Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1894-08-17
Want A VACATION.
II is the Choice of Fall
River Operatives.
MILL OWNERS UNDECIDED.
Certain Obligation Rests Upon Opera
tives II Reduction is Accepted.

FALL RIVER, Mass, Aug. 1.-THE man
ufacturing situation h unlike anything
ever known here. New Bedford spinnors,
Of whom there are $50, have voted 10 strike,
even though the acting secretary OF the
Fall River union was present at their
meeting and advised them 20 work along
under the reduction until moro favorable
opportunity presented itself for action.
The Amalgamnted association, made up
Of all the textile unions, voted TO accept
the reduction, under protest. Later, at
general meetings, tho Leaders, Slasher
Tenders and Loom Fixers' unions voted
10 endorse this action.
Weavers representing mills In two op-
posite sections Of the city also voted TO
recommend that the general meoting Of
weavers, TO DO held tonight, instruct all
members TO take vacation for one month.
Secretary O'Donnell of the Spinners'
union says he shall ask tho spinners TO
abide by the decision arrived AT by the
AmalgamAtcd association, because ths ex-
Ooutive committeeman who guide hin be
Hove that 10 would be the wiser and moro
prudent course under the present oondi-
tions.
Secretary Whitehead, on the other hand,
believes that tho voluntary vacation idea
Is the better ono TO follow and he thinks
that is the feeling Of most Of the weayers
who are members Of the union.
This wide Diversity Of Opinions
among the operatives Is matched by the
same condition among manufacturers. A
great many Of them prefer strike or a va
cation that will bring about curtailment In
all tho mills.
NA.N H. L.
when manufacturers can show themselves
independent OF the dictation Of merchants
and manufacturers OF other places by run
ming their mills just rs long as goods can
DO sold. They contend that thoy have
weathorod the depression very we'll, and
will como nearer making both ends meet
by running than by stopping.
They would not like to SEQ vacation or
strike that must be followed by the break
ing Of contracts and the consequent In
jury b. their credit. These men say they
would prefer 10 pay higher wages, but
they say they can pay no higher wages
than outside competitors who reduced to
tho lowest limit before shutting their
mills.
None Of them expect TO make any money
while present prices hold, bat they argue
biiho OOIIlnuOhs running HlNbs JHbin
grip on new markets and
Keeps the Help Together.
If the reduction I'm wages Ia accepted by
the operatives II follows that certain
obligation rests on thom 10 keep their
mills going in tho winter, while II they are
compelled TO stop and break contracts by
the action Of the operatives the obligation
will rest on other shoulders.
None Of the manufacturers will predict
the outcome Of tho present labor situation,
as the action of Now Bedford spin
ners has thrown In a new factor whose
exact bearihg is problematical The ma
jority Of manufacturers and operatives are
tiokled that the battle-ground of textile
warfare has been removed TO some other
center.
The operatives account for the change
by the spread Of trades union Ideas, while
manufacturers say the impending strike
Is tho natural outcome of cotton manufac-
turing In centers where old country help
Is plentiful.
When the weavers voted to recommend
voluntary vacation, they had no knowl-
edge Of the action at New Bedford, and 1t
Is possible that their ideas may change be
fore the general meeting tonight.