The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-03-27
A New Phase of the Strike
Situation.
Manufacturers Combine and Notify
Operatives Demands Will Be Useless
Work Will Probably BE Resumed-Ag-
itators Know Not Where They Arc.
1HE NEWS BUREAU, OLSEyvILLE,
No g. Hartford Avenue.

No g. Hartford Avenue.S
The restless condition of the help in
the Olneyville mills, which has been be-
coming apparent for the past three weeks,
has prompted the combine of the owners
OF the Weybosset, Manton, Saxon, River
side and National Worsted mills, manu-
facturers of woolens and worsted goods,
to psotect themselves against demand for
an increase of wages which they feel the
market does not warrant at this time. III
is generally admitted that IL was the in
tention of the district council to formu-
late a schedule of wages at an increase
over the present pay at their next regular
meeting, which is TO be held Saturday o;
this week.
This morning the following notice was
posted in the mills above referred to:
Whereas, The Manufacturers Club have
found the help in the various mills moving in
the matter of increased wages, ,inciting strikein
different departments and striking in some OF
our mills SO as TO close them down and threat
ening general disturbance so that we are
not safe In transacting our business OH the
present very close margin, we have after
careful elaboration, and for the good of all
Guided H neip that we wen must Sct as 1n %
and notify our help that we cannot.
under present market prices, increase
wages. Careful investigation shows that our
prices TO labor average with the highest of
any mills in the country, and higher than the
majority. IL is, therefore, our conclusion that
unless our help, including the TWO mills at
present struck, are satisfied TO work at pres
ent wages. we shall all close down on Monday,
April sth. 1895. until such time as the present
wages are accepted by all our employes.
This action on the part of the manu-
facturers has put the labor leaders into
sort of maze and they are seemingly at
sea as to what future advice to give the
great body of wage earners, who are
usually ready TO follow them.
As the manufacturers have given their
ultimatum, the heads of large families of
operatives are inclined to accept the con-
ditions.
The general help OF Wey bosset Mill will
meet this evening and it is expected they
will decide to go to work tomorrow
morning. The dresser tenders " no struck
at that mill, Monday afternoon, are at
their work today as IL nothing had hap
pened. They decline to talk and the man
ayers at the Office have nothing TO say in
regard to the terms on which they re-
turned, but IL Is supposed they return on
the wages they received when they went
out.
After three weeks of idleness the Man.
ton Mill operatives have decid to return
to their work tomorrow morning. This
was brought about at the conference at
Holdens Hall in Manton, yesterday after
noon, where III. A. Kim bail, the owner of
the mill, addressed the meeting on request
OF the strikers and plainly demonstrated
TO them that raise could not be given on
the present condition of the market.
The Manton help are meeting today to
form union of all employees of that
place. They have not heretofore been
connected with any union. They are
meeting in the Textile Union Hall In
Olneyville, and whether they will connect
themselves with Federation of Labor or
the Textile Union Is the only point to be
settled upon.
Building Boom.
During the past year there was but
little building in the Olneyville district
of Johnston.
From indications there appears to be
much more activity this Spring as already
ground is being broken for Others. Ex-
Councilman Collision is about to erect
cottage on Dyer avenue, where he will re-
side.
John Maher has contracted with Mar
tin Mann for the erection OF two-family
house on the same avenue. Harry Cooper
will build at once on Princeton street and
several new houses are about completed
on Lawrence street.
Charles Chadbourne is to alter the
house at 29S Plainfield into q block with
two stores and probably John Page will
do the same with his property at 341
Plainfeld.
Al t0e corner OF latnam 6nu
streets Luke Hanley will erect business
block during the season that will be OF
extensive proportions.
Daughters of st. George.
Prosperity Lodge, Daughters of st.
George, held a meeting in Guild Hall last
evening. President Margaret Callahan
presided and Il very interesting session is
reported.
Misses Brooks, Rutter and Martin were
appointed n committee to arrange for the
sixth annual tea party and concert on
May 1.
Two members were reported sick. The
Citizens party have filed the name of
Harrison 4. Winsor for commissioner OF
highways.
Odd Fellows Meeting.
Manufacturers Lodge held an interest
ing meeting at their lodge room last even
ing. The third degree was conferred on
two candidates, and two propositions for
mem bership were received. Fifty men,
bers OF Crescent Lodge, accompanied
by the grand master, paid the lodge
surprise visit, and the evening
was enjoyably spent in listening to a
string band which accompanied Crescent
Lodge; piano solos, singing and remarks
by the members.
Manufacturers Lodge has accepted an
invitation to accompany Canonicus Lodge
10 church service at the Church of the
Mediator April !.
The social committee have completed
arrangements for the social on Friday
evening OF this week.