The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-04-11
The LOCK OUT.
0IneyviIIe Workmen Sur
prised This Morning.
Yesterday They Voted to Go Out and
Today They Couldn't Get In.
Owners Announce That Mills Will BE
Closed Until Further Notice.

This morning the $500 employees OF the
Atlantic Mills, Olneyvillc, received a cold
water douche that was not rendered any
more agreeable by the chilliness of the
atmosphere. They went to work at the
usual hour, 6 6:45 a. M, confidently expec-
ing TO go out on strike at o'clock, but
they found the tables neatly turned on
them by the management, who kept the
doors locked and had posted notices all
over them announcing that's
owing TO the present disturbance among
our help, these mills will be closed for tho
present. You will be notified by advertise
ment in tho daily papers of our further
action"
(signed) ATLANTIC MILLS.
s. n. LOUGEE, Superintendent.
The resolution to strike was practically
reached last Sunday, but was ratified
last evening by the meetings OF the
dye house hands, worsted workers,
and weavers who packed tho different
apartments of the Library Building, oc-
cupied by the Textile Union. All kinds
Of workmen were present, union and nom
union, but the reporters were made
to wait outside. The latter heard the
rousing cheers and "tigers" which greeted
the final resolves to quit work, however.
.Ihe worsted workers were not obliged
to take any definite action, nor had they
been authorized to do so by the district
council, but they understood that
with the weavers out there
would be nothing for them to do, and
they were in hearty sympathy with the
movement. The weavers and dye house
hands agreed to go out, however, as stated
above, but, as seen, they had no oppor-
tunity to go out because they couldn't
get in.
The operatives ad djourned their meetings
last night at 1880 and quietly dispersed
TO their several homes unsuspecting of
the move being made at the mill.
As soon as the action of the
meetings was known outside, and 1t
was not over five minutes afterward, the
management prepared notices to be post
ed, ordering the gates not to be opened
in the morning and got ready to shut
down the great plant that until this time
has passed throught the depressed busi-
ness period without a break.
CONSERVATION was on the faces of
operatives as they approached the mill
from every avenue, and stood one solid
block of humanity on Manton avenue ex-
tending from "1'ar Bridge" to Chaffee
street and read or were told of the notices.
II was lock out and the help fingered In
groups TO discuss the situation for time
before returning to their homes, realizing
that they were out of work.
This Mornings Meeting.
The meeting of the weavers OF the At
lantic Mills this morning was largely at
tended, and Olneyville put on a holiday
aspect during the forenoon from the
large number congregated on the
sidewalks in knots of three or more as
the prospect of the strike was discussed.
None but weavers was in attendance at
the meeting, and as they number less than
a third of the help OF the At
Iantic Mills, the gathering out
side of Textile Hall was the largest.
1t was voted to appoint an executive
committee OF five to conduct the strike
and a vigilance committee OF twenty-five,
whose duties will begin whenever the
gates of the mills are opened, providing
the strike Is not declared of by the
union. 1t is proposed to aid the nom union
members, who number two-thirds OF
the employees of the works by funds to
be raised by n series of concerts on Satur-
day nights to be conducted by a commit
tee of ten in Pascoag, Central Falls and
Olneyville.
The union expects TO be able to care for
its own memb for long period, IL 1t is
needed, TO bring about concessions on the
part of the manufacturers.
The average amount that will be drawn
by the union members will be about S3
per week.
The weavers voted TO stand or fall
together and that no break should be
made in the ranks unless by vote OF a
regularly called meeting TO act on that
question. All meetings will be behind
closed and guarded doors, that the pres
ence OF any press representative may not
piece any restraint on the remarks Of any
one who may desire to speak.
The next meeting occurs at 9 o'clock
Saturday morning when they will pre-
sent themselves at the mills for their pay.
The strikers profess to believe they will
win the fight. On the other hand the
manufacturers are keeping their council,
wear an air of confience and show no signs
OF anxiety.