fall River bul Operatives Are Far From
Satisfied.

FALL RIVER, Oct. l0.-The Fall River
manufacturers voted 10 open the mills,
Monday morning, under the reduction.
The manufacturers meeting, today, re-
suited in a proposition being made IN re-
sponse TO the following letter: c. c. Rouns-
vile, secretary of the Cotton Msuufaciue-
ers Association: My dear sir: While not
desiring to obtrude my views in the unfor-
tunate controversy existing between en-
ployers and employees il this city, msy be
permitted, st the request of many citizens
and in order TO relieve the distress asilS
spreading among us. and prevent further
depletion of the public funds, TO brig 10
your attention a phase of the question
which in TIE main the Industry which you
represent is deeply interested. Private
charity has done very commendable work
to relieve the needy, our business men,
citizens and gentlemen in general, not~ith-
standing the present crisis, are
wing with each other in doing
charitable work. The city authorities
are doing the best they can to
prevent suffering. 4 general feeling pre-
walls, that one remedy would be the open
ing of the mills, so those inclined might
have work. At the earliest moment yield
ipg to the wishes expressed TO me, and act
ing upon what is coming daily TO my official
notice, for what believe 10 be the best
Interest of the city, make this request 10
your association. The taxpayers, already
heavily burdened, will have TO bear great
measure of the loss which comes from pub
tic relief. This constant drain upon our
resources can only be borne by them in the
end. Its needless to add that the business
is severely affected by the lack of employ
ment of so many. I am moved TO urge
upon you the necessity of speedy action
upon the matter in spirit of conciliation
and Humanity. One cannot
remain Indifferent in the presence
of calamity which threatens our popula.
ton at the approach of winter. l avoid
discussing the merits of the controversy. |
believe those Immediately concerned are
better able to do SO; but believe the mat
ter has reached a stage where on account
of the widespread suffering of the unem-
ployed and irretrievable injury to business
in general, and for reasons above stated we
all are interested in an early solution. Be
lieve me, dear sir, very respectfully yours,
J. w. Coughlin, mayor.
The following answer was formulated ::
Whereas, it has come to our knowledge
through communication from his honor,
and the representations of various citizens,
Including the clergy, that much destitution
exists in our midst by reason of the closing
of the mills and the consequent inability of
many people to obtain employment, There
fore, it il hereby agreed that the manufac-
turers will open the mile, Monday, Oct. %,
for the purpose of allowing all SO disposed TO
% to work at the current rate of wages.
1t is further agreed that we make this pub
lie statement to the operatives of this city !;
While under large curtailment of produc-
ton of print cloths in Fall River and else
where, these has been substantial improve
ment in the market price, and the yifi6le
stock is greatly rednced, there still xists a
large invisible stock of what are known as
odd makes. with very little. if any, i'm
provement in the demand We believe the
Improvement in the print cloth market tenn
porary, owing to artificial causes; nearly,
if not quite, all the mills have contracts FOR
future delivery sold before the present
vacation began on the then prevailing ex-
tremely low basis of prizes, while stocks of
cotton we're purchased at much higher prices
than now prevail. In view of these
facts, we believe the same necessity
exists for reduction in cost. that
existed two weeks ago. Should our
view of the conditions affecting
the market prove incorrect and the margin
of print cloth is favorable 60 days from the
date of starting up we will return TO the
schedule Of wages paid previous TO the re-
iuction for this period of time, giving op-
portuDity for working out low-priced con-
tracts, also establishing equilibrium Of the
market. In case this offer is rejected by
the operatives or we fail to operate all mills
subscribing hereto, We will be governed by
the provisions of our original agreement.
This statement, not signed, emanates from
men who signed the agreement last referred
10. After it was prepared Secretary How
ard of the Spinner's Union was sent for.
He peremptorily refused to put any such
proposition before the members he repre-
sented.
Mill men have verbally offered the spin
ners the same terms as those in New Bed
ford received, and this has caused di;satis-