The daily morning journal and courier., 1895-04-11
GREAT IS THE REJOICING.
THE IRON WORKS MILLS OF FAIL
 RIVER IN CREASES WAGES.

It Was Unexpected and Has Caused Com
 sternation in Manufacturing Circles as the Mills Are Not in the Association-Ac-
 ton Taken at Meeting of the Strikers Howard is Pleased.
 Fall River, Mass, April 10-The Iron Works Mills posted notices this after noon of an increase in rates of wages
 to the rates paid before August 2O-the increase to take effect April 22
 The mills are not in the Cotton Manu- facturers' association.
 This action was unexpected and has caused consternation in manufacturing circles. When the reduction in wages
 was made last summer the Iron Works Corporation did not at first follow the example set by others in this city.
 After ten weeks strike had proved unsuccessful the operatives of the Iron Works were compelled to get down to the standard made by the Manufactur- ers's association. They have been re- ceiving the highest average wages, how ever, owing to the higher speed of the machinery and character of the work eXacted Manufacturers in gen eral had no reason to expect any move looking toward an increase. They will In all probability be compelled to ad- vance to the rates established by the Iron Works, but no certain statements can be made on this point until a meet ing is called. The late hour at which the notices were posted prevented the fact becoming generally known among manufacturers and brokers until busi- ness had closed for the day Those who learned of it first expressed aston ishment, then gave way to anger in several instances. A few of them be- lieve the increase was dictated by phil anthropic motives.
 One in position to know the situa- ton explained as follows:
 "The Iron Works furnish the Ameri- can Printing company thirty thousand pieces of goods weekly and can un- doubtedly deliver goods into the print works at 10 per cent. cheaper cost than any other print works can receive them. The American Print Works and Iron Works Mills are owned and controlled by M. c. D. Borden of New York
 When news of the advance was first given out 1t was said that the whole scheme was still further to bull the cloth market at this center, While bull ing the market was undoubtedly the cause for the increase, 1t was fully be- lieved that there were other motives ac- tuating the owners of the American mills when the question was decided on. l As stated the news of the advance gave great joy to the operatives, and a visit among them tonight disclosed state of feeling opposing that of the mill | owners. They have been discontented | since the strike and taking steps to- | ward making another demand which | would, in all probability, be backed up l by another strike. So great was the l discontent that many mills have been 1 short of Weavers the past winter, a | condition rarely known here in the | winter season. A weaver, who was | working in the iron works when the | notice was posted, says all workers be- 1 gan shouting joyfully, and there was great good feeling expressed after the mills closed. They consider MT. Bor- den's course a noble, philanthropic one 1 and use most flattering terms in speak ing of him. Secretary Whitehead said 1 the news came to him as a great and surprise. No doubt other mills must follow suit, for weavers would not l work for less than market rate wages 1
 Secretary Howard of the Spinners' union heard the news very early and | was very much gratified by it. He felt l free to say that the margin of profit was not very large at the present time, 1 and when people were being well paid they would work better and get off more and a better production.
 At the spinners' general meeting to- night the news was received with great 'eioicing. Business men are highly elated.
 Some 1,S0o hands will be affected by he increase. They receive now $12, 900 per week in wages.