Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1895-09-12
WOES or THE wEAvERS
Fall River Manufacturers Refuse
Their Request For an Increase.
Employees Will Consider Re-
fusaI of Employers.
Doubt Expressed by Labor Leaders as to
Probability OF Strike.

FALL RIVER MASS, Scpt. IL. - Inc
meeting held by the manufacturers yester-
day was attended by about one half the
members Of the association. but IL did not
remain in session more than 10 minutes.
The sentiment was unanimously against
granting any advance and there was no
discussion OF any kind.
After the weavers' letter had been read,
In which an increase of 10 per cent was
asked, a vote was called for. IL was de-
cided, without single dissenting voice.
not To advance, then To appoint com
mittee OF four 10 draw up letter explain
ing to the weayers why the sought-for in
crease would not be made.
This committee consists Of Secretary
Cyrus g. Rousenvillc, Shrovo mills;
Joseph Healy Osborne mills; Simeon B.
Chase, King Philip mills; Joseph A.
Baker, Chase mills. These gentlemen
held IA meeting Immediately after the adj
1ournment of the association meeting,
and discussed what would be the best
form Of Il letter To send to the operatives.
In substance the letter will say That the
manufacturers cannot afford to increase
wages at the present time, because the
margin for n profitable business Is not
large enough to warrant their doing so.
Cotton has advanced rapidly to 81 cents,
and thissharp advance has not been any
more than equa'ized by the advance in
prices for cloth.
Secretary Not Disturbed.
It will make it clear that the profits of
tho past months came wholly from spccu-
lative buying when cotton was cheap. All
mills did not follow this policy; those
that did not have been buying cotton for
some time ut the advanced quotations. 1t
comedies that prospects for steady fall
trade now seem fair, but to advance
wages because OF prospective business
would not only be impolitic, but might
be followed by reductions and serious
troubles later.
The weavers will hold general meeting
tonight, and 1t is thought the letter will
reach Secretary Whitehead before that
time. Secretary Whitehead was not much
disturbed when he heard the news of the
refusal to advance, probably because it
had been foreshadowed pretty accurately
for some days. He could not tell what
the action Of the weavers would be- They
urged their demands when the market
conditions were about the Same as they
are today, and it was not likely they would
finch or go back on it.
Tonight's meeting, he said, would take
some action toward getting the sentiment
of the weavers on the strike question, and
1t is quite certain the result will be known
before q, week. He promised to have more
to say when he learned what reason the
manufacturers had for refusing Two col
lectors OF the union gave their opinion to-
night that there would be no strike.
The action of the state board Of arbitra-
ton and Cancellation In the matter Of the
linen mill strike was made public yester-
day The board sent Secretary Howard
the following: "Since we saw you this
noon the board has had an interview with
John S. Brayton and Philip ID. Borden,
and, being desirous of effecting "a settle
ment If possible, we deem 1t our duty to
inform you wo are fully assured that If the
spinners will return to the mill of the
American Linen company Monday next,
everything will be done by the manage
ment to make the spinning as good as it
can be made for the workmen and the
conditions as favorable as possible for
earning good wages"
Long Strike Predicted.
After Mr.. Wolcott had written this
document, Mr.. Barry said that Mr. Bor-
den looked it over, crossed out the words
resume work" and inserted "apply for
work" The men would not agree to the
proposition with this change, as they con-
sidered there was no need for 1t. They all
left work together and they all intended
to return together, II they did return.
1t was stated at tn Q meeting OF ,spinners
yesterday that the material In the mill Is
so bad that the overseer and two lesser Of
flcials, engaged In running some of the
mules were unable to do 80 until they
had taken the tooth out of the drag, put
In tooth Of heavier yarn and taken the
weights of the faller. It was stated that
IL as much had been done for the regular
spinners there would not have been u
strike. The spinners have concluded that
as no official seems to he able to do any
thing unless Mr.. Borden does 1t, the strike
will be long one; hence the secretary
and president of the Spinners and Card
ers' federation have decided to call
meeting Of that organization next Mon
day night with the view Of making the
fight against the corporation more effec-
tive.
l. sxxl, - A.